Yes—a believing parent can expect to see a deceased child again, just as David said he would go to his child.
After Bathsheba's child died, David stopped mourning and said he could not bring the child back, but "I shall go to him" (2 Samuel 12:23). Les Feldick teaches that David was expressing his belief in resurrection life. Paul likewise tells believers they do not sorrow as those who have no hope, and Les assures us we will see, know, and recognize our loved ones in eternity.
2 Samuel 12:22-23 — David's own words after his child's death directly express his expectation of going to the child.
Job 19:25-26 — Job's confession demonstrates that Old Testament saints looked forward to resurrection in their flesh.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 — Paul tells believers not to grieve as those without hope because departed believers will be brought back with Jesus.
When King David's child by Bathsheba became sick and died, David mourned and fasted while the child was alive. But once the child died, David washed, anointed himself, and worshiped. He explained, "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:22-23). This is a clear Old Testament expression of a future reunion: David expected to go to his child, not the child to return to him. The Old Testament saints understood resurrection. Job said, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26). In the New Testament, Paul instructs believers, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). The resurrection is the basis for seeing our departed loved ones again.
Les Feldick points to David as an Old Testament example of resurrection hope. When David lost the child from Bathsheba, he wept for seven days, but eventually came to realize he could not bring the child back; rather, he would go to the child. Les calls this a reference to "resurrection life." He also notes that Job used similar language—"I know that my Redeemer liveth"—to show that Old Testament saints believed in resurrection. In his teaching on 1 Corinthians 15, Les says the believer's spirit and soul go immediately into the presence of Christ at death, where they wait for the day of resurrection to be reunited with the resurrected body. So the comfort for the grieving parent is not merely sentimental; it rests on the certainty of the resurrection. Les also addresses grief directly. He says believers certainly may mourn and weep at the loss of loved ones; it is wrong to put on a "bold front" and pretend not to feel loss. But—using Paul's words—believers do not "sorrow as those who have no hope," because we know we will see our loved ones again. As proof that we will recognize one another in eternity, Les points to the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John immediately recognized Moses and Elijah even though they lived thousands of years earlier.
After seven days of mourning, David realized that no amount of fasting could bring the child back. His words "I shall go to him" show his expectation of joining the child in the afterlife. Les Feldick explains that David was speaking of resurrection life—not just the grave, but the certainty that he and his child would be together again.
Les answers this question using the Mount of Transfiguration. When Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, Peter, James, and John did not have to ask who they were—they knew them. Les says this is proof that in eternity we will see, know, and recognize our loved ones.
Les is emphatic that mourning is not wrong. He says it is "ridiculous" for Christians to try to put on a bold front and say because they believe in resurrection they don't have to cry. We mourn the loss of our loved ones, and that is absolutely correct. What the believer does not do is wail and carry on for days as those who have no hope, because we know we will see them again.
Les frequently clarifies that the Old Testament and Gospels are not where we find church doctrine, but that does not mean we don't study them. Using Paul's words that everything written aforetime was written for our learning, he says the Old Testament is for the believer's learning, application, comfort, and hope. The account of David's child is a foundational truth with real comfort for grieving parents.
Old Testament Written for Our Learning
Les says even though the Old Testament doesn't contain church doctrine, it remains for the believer's learning and application—so David's story can still comfort us.
Believers Don't Sorrow as Those With No Hope
Les applies Paul's teaching to the loss of loved ones: believers sorrow, but not as those who have no hope, because they know they will see believing loved ones again.
David Would Go to His Child
After mourning seven days, David realized he couldn't bring the child back, but he would go to him—Les says this was David's understanding of resurrection.
What Shall We Do? Acts 2 & God's Foreknowledge Explained
David is not referring to himself, he is quoting Christ, had he been in those situations. And I'll show that to you here in just a moment. So he quotes the Psalms where David says, "...because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer, or permit thy holy one to seek corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
David Spoke of Resurrection Life
Les pairs David's "I'll go to him" with Job's 'Redeemer liveth' to show Old Testament saints looked forward to resurrection life.
Believers Await Reunited Body at Resurrection
Les explains that at death the believer's spirit/soul goes to Christ's presence and waits for resurrection to be reunited with the resurrected body.
Mourning Is Normal and Correct for Believers
Les says believers can and should mourn the loss of loved ones; it's wrong to pretend we don't feel the loss, but we don't wail as those with no hope.
Proof We Will Recognize Loved Ones in Eternity
Les points to the Transfiguration—Peter, James, and John instantly recognized Moses and Elijah—as proof that we will see, know, and recognize our loved ones in eternity.
2 Samuel 12:22-23: And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
David's own words after his child's death express his expectation of going to the child.
Job 19:25-26: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job's confession shows Old Testament belief in a future bodily resurrection.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Paul tells believers they need not grieve without hope because those who sleep in Jesus will return with Him.
Yes. David said after his child died, "I shall go to him," indicating a future reunion. Les Feldick teaches this was David's belief in resurrection, and Paul's teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4 confirms believers will be reunited with their believing loved ones.
Yes. Les Feldick says believers absolutely may mourn the loss of loved ones and it is "ridiculous" to pretend otherwise. What believers don't do is sorrow as those who have no hope, because they know they will see their loved ones again.
Les uses the Mount of Transfiguration as proof. Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elijah without being told who they were, showing that recognition continues in the eternal state.
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