^{16 Ref} So David made prayer to God for the child; and he took no food day after day, and went in and, stretching himself out on the earth, was there all night.

^{17 Ref} And the chief men of his house got up and went to his side to make him get up from the earth, but he would not; and he would not take food with them.

^{18 Ref} And then on the seventh day the child's death took place. And David's servants were in fear of giving him the news of the child's death: for they said, Truly, while the child was still living he gave no attention when we said anything to him: what will he do to himself if we give him word that the child is dead?

¹⁹ But when David saw that his servants were talking together quietly, he was certain that the child was dead: and he said to his servants, Is the child dead? and they said, He is.

^{20 Ref} Then David got up from the earth, and after washing and rubbing himself with oil and changing his clothing, he went into the house of the Lord and gave worship: then he went back to his house, and at his order they put food before him and he had a meal.