2 Samuel
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2 Samuel 12
2 Samuel 12
1And Jehovah 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.
1And 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.
Commentary · verse 1
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds; 3but 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 morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4And 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.
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3But 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.
4And 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.
Commentary · verses 2-4
"A rich man stole a poor man's lamb."
5And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die:
5And 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:
Commentary · verse 5
David was angry and said the man in the parable should be put to death.
6and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
Commentary · verse 6
In addition to a death sentence, David said this man ought to have made up for the damages by following the law as recorded in Exodus 22:1 - "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep."
7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
7And 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;
Commentary · verse 7
Nathan directly confronted David by telling him he was the man. David had many wives and concubines, yet he coveted a man's only wife.
8and 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 have added unto thee such and such things.
8And 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.
Commentary · verse 8
God told David that if he wanted more, God would have given it to him. Instead, David stole from another man.
9Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten 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.
10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11Thus saith Jehovah, 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 neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
9Wherefore 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.
10Now 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.
11Thus 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.
Commentary · verses 9-11
Because of what David did, the sword would never depart from David, evil would be raised up in his own house, and his wives would be given to his neighbor in the sight of everyone. This was God's response through Justice.
12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13And 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.
14Howbeit, 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.
Commentary · verses 12-14
David immediately confessed and God's response was to put away his sin. David would not die. That was a Salvation judgment. Our Salvation doesn't depend on our lack of sin, we all sin. Our Salvation depends on our response to our sin: confession/repentance vs. rationalization/self-justification. David was a man after God's own Heart, which was what led him to immediately confess and repent. However, David's seed from his adultery with Bath-sheba would surely die. David's confession and repentance had no effect on the sword never departing from his house, etc. That was a Reward judgment.
15And Nathan departed unto his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
15And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
Commentary · verses 15-16
David knew God said his child would die but he still sought out God and fasted for the child. David did everything he could.
17And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18And 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 hearkened not unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead!
17And 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.
18And 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?
Commentary · verses 17-18
The child died. David's servants were afraid David would become even worse.
19But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of Jehovah, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
19But 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.
20Then 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.
Commentary · verses 19-20
David found out his child died and his response was to get clean, worship God, and eat. Again, David's response to finding out he was wrong was to immediately make progress towards what was right.
21Then 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.
22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
21Then 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.
22And 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?
23But 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.
Commentary · verses 21-23
David had an amazing understanding of God. He knew that the impact of his prayer and fasting may have changed God's Mind. However, when the child died, David realized that judgment happened regarding his adultery and he moved forward.
24And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him;
24And David comforted Bath–sheba 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.
Commentary · verse 24
Solomon was born. "Solomon" meant "peace." Bath-sheba (an adulteress) was in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:6).
25and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, for Jehovah’s sake.
25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
Commentary · verse 25
"Jedidiah", the name given to Solomon by Nathan, meant "beloved of Jehovah." This was a prophetic name. Remember, Solomon would eventually build God's house and God's lovingkindness/mercy would never depart from Solomon. This was the only time in the Bible that Solomon was referred to as Jedidiah.
26Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yea, I have taken the city of waters.
28Now 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.
26And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
28Now 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.
Commentary · verses 26-28
Joab was successful in war. He sent messengers to David "goading" him to come out to the battle or Joab would take all the credit himself.
29And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30And he took the crown of their king from off his head; and the weight thereof was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.
31And 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. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
29And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30And 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.
31And 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.
Commentary · verses 29-31
David responded to Joab by joining him at the end of the fight and taking the city of Rabbah.
Commentary · verse 31
Joab continued to be an interesting man. Joab knew David had Uriah killed. Joab knew that David did not bear the pain of the battle to defeat Rabbah and that David personally benefited from both events.
2 Samuel 10-12 covered David's committing of adultery with Bath-sheba, David's immediate confession/repentance, the destructive effects declared by God, and Solomon's birth.
God sent Nathan to David with a parable.