“Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’ This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says, … ‘Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?’”
2 Samuel 12:7, 9
Nathan was a prophet during King David’s reign, though certainly not one of the “big names” in prophets. The Lord used him in important ways nonetheless, especially with pricking David’s conscience on more than one occasion. Nathan was the bearer of news that David would not be the one to build the Lord’s temple, of news that one of David’s sons was trying to seize the throne, and of the news that David had egregiously sinned before the Lord by lusting after and taking Bathsheba.
The latter incident is the one we recall most. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband killed, Nathan confronted David in the perfect way, by telling a hypothetical story about a rich man who had wronged a poor man by stealing from him. David could see clearly in the story how abhorrent the behavior of the thieving man was.
When Nathan declared to David, “You are the man!” David acknowledged his own sin which now confronted him. God used His prophet Nathan to convict and guide His servant David.
The latter incident is the one we recall most. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband killed, Nathan confronted David in the perfect way, by telling a hypothetical story about a rich man who had wronged a poor man by stealing from him. David could see clearly in the story how abhorrent the behavior of the thieving man was.
When Nathan declared to David, “You are the man!” David acknowledged his own sin which now confronted him. God used His prophet Nathan to convict and guide His servant David.
Scripture Focus
2 Samuel 12:1-13
Insight
Lord, humble me when someone confronts me about sin in my life. Point out my wrongdoing, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 16-17
- Psalm 82 9
- Matthew 13
