David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground.
Nathan, having delivered his message, staid not at court, but went home, probably to pray for David, to whom he had been preaching. God, in making use of him as an instrument to bring David to repentance, and as the herald both of mercy and judgment, put an honour upon the ministry, and magnified his word above all his name.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 12:15-25
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth,.... To persuade him to rise up, and sit upon a seat, and go to bed, after having taken some food; these were some of the chief officers at court, and had the management of the affairs of his household: but he would not; they could not persuade...
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. (i) That is, to his private chamber.