14 Nevertheless, because thou hast given great cause to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme through this thing, the child also that hath been born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan went to his house; and the Lord struck the child that Uriyahs wife had born unto David, that it became very sick.

16 And David besought God in behalf of the lad; and David kept a fast, and came home, and lay over night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of the house arose about him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, and he did not partake of any bread with them.

18 And it came to pass 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 yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not hearken to our voice: how then shall we say to him, The child is dead! he might do himself a hurt.

19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, David understood that the child was dead; wherefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? and they said, he is dead.

20 David then rose up from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his garments, and went into the house of the Lord and prostrated himself; and then he came to his own house, and asked that they should set food before him, and he ate.

21 And his servants then said unto him, What is this thing which thou hast done? On account of the child when living thou didst fast and weep; but as soon as the child was dead thou didst arise and eat bread!

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; because I said, Who knoweth, but that the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast then? can I restore him again? I am going to him; but he will not return to me.

24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and he went in unto her, and lay with her; and she bore a son, and called his name Solomon; and the Lord loved him.