Nathan had told David that the son born through his sin with Bathsheba would die (v. 14). But that did not stop David from pleading with God for the child’s life. When David’s son became ill, David fasted and prayed to God for days. But when the child died, David got up, washed, anointed himself, changed clothes, and worshipped God. Afterward, he returned home and ate.

When his servants saw this, they asked David about his behavior; they expected David to fast after the child had died, not before it. We need to notice something quite important about David’s response in verse 22. David did not plead with God that His actions were unfair. Neither did David attempt to barter with God for the life of his son. Instead, he threw himself on the mercy of God, recognizing that the Lord might be gracious to him.

And in this we see an example of the proper posture for pleading with God. We don’t plead with God as some form of manipulation; we plead in humility, trusting in the character of God and ready to worship Him no matter the outcome. 

What are you pleading with God for today? What is your posture?