In 2 Samuel 12:22, David explains his fasting: he hoped God might relent. This gives insight into his actions in 12:16.

2 Samuel 13:31 shows David tearing clothes and lying on the ground in grief — the same posture as his fasting here.

In Joshua 7:6, Joshua also falls face down before the Lord all day in distress—a parallel posture of desperate prayer.

In 1 Kings 18:42, Elijah bows low with face between knees in fervent prayer—a similar physical posture of intercession.

Job 1:20 describes Job falling to the ground in worship and grief after losing his children—a parallel mourning posture.

Daniel 6:18 shows King Darius fasting and spending the night sleepless in anxiety for Daniel—a parallel night of distress.

In Joel 1:13, priests are called to lament and lie in sackcloth—a formal call to mourning similar to David's actions.