2 Samuel 12

This chapter follows the events of David's sin with Bathsheba and his role in the death of her husband, Uriah. The prophet Nathan confronts David, revealing God's judgment for his actions, but also the mercy of God through forgiveness. David's repentance, the death of his child, and the birth of Solomon are key events in this chapter.

2 Samuel 12:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds.
3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.
4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!

Nathan presents a parable to David, using the story of a rich man who unjustly takes the poor man’s cherished lamb. This parable reflects the gravity of David's sin. David, unaware that this is a metaphor for his own actions with Bathsheba and Uriah, reacts with anger, demanding the death of the rich man. His response highlights the justice David expects, setting up the moment when Nathan reveals David as the guilty party.

2 Samuel 12:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

David insists that the man in the parable deserves not only death but also restitution, further deepening his self-condemnation. Nathan then delivers the shocking revelation: "You are the man!" God reminds David of His goodness—how He chose David as king and protected him from Saul—implying that David's sin was even more grievous in light of God's blessings.

2 Samuel 12:8-9 (NKJV)
8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!
9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

God emphasizes all He had already given David—his position, power, and blessings. David’s sin, particularly the murder of Uriah and taking Bathsheba, is portrayed as a rejection of God's kindness. The language underscores that David’s actions were not just personal failures but direct disobedience to God’s commands, deserving judgment.

2 Samuel 12:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
11 Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’”

God declares the consequences of David’s actions. David’s family will experience violence and division, and the peace within his house will be shattered. The judgment fits David’s crime—his secret sin with Bathsheba will be publicly mirrored when his wives are taken by others. This prophecy foreshadows the troubles David’s house will face, particularly with Absalom.

2 Samuel 12:13 (NKJV)
13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

David immediately confesses his sin. His simple acknowledgment—"I have sinned against the Lord"—demonstrates his repentance. Nathan responds with assurance of God's mercy: although David deserves death, God has forgiven him. This moment shows that while God punishes sin, He also extends grace when there is genuine repentance.

2 Samuel 12:14 (NKJV)
14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

Despite the forgiveness, there is a consequence to David’s actions. His sin has tarnished God’s name among the surrounding nations, leading to blasphemy. As a result, the child born to Bathsheba will die. This shows that even forgiven sin can still carry painful consequences, particularly when it impacts God’s reputation.

2 Samuel 12:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill.
16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.
17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

David’s response to the child’s illness is one of deep grief and intercession. He fasts and prays, hoping that God might show mercy and spare the child’s life. His actions reveal his anguish and his understanding of the severity of God’s judgment. Despite his pleading, God’s will remains firm.

2 Samuel 12:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”
19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.”

David’s servants fear the impact of the child’s death on him, given his deep mourning during the illness. However, David, sensing their hesitation, asks directly and confirms his worst fear. His reaction shows his acceptance of God’s judgment, as his behavior drastically changes once the child has died.

2 Samuel 12:20-23 (NKJV)
20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”
22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

David's actions after the child's death reflect his faith in God's sovereignty. He no longer mourns but accepts the outcome, showing a clear understanding of the finality of death. His words also express hope in an eventual reunion in the afterlife. David’s worship despite his grief demonstrates his submission to God’s will.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 (NKJV)
24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him,
25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

In the aftermath of tragedy, David and Bathsheba are comforted with the birth of another son, Solomon. God’s love for Solomon is emphasized, marking him as the chosen successor to David. The name “Jedidiah,” meaning “beloved of the Lord,” underscores God’s favor and plan for Solomon’s future role.

2 Samuel 12:26-31 (NKJV)
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the people of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply.
28 Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name.”
29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, fought against it, and took it.
30 Then he took their king’s crown from his head; its weight was a talent of gold, with precious stones. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance.
31 And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

The chapter concludes with a military victory. Joab captures Rabbah, but allows David to claim the final victory and take the city. This battle reinforces David’s role as king, even amid the personal turmoil in his family. The taking of the crown and the plundering of the city reflect both God’s favor and the fulfillment of His promises to David.