Background and Context:
Nathan's parable to David is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, found in 2 Samuel 12:1-14. This event occurs after King David's grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the orchestrated death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. The parable serves as a divine instrument for confronting David with his sin and leading him to repentance.

The Parable:
The LORD sends the prophet Nathan to David with a account designed to reveal the king's wrongdoing. Nathan tells of 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 has nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he has raised and cherished like a daughter. The lamb eats from his plate, drinks from his cup, and sleeps in his arms.

A traveler comes to the rich man, but instead of taking from his own flock to prepare a meal, the rich man seizes the poor man's lamb and prepares it for his guest. This parable is a metaphor for David's actions, with the rich man representing David, the poor man symbolizing Uriah, and the ewe lamb representing Bathsheba.

David's Reaction:
Upon hearing the parable, David's sense of justice is kindled, and he reacts with anger. He declares, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over" (2 Samuel 12:5-6). David's response reveals his understanding of justice and righteousness, yet he is initially blind to his own culpability.

Nathan's Rebuke:
Nathan then delivers the piercing words, "You are that man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). He proceeds to recount the LORD's blessings upon David, including his anointing as king, deliverance from Saul, and the giving of Saul's house and wives into David's care. Despite these blessings, David has despised the word of the LORD by committing adultery and murder.

Divine Judgment and Mercy:
Nathan pronounces God's judgment upon David: "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). The LORD declares that calamity will arise from within David's own household, and his wives will be given to another in broad daylight.

Despite the severity of the judgment, Nathan also conveys God's mercy. When David confesses, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13), Nathan assures him that the LORD has taken away his sin and he will not die. However, the child born to David and Bathsheba will die as a consequence of his actions.

Theological Significance:
Nathan's parable is a profound example of prophetic ministry, illustrating the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for divine truth and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin, even for a man after God's own heart, and the necessity of repentance. The narrative highlights God's justice in addressing sin and His mercy in offering forgiveness. David's response to Nathan's rebuke is a model of genuine repentance, as further expressed in Psalm 51, traditionally attributed to David following this confrontation.

Legacy:
The parable and its aftermath have enduring theological and moral implications. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the deceitfulness of sin. It also affirms the hope of redemption and restoration through repentance and God's grace. Nathan's parable remains a powerful narrative within the biblical canon, illustrating the intersection of divine justice, human frailty, and the possibility of forgiveness.