Nathan
He told a king a story about a lamb, then said, "Thou art the man."
Old Testament · c. 1000 BC · 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Psalms · Also known as Nathan the prophet
About Nathan
Nathan was a prophet at King David’s court. When David wanted to build a house for God, Nathan brought God’s answer: not David, but his son would build it, and God would build David a "house," a dynasty that would last for ever. After David took Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed, God sent Nathan to him with a story about a rich man who stole a poor man’s only lamb. When David burned with anger, Nathan said, "Thou art the man." Later Nathan worked with Bathsheba to make sure Solomon became king, and anointed him.
Prophets in Israel could advise kings, but also had to confront them with God’s word. God’s promise through Nathan in 2 Samuel 7 is central to the hope of a coming "son of David." Psalm 51 is headed "when Nathan the prophet came unto him."
The story
A house for God
David said, "I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains." Nathan answered, "Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee." But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: David’s son would build the house, and "thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee."
2 Samuel 7:1-17
The poor man’s lamb
God sent Nathan to David with a story. A rich man with many flocks took a poor man’s only ewe lamb, which "was unto him as a daughter," to feed a guest. David’s anger burned: "the man that hath done this thing shall surely die." "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man."
2 Samuel 12:1-7
I have sinned
"And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die." Nathan also told him that the child born to Bathsheba would die, and it did.
2 Samuel 12:13-23
Solomon shall reign
When David was old and his son Adonijah declared himself king, Nathan urged Bathsheba to go to David, and came in to confirm her words. David ordered that Solomon be anointed: "Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel."
1 Kings 1:11-40
Key moments
- God’s promise to David: "Established for ever." (2 Samuel 7:16)
- The parable of the lamb: A rich man’s theft. (2 Samuel 12:4)
- "Thou art the man": Confronts the king. (2 Samuel 12:7)
- Names Solomon Jedidiah: "Beloved of the LORD." (2 Samuel 12:25)
- Anoints Solomon: With Zadok the priest. (1 Kings 1:34)
Questions about Nathan
In meetBible these answers are given in Nathan’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
How did you dare confront the king?
Scripture begins simply: "the LORD sent Nathan unto David." I didn’t accuse him at first; I told him about a rich man who took a poor man’s only lamb. When David condemned that man, I said, "Thou art the man," and gave him God’s word. What I felt going in isn’t recorded. The story let David see his own sin before he could defend it.
Why did you first tell David to build the temple?
When David spoke of building a house for the ark, I answered, "Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee." That was my own word. "And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan," and God said David was not to build it; his son would. Even a prophet had to correct himself when God spoke.
Connected people
- David: The king he confronted
- Bathsheba: Worked with her for Solomon
- Solomon: Anointed him
- Uriah: The man David wronged
Read it yourself
Start with 2 Samuel 7; 12.