2 Samuel 12:16-22

16David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David 1fasted and went and 2lay all night on the ground. 173The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them. 18Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!” 19But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20So David arose from the ground, 4washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and 5worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.

21Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? 6While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22He said, “While the child was still alive, 7I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘8Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’