Nathan's Parable

Nathan's Parable is a poignant narrative delivered by the prophet Nathan to King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 12:1-14. This parable serves as a divine instrument to confront David with his sin concerning Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite. The parable is a masterful example of prophetic wisdom and moral conviction, designed to elicit a response of self-judgment from David.

In the parable, Nathan describes two men in a city: one rich and the other poor. The rich man possesses a great many flocks and herds, while the poor man owns nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he cherishes as a family member. When a traveler visits the rich man, instead of taking from his own abundance, the rich man seizes the poor man's lamb to prepare a meal for his guest.

Upon hearing the parable, David's anger is kindled, and he declares, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!" (2 Samuel 12:5). Nathan then reveals the parable's true purpose with the piercing words, "You are that man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). This revelation exposes David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah.

David's Sin

David's sin is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating the moral failings of even the most revered leaders. The account begins in 2 Samuel 11, where David, from the rooftop of his palace, sees Bathsheba bathing. Despite knowing she is the wife of Uriah, David succumbs to temptation and commits adultery with her. When Bathsheba becomes pregnant, David attempts to conceal his sin by summoning Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he will sleep with his wife and thus cover the paternity of the child. However, Uriah's loyalty to his fellow soldiers prevents him from enjoying the comforts of home while they are at war.

Frustrated by Uriah's integrity, David orchestrates his death by sending him to the front lines of battle, instructing Joab, the commander, to withdraw support so that Uriah would be killed. After Uriah's death, David marries Bathsheba, and she bears him a son.

The gravity of David's sin is met with divine displeasure. Nathan's confrontation reveals the depth of David's transgressions and the consequences that will follow. Nathan declares, "Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own" (2 Samuel 12:10). Despite David's heartfelt repentance, the child born to Bathsheba falls ill and dies, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy of judgment.

David's sin and subsequent repentance are pivotal in understanding the themes of justice, mercy, and redemption in the biblical narrative. His heartfelt confession, recorded in Psalm 51, remains a profound expression of contrition and a plea for divine forgiveness. Through Nathan's parable and David's response, the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the enduring hope of restoration through God's grace.