16. So David went without eating to show his sorrow, and he begged God to make the boy well. David would not sleep on his bed, but spent each night lying on the floor.
17. His officials stood beside him and tried to talk him into getting up. But he would not get up or eat with them.
18. After the child had been sick for seven days, he died, but the officials were afraid to tell David. They said to each other, “Even when the boy was alive, David wouldn't listen to us. How can we tell him his son is dead? He might do something terrible!”
19. David noticed his servants whispering, and he knew the boy was dead. “Has my son died?” he asked his servants.“Yes, he has,” they answered.
20. David got up off the floor; he took a bath, combed his hair, and dressed. He went into the Lord's tent and worshipped, then he went back home. David asked for something to eat, and when his servants brought him some food, he ate it.
21. His officials said, “What are you doing? You went without eating and cried for your son while he was alive! But now that he's dead, you're up and eating.”
22. David answered:While he was still alive, I went without food and cried because there was still hope. I said to myself, “Who knows? Perhaps the Lord will have pity on me and let the child live.”
23. But now that he's dead, why should I go without eating? I can't bring him back! Some day I will join him in death, but he can't return to me.
24. David comforted his wife Bathsheba and slept with her. Later on, she gave birth to another son and named him Solomon. The Lord loved Solomon
25. and sent Nathan the prophet to tell David, “The Lord will call him Jedidiah.”
26. Meanwhile, Joab had been in the country of Ammon, attacking the city of Rabbah. He captured the royal fortress
27. and sent a messenger to tell David:I have attacked Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding the city water supply.
28. Call the rest of the army together. Then surround the city, and capture it yourself. If you don't, everyone will remember that I captured the city.
29. David called the rest of the army together and attacked Rabbah. He captured the city
30. and took the crown from the statue of their god Milcom. The crown was made of about thirty-five kilogrammes of gold, and there was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his own crown. He also carried off everything else of value.