Topical Bible: David: King of Israel is Rebuked by the Prophet Nathan

◄ David: King of Israel is Rebuked by the Prophet Nathan ►

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known for his military prowess, poetic contributions, and deep relationship with God. However, his reign was not without moral failings, the most notable being his sin with Bathsheba, which led to a significant confrontation with the prophet Nathan.

The Context of David's Sin

The account of David's sin is found in 2 Samuel 11. While his army was at war, David remained in Jerusalem. From his rooftop, he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, bathing. Overcome by desire, David summoned her and committed adultery. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David attempted to cover his sin by recalling Uriah from battle, hoping he would sleep with his wife and assume the child was his. Uriah, however, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in the field. In a desperate move, David orchestrated Uriah's death by sending him to the front lines of battle, where he was killed.

Nathan's Rebuke

The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his sin. Nathan approached David with a parable, as recorded in 2 Samuel 12:1-4 :

"There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, but he refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest."

Upon hearing this account, David was incensed and declared that the rich man deserved to die and must repay fourfold for the lamb. Nathan then delivered the piercing words of divine judgment: "You are that man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). Nathan proceeded to recount the blessings God had bestowed upon David and the gravity of his transgressions, including the murder of Uriah and the taking of his wife.

David's Repentance

Confronted with his sin, David responded with genuine repentance. He confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13). Nathan assured David that the Lord had taken away his sin and that he would not die. However, the consequences of his actions would still unfold, including turmoil within his household and the death of the child born to Bathsheba.

David's repentance is further expressed in Psalm 51, a poignant plea for mercy and cleansing. This psalm reveals David's deep contrition and desire for a renewed heart, underscoring the themes of sin, repentance, and divine forgiveness.

Theological Implications

The episode of Nathan's rebuke highlights several key theological themes. It underscores the seriousness of sin, even for those chosen and anointed by God. It also illustrates the role of prophetic ministry in calling leaders to account and the importance of repentance in restoring one's relationship with God. David's experience serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin but also as a testament to God's mercy and the possibility of redemption through sincere repentance.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 12:1-14
And the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Adonijah
... The law of primogeniture was not law for Israel. The invisible King expressly reserved
to Himself the ... to Jonathan, Saul's son, and Solomon, David's younger son ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

The Historical Books.
... of Judah after the extinction of the kingdom of Israel. ... reign of Solomon, which excelled
that of David in outward ... it did that of every succeeding king.1 Kings 3 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... up against you, O house of Israel, Gentile people ... in the person of an ideal king,"
Hitzig remarks. ... Solomon, David, and Jacob already knew the personal Messiah. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... how shall I deliver thee, Israel? ... upon all." [3170] And such was the progress that
David made that ... The ungodly king Ahab, who shed the blood of Naboth to gain ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... described at length in the duel between David and Goliath ... however, that they overthrew
Adoni-bezek, King of the ... And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... prophet came in Gideon's days and spoke to erring Israel, he opened his mouth with,
"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel." Turn to ... David the king might have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
... Aristobulus, king and high priest of the Jews, [346]90, [347]93. ... Daniel, the prophet,
[785]85, [786]90, [787]276, [788]352. David, [789]86, [790]90. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/the church history of eusebius.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... 7), and in Hezekiah's reign by Sennacherib, king of Assyria ... that, just as Cyrus is
to redeem Israel from the ... establishment of 'the sure mercies of David' (55:3 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... were declaring that He was about to be crowned king. ... These leaders of Israel had
been given the privilege ... As did Nathan with David, Christ concealed His home ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... 'Lord, heal me,' said David, 'for my ... by the wrath and fear is meant the authoritative
word of a king. ... by that sad loss that God was angry with Israel, and he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm