Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible 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. NASB 1995 The 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. NASB 1977 And the 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. Legacy Standard Bible And the 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. Amplified Bible The elders of his household stood by him [in the night] to lift him up from the ground, but he was unwilling [to get up] and would not eat food with them. Christian Standard Bible 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible 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. American Standard Version And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. Contemporary English Version His officials stood beside him and tried to talk him into getting up. But he would not get up or eat with them. English Revised Version And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. GOD'S WORD® Translation The older leaders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling. And he wouldn't eat with them. Good News Translation His court officials went to him and tried to make him get up, but he refused and would not eat anything with them. International Standard Version His closest advisors at the palace got up, remained with him, and tried to help him get up from the ground, but he would not do so. He also wouldn't eat with them. Majority Standard Bible The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. NET Bible The elders of his house stood over him and tried to lift him from the ground, but he was unwilling, and refused to eat food with them. New Heart English Bible And the elders of his house approached him to lift him up from the ground, but he was unwilling, and he would not eat food with them. Webster's Bible Translation And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. World English Bible The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, and he didn’t eat bread with them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd [the] elderly of his house rise against him, to raise him up from the earth, and he has not been willing, nor has he eaten bread with them; Young's Literal Translation And the elders of his house rise against him, to raise him up from the earth, and he hath not been willing, nor hath he eaten with them bread; Smith's Literal Translation And the old men of his house will rise to him to lift him up from the earth; and he would not, and he ate not bread with them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the ancients of his house came, to make him rise from the ground: but he would not, neither did he eat meat with them. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the elders of his house came, urging him to rise up from the ground. And he was not willing, nor would he eat a meal with them. New American Bible The elders of his house stood beside him to get him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them. New Revised Standard Version The elders of his house stood beside him, urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the eiders of his household arose and tried to raise him up from the ground, but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Elders of his household arose to raise him up from the ground, and he was not willing, and he did not eat bread with them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the elders of his house arose and went to him to raise him up from the ground, but he would not rise, nor did he eat bread with them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Loss and Repentance…16David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. 18On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.”… Cross References Psalm 35:13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. Jonah 3:5-9 And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ... Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” Daniel 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Joel 2:12-13 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Acts 9:9 For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything. 1 Kings 21:27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. Ezra 8:21-23 And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. / For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” / So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request. Matthew 9:14-15 Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Isaiah 58:3-5 “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? Mark 2:18-20 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Luke 5:33-35 Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” 1 Samuel 7:6 When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. Treasury of Scripture 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. the elders 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. 1 Samuel 28:23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. Jump to Previous Ate Bread Chief Earth Eat Eaten Elders Food Ground House Household Order Raise Refused Rise Side Stood Unwilling WillingJump to Next Ate Bread Chief Earth Eat Eaten Elders Food Ground House Household Order Raise Refused Rise Side Stood Unwilling Willing2 Samuel 12 1. Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.7. David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned 15. David mourns and prays for the child while it lives 24. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah 26. David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof The elders of his household stood beside him In ancient Israel, elders were respected leaders and advisors within a household or community. They often held positions of authority and were responsible for providing guidance and support. In this context, the elders of David's household were likely senior servants or officials who had the responsibility to care for the king during his time of distress. Their presence indicates the seriousness of the situation and the communal concern for David's well-being. to help him up from the ground but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is in deep mourning and repentance after the prophet Nathan confronts him about his sin with Bathsheba. 2. Elders of David's Household These are the senior officials or advisors in David's court, who attempt to comfort and assist him during his time of distress. 3. The Ground Symbolic of David's humility and repentance, as he lays prostrate in prayer and fasting. 4. Fasting David's refusal to eat is an expression of his deep sorrow and plea for God's mercy. 5. Nathan's Confrontation The event preceding this verse, where the prophet Nathan reveals God's judgment on David for his sin. Teaching Points The Weight of Sin and RepentanceDavid's actions demonstrate the seriousness of sin and the depth of true repentance. Believers are called to acknowledge their sins and seek God's forgiveness earnestly. The Role of Community in Times of Distress The elders' presence shows the importance of having a supportive community during difficult times. Christians should surround themselves with godly counsel and support. Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline David's fasting is a model for using fasting as a means to draw closer to God, especially in times of crisis or repentance. Humility Before God David's posture on the ground is a physical manifestation of his humility. Believers are encouraged to humble themselves before God, recognizing their dependence on His grace. God's Mercy and Forgiveness Despite David's sin, his account is a testament to God's willingness to forgive those who truly repent. This offers hope and assurance to all believers. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The eldersזִקְנֵ֤י (ziq·nê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old of his household בֵיתוֹ֙ (ḇê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house stood וַיָּקֻ֜מוּ (way·yā·qu·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand beside him עָלָ֔יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against to help him up לַהֲקִימ֖וֹ (la·hă·qî·mōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the ground, הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land but he was unwilling וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no and would not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no eat בָרָ֥א (ḇā·rā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1254: To create, to cut down, select, feed anything with them. אִתָּ֖ם (’it·tām) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among Links 2 Samuel 12:17 NIV2 Samuel 12:17 NLT 2 Samuel 12:17 ESV 2 Samuel 12:17 NASB 2 Samuel 12:17 KJV 2 Samuel 12:17 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 12:17 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 12:17 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 12:17 French Bible 2 Samuel 12:17 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 12:17 The elders of his house arose (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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