2 Samuel 12:10

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

Translations

Modern
Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
Traditional
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.
Literal
And now the sword shall not depart from your house even to forever, on account that you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
Latin
Quam ob rem non recedet gladius de domo tua usque in sempiternum, eo quod despexeris me, et tuleris uxorem Uriæ Hethæi ut esset uxor tua.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

Notes

  • Now (literally forever): This phrase points to ongoing consequences. It stands in contrast to God’s gracious promises of a lasting kingdom that God gave to David earlier (2 Samuel 7:13–29).

  • This is a reminder of what David did with the sword (2 Samuel 12:9) and how the sword would affect his family. This recalls David's careless reaction to Joab's report about the deaths of Uriah and other innocent Israelites (2 Samuel 11:25).

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

Events

Parallels

Psalm 51:1–19

People

Heth: Son of Canaan and ancestor of the Hittites Uriah: Hittite soldier; husband of Bathsheba

Glossary

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

Topics

Adultery: Penalties For Christian Minister: Expostulate with Rulers: Nathan with David Christian Minister: Faithful: Nathan David: King of Israel is Rebuked by the Prophet Nathan Homicide: Punishment of Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: David Kings: Punished for Transgressing the Divine Law Nathan: A Prophet in the Time of David: Reproves David for his Adultery with Bath-Sheba and his Murder of Uriah Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder The Sword: (Not Departing from One's House) of Perpetual Calamity Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer