1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich [man] had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor [man] had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, [As] the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this [thing] shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
17 And the elders of his house arose, [and went] to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18 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?
19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing [is] this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, [while it was] alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22 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?
23 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.
24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30 And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof [was] a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was [set] on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
31 And he brought forth the people that [were] therein, and put [them] under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Overview of 2 Samuel Chapter 12
2 Samuel Chapter 12 is a pivotal chapter in the narrative of King David’s reign over Israel. It deals with themes of sin, repentance, and divine judgment. The chapter begins with the prophet Nathan confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. It concludes with the consequences of David’s actions and the birth of his son Solomon.
Key Events
- Nathan’s Parable (Verses 1-4)
Nathan approaches David with a parable about a rich man who takes a poor man’s only lamb. This story serves as a metaphor for David’s actions regarding Bathsheba and Uriah.
- David’s Anger and Judgment (Verses 5-6)
David, unaware that the parable reflects his own actions, becomes angry and declares that the rich man deserves to die and must repay the poor man fourfold.
- Nathan’s Revelation (Verse 7)
Nathan reveals to David that he is the man in the parable, directly confronting him about his sins.
- God’s Judgment (Verses 8-12)
Nathan delivers God’s message, outlining the consequences of David’s actions, including the death of the child born to Bathsheba and ongoing strife within David’s household.
- David’s Repentance (Verse 13)
David acknowledges his sin against the Lord, demonstrating genuine repentance.
- Consequences and Mercy (Verses 14-23)
While God forgives David, the consequences of his sin remain. The child born from his union with Bathsheba becomes ill and dies, despite David’s fasting and prayers.
- Birth of Solomon (Verses 24-25)
After the death of the child, David comforts Bathsheba, and they conceive another son, Solomon, who is loved by the Lord.
- Military Victory (Verses 26-31)
The chapter concludes with David’s military success against the Ammonites, showcasing his continued leadership and the restoration of his kingdom.
Thematic Analysis
- Sin and Accountability
The chapter emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the importance of accountability. David’s actions have grave consequences, illustrating that leaders are not above the law.
- Repentance and Forgiveness
David’s sincere repentance highlights the theme of forgiveness. Despite the severity of his sin, God offers forgiveness, demonstrating His mercy.
- Divine Judgment
The chapter illustrates the concept of divine judgment, where God holds individuals accountable for their actions, ensuring that justice is served.
- Consequences of Sin
While forgiveness is granted, the consequences of sin remain. The death of David’s child serves as a stark reminder that actions have repercussions.
- Hope and Restoration
The birth of Solomon signifies hope and the possibility of restoration after sin. Solomon’s future as a leader is a testament to God’s continued plan for David’s lineage.
Character Analysis
- Nathan
Nathan is portrayed as a courageous prophet who speaks truth to power. His use of parable demonstrates wisdom and tact in confronting David.
- David
David’s character is complex; he is both a revered king and a flawed individual. His response to Nathan’s confrontation shows his capacity for repentance and humility.
- Bathsheba
Bathsheba’s role evolves from a passive figure in David’s sin to a significant character in the narrative, particularly with the birth of Solomon.
Conclusion
2 Samuel Chapter 12 serves as a critical turning point in the story of David, encapsulating the consequences of sin, the power of repentance, and the hope for redemption. It highlights the complexities of leadership and the enduring nature of God’s covenant, even in the face of human failure.
