Nathan the prophet
2 Sam 12:1 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.
Nathan begins his story, a parable. We have met Nathan earlier when David spoke to him of building a temple to God.
2 Sam 7:2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
2 Sam 7:3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
2 Sam 7:4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
2 Sam 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
Why was he not allowed to build the Temple? God said that he had blood on his hands. Now we see the blood of innocent Uriah on David's hands.
2 Sam 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
2 Sam 12:3 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.
2 Sam 12:4 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.
2 Sam 12:5 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:
We can be very angry at the sin we see in others, but blind to our own sin. The Lord Jesus gave us another story, about seeing clearly.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Nathan was about to remove the beam from David's eye.
2 Sam 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
David is swift to seek justice according to the law of Moses.
2 Sam 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man...
Nathan, being a prophet speaks the message of God boldly. An ungodly man would not receive this word. He would probably kill the messenger of bad news as was the custom. Nathan was bold and God's Spirit would convict the king of his sins. David has but one choice as a servant of God. He must repent and seek restoration.
David's Sin
2 Sam 12:7 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;
Nathan speaks the heart of the Lord to David. I have chosen you as king over Israel, and it was I who delivered you, all the years that Saul tried to kill you. Why didn't God remove Saul? He did, in his time. It was to strengthen David and to give him compassion and a sense of Justice.
2 Sam 12:8 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.
David was given care of the house of Saul, his possessions. Saul's wives to care for, also the care and responsibility of Judea and Israel. The custom of that time was to inherit the wives and mistresses of the preceding king. Surely this should have been enough for the lusts of a man, but he stepped too far with the death of Uriah.
Often we ask things of God and when we receive of him, do we thank him, or just ask for more? When we are delivered from harm is it the Lord we praise? When we have all we need do we covet the neighbors goods or his wife or their possessions? What sins have we committed without thinking about them, because we received what we wanted? I hope we have not been guilty of any of these things.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Sam 12:9 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.
This was too great an injustice for God to turn from. I see in this that there are some sins that are greater, in that God steps in to reveal them. If every sin we ever committed were revealed, who could stand? A child of God is forgiven because of the blood of Jesus, yet some sins bring a need for correction. Isn't it best if we correct our sins before they happen? We should always ask for forgiveness so that we shall be restored. Some sins will just have a result because of the natural results of the consequences of the sin. We can see some diseases as the result of sin in a life. Some things happen because satan was given permission by ourselves to devour and destroy, but God has our soul, if we are His we will receive his eternal inheritance. It is best to not allow the consequences of sin to come about. We are to live our lives by the power of God's indwelling Spirit.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Our sins are forgiven by Jesus, yet satan tries to keep them in our memory. David's sin would have a consequence on those closest to him. This sin would always be remembered when we think of him. We are to obey God, whether as a king or the least in His kingdom.
Judgment
2 Sam 12:10 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.
David's home will suffer the results of his sin. This is the Old Covenant in operation. God had said if you obey my laws you will be blessed, but if you transgress my laws you will be cursed. (Deut 28) The curse would extend to David's children. There would be bloodshed within his family. God said, "You despised me," how so? When we despise God's commandments, we despise God. Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, we are not to covet.
Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Exo 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
2 Sam 12:11 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.
2 Sam 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
There would be rebellion from within David's family. One of his sons; Absalom, would violate David's mistresses on the rooftop where David first saw Bathsheba. What a price is paid when we turn from obeying God. Turn back my friend, if you are straying, satan is seeking to destroy you. We are in the New Covenant under the blood of Jesus. There is no wrath upon you. Keep close under the wings of our Lord.
A note here. If we disobey God we are opening our armor to satan who desires to steal, kill and destroy. Do not give him this chance. If one of our family has been taken, we need to come together in strength, resolved to fight against satan in every place he comes against us. Usually in our mind first. We must renew our minds (Rom 12:1-2) And put on the armor of God, never take it off. (Eph 6) We will not allow sin to have dominion over us.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Praise God for Jesus and his grace.
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
2 Sam 12:13 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.
David's sins were forgiven, God new his heart. But, the result would continue under the Old Covenant law. God is a God of justice.
2 Sam 12:14 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.
When we openly sin, it brings blasphemy to God. We are his people, we bring shame to his name. God fulfilled his word in bringing judgment for sin, the child to be born to Bathsheba would die. Another child would be born from David and Bathsheba, Solomon, who was called the wisest man and who would build the temple of God. If you feel the hand of judgment for your sins, keep going, for God shall bless you. We are not under the Old Covenant, but the New covenant in Christ Jesus' blood.
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
We belong to King Jesus, his children are free of curses. He took our curses to the tree.
Death of a Beloved
2 Sam 12:15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
The word from Nathan about the death of his son was coming true.
2 Sam 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
David pleaded with God as a loving father for his son. He prayed and fasted and lay on the earth, humbling himself before the LORD.
2 Sam 12:17 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.
David's servants were concerned for him, because this continued for six days. This was not false mourning, he felt responsible for the child's death. He did a good thing seeking God.
2 Sam 12:18 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?
On the seventh day, the child died and the servant's feared to tell him. How would David respond to the news, when he has been so upset for a week?
2 Sam 12:19 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.
It is important to understand David's response. Was he responsible for the death of his beloved? Yes, he was and he repented before God. He pleaded for the child's life, and yet the child died. For those of us who have lost a loved one, this is our example. We may feel in some way we could have done better, or perhaps feel guilty in some way. The time for mourning is appropriate, but then we must get back into life, walking with God.
2 Sam 12:20 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.
2 Sam 12:21 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.
2 Sam 12:22 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?
2 Sam 12:23 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.
Amen, we cannot undo the thing, the child is with the Lord. The appropriate response is to trust his soul to the Lord's keeping. He cannot come back, but we who trust in Jesus will go to the loved one.
Eccl 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Eccl 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; Eccl 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
We should not stop our lives, we cannot change the passing of a loved one, we can only someday go to him. Do not receive false guilt from satan, it is not appropriate. David wrote Psalm 51 at this time of mourning.
Psa 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Birth of Solomon
2 Sam 12:24 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.
No longer is Bathsheba called the wife of Uriah. David and Bathsheba had been chastened of the Lord and they both repented and had a humble heart towards God. God showed his mercy and love towards them, giving him a son, Sololomon that the Lord loved. Through Solomon would come the Messiah, the Lord showing that forgiveness would come to a humble and repentant heart. God forgives, so we must forgive, be it a neighbor or even ourself, forgiveness comes from our Lord.
2 Sam 12:25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
The word of the LORD came through Nathan the prophet, his name would be Jedidiah, meaning: "loved of the LORD." The LORD has a special name for each of his own, who overcome.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Those of you who have sinned, who have been divorced and remarried? If you have a humble and repentant heart towards our Lord, and have trusted in Jesus, you will be forgiven and blessed. If you have lost a child or miscarried, the Lord is merciful to you, the child is with him and he will bless you. The fruit of your marriage shall be blessed.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Pet 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Wrath
2 Sam 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
The battle that began over a year previous continued with the Ammonites. David having stayed behind fell into sin with Bathsheba. Joab has continued the battle.
2 Sam 12:27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
They have taken the city with the water supply.
2 Sam 12:28 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.
Joab wishes for the king to once again come to battle, giving him the honor of the victory.
2 Sam 12:29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
2 Sam 12:30 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.
The weight of the crown was over a hundred pounds. The crown may have been on a statue or suspended above the head of the king, if it was truly of this heavy a weight. It is thought that the jewels that were on the crown were placed on David's crown. There were many valuables taken from the city.
2 Sam 12:31 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.
The Ammonites were a cruel people, they were tortured by David and his men. Not a pleasant thought. Some have thought that they were rather put to work, but it does not say this.
David who was given mercy shows no mercy to the Ammonites. Perhaps this is a picture of God's judgment and the torment of hell?
Will the Lord allow evil to continue?
Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
Isa 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Now is the time to repent and seek the forgiveness of the Lord. Jesus is calling you to his saving grace. Trust in the Lord and escape the wrath of God.
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