And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
Ver. 18. And it came to pass on the seventh day,] viz., Of the child's sickness, a critical day; or, After his birth, and then he died without circumcision, and yet was saved. 2Sa 12:23 Gratia non est alligata symbolis, God's grace is not tied unto the signs.
That the child died.] Repentance may come too late in respect of temporal chastisements, 1Co 11:32 which yet are not penal but medicinal. Thus Moses and Aaron were kept out of Canaan for their disobedience at the waters of Meribah.