They couldn’t understand.

King David's servants couldn't understand.

How could King David weep and fast while his severely ill child was alive,

and then rise and eat after the child died?

(2 Samuel 12:21).

David's response was, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept.

I thought, 'Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.'

But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting?

Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (vv. 22-23).

However, I recall that when my firstborn, Charis, was alive,

I didn't cry or lose my appetite but ate well.

 After the child died, I wept bitterly and lost my appetite.