God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 12:20
20So David got up from the ground, bathed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the Lord’s house and worshiped. Then he went home and asked for food. They placed food in front of him, and he ate.
2 Samuel 12:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
- New International Version (NIV)Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
Context of 2 Samuel 12:20
18On the seventh day the child died. But David’s officials were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought, “While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he wouldn’t listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm ⌞himself⌟.” 19But when David saw that his officials were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” David asked them. “⌞Yes,⌟ he is dead,” they answered. So David got up from the ground, bathed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the Lord’s house and worshiped. Then he went home and asked for food. They placed food in front of him, and he ate. 21His officials asked him, “Why are you acting this way? You fasted and cried over the child when he was alive. But as soon as the child died, you got up and ate.” 22David answered, “As long as the child was alive, I fasted and cried. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’
Read all of 2 Samuel 122 Samuel 12:20 word by word
וַיָּקָם֩ דָּוִ֨ד מֵהָאָ֜רֶץ וַיִּרְחַ֣ץ וַיָּ֗סֶךְ וַיְחַלֵּף֙ שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו וַיָּבֹ֥א בֵית־יְהוָ֖ה וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־בֵּית֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁאַ֕ל וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ ל֛וֹ לֶ֖חֶם וַיֹּאכַֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
- aroseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
- from the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
- and washedרָחַץrâchats · to wash: washH7364
- and anointedסוּךְsûk · to anointH5480
- and changedחָלַףchâlaph · to passH2498
- his apparelשִׂמְלָהώimlâh · mantleH8071
- and cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- into the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: templeH1004
- of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- and worshippedשָׁחָהshâchâh · to bowH7812
- to his own houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004
- and when he requiredשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
- they setשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: makeH7760
- breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · foodH3899
- before him, and he did eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 12:20
- Job 1:20Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.
- Job 2:10He said to her, “You’re talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Shouldn’t we also accept the bad?” Through all this Job’s lips did not utter one sinful word.
- Psalms 39:9I remained speechless. I did not open my mouth because you are the one who has done this.
- Lamentations 3:39“Why should any living mortal (any person) complain about being punished for sin?
- Ruth 3:3Freshen up, put on some perfume, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor. Don’t let him know that you’re there until he’s finished eating and drinking.
- Ecclesiastes 9:8Always wear clean clothes, and never go without lotion on your head.
- 2 Samuel 6:17The men carrying the ark set it in its place inside the tent David had put up for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in the Lord’s presence.
- 2 Samuel 7:18King David went into the tent and sat in front of the Lord. “Who am I, Almighty Lord,” he asked, “and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far?
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 12:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20David arose from the earth, and washed - Bathing, anointing the body, and changing the apparel, are the first outward signs among the Hindoos of coming out of a state of mourning or sickness.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-25Verses 15-25 David now penned the 51st Psalm, in which, though he had been assured that his sin was pardoned, he prays earnestly for pardon, and greatly laments his sin. He was willing to bear the shame of it, to have it ever before him, to be continually upbraided with it. God gives us leave to be earnest with him in prayer for particular blessings, from trust in his power and general mercy, though we have no particular promise to build upon. David…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The series of actions described here show David resuming normal life activities. That he did so this soon after his son’s death amazed his advisers s (2 Samuel 12:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-2315-23. the Lord struck the child ... and it was very sick--The first visible chastisement inflicted on David appeared on the person of that child which was the evidence and monument of his guilt. His domestics were surprised at his conduct, and in explanation of its singularity, it is necessary to remark that the custom in the East is to leave the nearest relative of a deceased person to the full and undisturbed indulgence of his grief, till on the third…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 12:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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