KJV ORIGINAL
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
And he said, 'While the child was still alive, I fasted and cried, because I thought, Who knows? Maybe God will show me mercy and let the child live.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
David is explaining why he fasted and wept while his son was dying - he hoped God might show mercy and spare the child's life.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes after the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. As punishment, God declared that the child born from their affair would die. David spent seven days fasting and pleading with God, hoping against hope that God might relent and spare his son's life.
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