David’s servants fear telling him of the child’s death because they anticipate his sorrow could lead to drastic measures.
Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David 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 our voice; how then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm?” (v.18) This verse takes place in the aftermath of King David’s sin with Bathsheba, which is described earlier in 2 Samuel 11-12. David, who reigned from approximately 1010 BC to 970 BC, had been fasting and praying for the life of the child born of his transgression. When it says “the child died on the seventh day” (v.18), it highlights the finality of God’s judgment in this tragic situation. Although Jerusalem is not mentioned explicitly in this particular verse, David is living there at this time, serving as ruler over Israel from the capital city nestled in the Judean hills.
The servants’ reaction—“they were afraid to tell him that the child was dead” (v.18)—reveals their concern that David’s grief and remorse might become overwhelming. Their apprehension shows the depth of David’s emotional state, remembering how he had been too grieved to respond while the child was still alive. This moment contrasts with David’s earlier lack of awareness about his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-7), showing how dramatically his heart has changed. In the Bible, we also see that grief can sometimes drive people to desperate actions, akin to how Jesus recognizes the pain in mourning when He comforts the sorrowful (Matthew 5:4).
Furthermore, the servants’ statement—“how then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm?” (v.18)—shows their fear that the king might succumb to despair. Their desire to protect David indicates both his honorable status and their genuine care for his well-being. This poignant scene sets the stage for David’s remarkable response, which follows immediately, as he ultimately submits to God in worship despite losing his child (2 Samuel 12:20). David’s acceptance prefigures a heart that, while still flawed, is shaped by repentance—a foreshadow of ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-24).
Set to dark mode
2 Samuel 12:18 meaning
Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David 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 our voice; how then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm?” (v.18) This verse takes place in the aftermath of King David’s sin with Bathsheba, which is described earlier in 2 Samuel 11-12. David, who reigned from approximately 1010 BC to 970 BC, had been fasting and praying for the life of the child born of his transgression. When it says “the child died on the seventh day” (v.18), it highlights the finality of God’s judgment in this tragic situation. Although Jerusalem is not mentioned explicitly in this particular verse, David is living there at this time, serving as ruler over Israel from the capital city nestled in the Judean hills.
The servants’ reaction—“they were afraid to tell him that the child was dead” (v.18)—reveals their concern that David’s grief and remorse might become overwhelming. Their apprehension shows the depth of David’s emotional state, remembering how he had been too grieved to respond while the child was still alive. This moment contrasts with David’s earlier lack of awareness about his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-7), showing how dramatically his heart has changed. In the Bible, we also see that grief can sometimes drive people to desperate actions, akin to how Jesus recognizes the pain in mourning when He comforts the sorrowful (Matthew 5:4).
Furthermore, the servants’ statement—“how then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm?” (v.18)—shows their fear that the king might succumb to despair. Their desire to protect David indicates both his honorable status and their genuine care for his well-being. This poignant scene sets the stage for David’s remarkable response, which follows immediately, as he ultimately submits to God in worship despite losing his child (2 Samuel 12:20). David’s acceptance prefigures a heart that, while still flawed, is shaped by repentance—a foreshadow of ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-24).