Bible/2 Samuel/12

2 Samuel 12:18

12:17 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.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? vex: Heb. do hurt

KJV

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On the seventh day, the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?”

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

12:19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

What does 2 Samuel 12:18 mean?

2 Samuel 12:18 is a verse in the book of 2 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy), יוֹם (yôwm), יֶלֶד (yeled). It connects to 22 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
it
came
to
pass
on
the
seventhשְׁבִיעִיshᵉbîyʻîy/sheb-ee-ee'/H7637seventh
day,יוֹםyôwm/yome/H3117a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
that
the
childיֶלֶדyeled/yeh'-led/H3206something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
died.מוּתmûwth/mooth/H4191to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
And
the
servantsעֶבֶדʻebed/eh'-bed/H5650a servant
of
DavidדָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse
fearedיָרֵאyârêʼ/yaw-ray'/H3372to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
to
tellנָגַדnâgad/naw-gad'/H5046properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
him
that
the
childיֶלֶדyeled/yeh'-led/H3206something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
was
dead:מוּתmûwth/mooth/H4191to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
for
they
said,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
Behold,
while
the
childיֶלֶדyeled/yeh'-led/H3206something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
was
yet
alive,חַיchay/khah'-ee/H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
we
spakeדָבַרdâbar/daw-bar'/H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
unto
him,
and
he
would
not
hearkenשָׁמַעshâmaʻ/shaw-mah'/H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
unto
our
voice:קוֹלqôwl/kole/H6963a voice or sound
how
will
he
thenעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
vexרַעraʻ/rah/H7451bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
himself,עָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
if
we
tellאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
him
that
the
childיֶלֶדyeled/yeh'-led/H3206something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
is
dead?מוּתmûwth/mooth/H4191to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
vex:
Heb.
do
hurt

Commentary on 2 Samuel 12:18

HENRY_FULL · 2 Samuel 12:18
hapter How far Abner's deserting the house of Saul, his murder, and the murder of Ish-bosheth, might contribute to the perfecting of the revolution, and the establishing of David as king over all Israel, does not appear; but, it should seem, that happy change followed presently thereupon, which in this chapter we have an account of. Here is, I. David anointed king by all the tribes, ver. 1-5 . II. Making himself master of the strong-hold of Zion, ver. 6-10 . III. Building himself a house and strengthening himself in his kingdom, ver. 11, 12 . IV. His children that were born after this, ver. 13-16 . V. His victories over the Philistines, ver. 17-25 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Numbers 27:17

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

1 Samuel 9:16

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Samuel 13:14

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

1 Samuel 16:1

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

1 Samuel 16:12

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. of a: Heb. fair of eyes

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 18:13

Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

1 Samuel 18:16

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

1 Samuel 25:28

I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

1 Samuel 25:30

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

2 Samuel 7:7

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? any of: any of the judges

2 Kings 20:5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 55:4

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

Ezekiel 34:23Ezekiel 37:24Ezekiel 37:25Micah 5:4Matthew 2:6John 10:3John 10:4John 10:11Hebrews 2:10

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People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Samuel 12:18.

1 Samuel 22:17

And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. footmen: or, guard: Heb. runners

1 Samuel 17:34

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: lamb: or, kid

1 Samuel 4:20

And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. neither: Heb. set not her heart

2 Samuel 11:1

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. after: Heb. at the return of the year

2 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. have: or, will you not, since I have commanded you? valiant: Heb. sons of valour

2 Samuel 19:6

In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. in: Heb. By loving, etc that thou regardest: Heb. that princes or servants are not to thee

2 Samuel 2:15

Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

2 Samuel 2:30

And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Samuel 12:18 say?

2 Samuel 12:18 (King James Version) reads: "And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? vex: Heb. do hurt"

Is 2 Samuel 12:18 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Samuel 12:18 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Samuel.

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