2 Samuel 12

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 12 of 24

1 And Jehovah 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.

2 The rich one had flocks and very many herds.

3 But the poor one had nothing except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and kept alive. And it grew up with him, and with his sons together, and it ate of his morsel, and it drank from his cup, and it lay in his bosom. And it was like a daughter to him.

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Chapter Summary

Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb. David confesses his sin, and is pardoned. David mourns and prays for the child, while it lived. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah. David takes Rabbah.

Key Hebrew Words

כִּבְשָׂה ewe lamb H3535 · TWOT 950
בָּזָה despise H959 · TWOT 224
חַטָּאת sin H2403 · TWOT 638e
חֶ֫רֶב sword H2719 · TWOT 732a
אָהֵב love H157 · TWOT 29
צוּם fast H6684 · TWOT 1890

People & Context

David

King confronted by Nathan's parable; confesses his sin, fasts for the child, then takes Rabbah.

Nathan

The prophet sent by Jehovah to confront David with the ewe-lamb parable and pronounce judgment.

Bath-sheba

David's wife, formerly Uriah's; mourns the dead child, then bears Solomon.

Solomon

Son born to David and Bath-sheba, loved by Jehovah and named Jedidiah.

Joab

David's commander who besieges Rabbah and summons David to take the city.

Uriah

The Hittite, Bath-sheba's slain husband, whose murder Jehovah holds against David.

Timeline

Nathan's Parable

God sends Nathan the prophet to David, who tells a parable about a rich man stealing a poor man's beloved ewe lamb to feed a traveler.

2 Samuel 12:1-4
David Condemns the Rich Man

David becomes exceedingly angry at the rich man in the parable, declaring he deserves death and must repay fourfold.

2 Samuel 12:5-6
Nathan Rebukes David

Nathan declares 'You are the man!' and delivers God's judgment: the sword will never depart from David's house, and his wives will be given to his neighbor in broad daylight.

2 Samuel 12:7-12

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