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2 Samuel 12

2 Samuel 12:3

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

Translations

Modern
…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 and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the poor one had not anything, but if one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and kept alive. And it grew up with him and with his children together. Of his own food it ate, and from his own cup it drank, and in his bosom it lay, and it was to him like a daughter.
Latin
Pauper autem nihil habebat omnino, præter ovem unam parvulam quam emerat et nutrierat, et quæ creverat apud eum cum filiis ejus simul, de pane illius comedens, et de calice ejus bibens, et in sinu illius dormiens: eratque illi sicut filia.

Original

Hebrew
English
…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 and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.

Notes

2 Samuel 12:3

like a daughter: Nathan compares the lamb to a daughter. The Hebrew word for “daughter” is bath. This creates a word connection with Bathsheba’s name, which begins with bath (see study note on 2 Samuel 11:3). This comparison strengthens the emotional force of the story and helps David recognize the injustice of his actions.

2 Samuel 12:1–31

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

Events

Parallels

Psalm 51:1–19

Glossary

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

Topics

Christian Minister: Expostulate with Rulers: Nathan with David Christian Minister: Faithful: Nathan Cup: General Scriptures Concerning 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 Reproof: Faithfulness in Nathan, of David The Lamb of Any Thing Dear or Cherished The Poor: Oppression of-Illustrated