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2 Samuel 12

2 Samuel 12:1

Nathan Rebukes David · 2 Samuel 12:1–12
Read 2 Samuel 12

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And YHWH sent Nathan to David, and he came to him and said to him, “There were two men in one city—one rich and one poor.
Latin
Misit ergo Dominus Nathan ad David: qui cum venisset ad eum, dixit ei: Duo viri erant in civitate una, unus dives, et alter pauper.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

Notes

2 Samuel 12:1

  • The Lord sent Nathan to David at least nine months after David committed adultery.

  • This account is one of the few places in the Old Testament that uses a parable (a short story that teaches a moral truth; see also Judges 9:8–15). Parables can communicate truth in a powerful and indirect way.

  • David was rich in many ways. He possessed royal wealth, had many wives, and held God’s promises for his future. By contrast, Uriah was poor. He had one wife, one home, and no continuing family line.

2 Samuel 12:1–31

Chapter 12 expands on the final part of 2 Samuel 11:27.

Events

Parallels

Psalm 51:1–19

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Nathan: Prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon

Glossary

Bathsheba David Hittites Joab King Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Parable Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Christian Minister: Expostulate with Rulers: Nathan with David Christian Minister: Faithful: Nathan David: King of Israel is Rebuked by the Prophet Nathan Nathan: A Prophet in the Time of David: Reproves David for his Adultery with Bath-Sheba and his Murder of Uriah Parables of the Lamb Parables: Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: Inspiration of Prophets: Nathan Reproof: Faithfulness in Nathan, of David The Poor: Oppression of-Illustrated