Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 12:20
Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
20. washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel ] He laid aside all the outward signs of mourning. Cp. Mat 6:17.
anointed himself ] Anointing the head and body with oil was and still is the regular practice in Eastern countries. It was believed to contribute to health and cleanliness. Its discontinuance was a mark of mourning. Cp. ch. 2Sa 14:2; Isa 61:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. David arose from the earth, and washed] Bathing, anointing the body, and changing the apparel, are the first outward signs among the Hindoos of coming out of a state of mourning or sickness.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Into the house of the Lord, i. e. to the tabernacle, to confess his sin before the Lord, and to own his justice in this stroke and the other threatenings, and to deprecate his great and just displeasure, and to acknowledge Gods rich mercy in sparing his own life, and to offer such sacrifices as were proper and required in such cases. Nor did David transgress that law, Num 19:14, in going thither before the seven days were expired. For neither is there the same reason of a tent, and of a dwelling-house, where the several rooms of the house are as distinct as several tents; nor is it here said, that David was in the same room, or in the same house, where the child died.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then David arose from the earth,…. From the floor on which he lay:
and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel; neither of which he had done during his time of fasting:
and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped; went into the tabernacle he had built for the ark of God, and then in prayer submitted himself to the will of God, and acknowledged his justice in what he had done; gave thanks to God that he had brought him to a sense of his sin, and repentance for it, and had applied his pardoning grace to him, and given him satisfaction as to the eternal welfare and happiness of the child, as appears from 2Sa 12:23;
then he, came to his own house; from the house of God, having finished his devotion there:
and when he required; ordered food to be brought in:
they set bread before him, and he did eat: whereas before, while the child was living, he refused to eat.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
20. Washed anointed changed his apparel The common custom in the East after a period of mourning, for not only the apparel, but the person, becomes unclean by prostration on the ground.
Came into the house of the Lord Went from his own house, where he had wept and fasted, to the sanctuary, where the ark abode.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Sa 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
Ver. 20. Then David arose from the earth. ] When God hath signified his will, he patiently submitteth, and acquiesceth therein. Grief for losses that are past hope of recovery, is more sullen than useful. A godly man saith Amen to God’s Amen; and putteth his fiat and placet to God’s. Act 21:14
And came into the house of the Lord.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
arose: Job 1:20, Job 2:10, Psa 39:9, Lam 3:39-41
anointed: Rth 3:3, Ecc 9:8
the house: 2Sa 6:17, 2Sa 7:18, Job 1:20
Reciprocal: Luk 17:8 – Make 1Th 4:13 – ye sorrow
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 12:20. David arose from the earth and changed his apparel Put off the habit of a mourner, and prepared himself to appear before God. And came into the house of the Lord That is, to the tabernacle, to confess his sin before the Lord, to own his justice in this stroke, to deprecate his just displeasure, to acknowledge Gods rich mercy in sparing his own life, and to offer such sacrifices as were required in such cases.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:20 Then David {l} arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
(l) Showing that our lamentations should not be excessive, but moderate: and that we must praise God in all his doings.