2 Samuel 12:17
ESV
And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.
NIV
The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
NASB
The elders of his household stood beside him in order to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.
CSB
The elders of his house stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.
NLT
The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused.
KJV
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
NKJV
So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.
What does 2 Samuel 12:17 mean?
The Lord has revealed that David's illegitimate child with Bathsheba will die as a direct punishment for David's God-mocking sins of adultery, murder, and abuse of the power and authority God gave to him as king (2 Samuel 12:14). Soon, the baby falls sick (2 Samuel 12:15).David knows God is merciful (Psalm 51). God has already heard David's repentance and forgiven him. He won't die for his murder and adultery (2 Samuel 12:13). David hopes God will take away this curse, as well. David begins an impassioned and urgent campaign of prayer, asking the Lord to spare his son. He fasts from food and lies face-down before the Lord all night, denying himself nourishment and rest to prove how serious his request is to him (2 Samuel 12:16).
David's advisors are concerned. These men are personally responsible for keeping the King of Israel healthy so he can carry out his duties. They want to pick the king up off the ground and get him fed before he's too sickly to function. David refuses them, continuing to pray that the Lord would spare his son from this consequence of his own sin.
On the seventh day, the boy dies. David rises, cleans himself up, and has a meal. He has accepted countless undeserved blessings from God with great thankfulness. He will accept the discipline he deserves, as well. He knows he'll see the child in the afterlife (2 Samuel 12:18–23).
