15. Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's widow bore to David, and he was very sick.
16. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted and went in and lay all night [repeatedly] on the floor.
17. His older house servants arose [in the night] and went to him to raise him up from the floor, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.
18. And on the seventh day the child died. David's servants feared to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, While the child was yet alive, we spoke to him and he would not listen to our voices; will he then harm himself if we tell him the child is dead?
19. But when David saw that his servants whispered, he perceived that the child was dead. So he said to them, Is the child dead? And they said, He is.
20. Then David arose from the floor, washed, anointed himself, changed his apparel, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.
21. Then his servants said to him, What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept while the child was alive, but when the child was dead, you arose and ate food.
22. David said, While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live?
23. But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
24. David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went to her and lay with her; and she bore a son, and she called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved [the child];
25. He sent [a message] by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and [Nathan] called the boy's [special] name Jedidiah [beloved of the Lord], because the Lord [loved the child].
26. Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city.
27. And Joab sent messengers to David and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
28. Now therefore assemble the rest of the men, encamp against the city, and take it, lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.