2 Samuel 12:18-23

18Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And David’s servants 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 1us. 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 got up from the ground, 2washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and 3worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and when he asked, they served him food, and he ate.

21Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was 4alive; but when the child died, you got up and ate food.” 22And he said, “While the child was still alive, 5I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘6Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, and the child may live.’ 23But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? 7I am going to him, but 8he will not return to me.”