C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on 2 Samuel 12:16-17

2Sa 12:16-17

Then David sought God (in prayer) for the boy, and fasted, and went and lay all night upon the earth. וּבא, “he came,” not into the sanctuary of the Lord (2Sa 12:20 is proof to the contrary), but into his house, or into his chamber, to pour out his heart before God, and bend beneath His chastising hand, and refused the appeal of his most confidential servants, who tried to raise him up, and strengthen him with food. “The elders of his house,” judging from Gen 24:2, were the oldest and most confidential servants, “the most highly honoured of his servants, and those who had the greatest influence with him” (Clericus).