2 Samuel 12:1

KJV

¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} sent {H7971} Nathan {H5416} unto David {H1732}. And he came {H935} unto him, and said {H559} unto him, There were two {H8147} men {H582} in one {H259} city {H5892}; the one {H259} rich {H6223}, and the other {H259} poor {H7326}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI sent Natan to David. He came and said to him, "In a certain city there were two men, one rich, the other poor.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This pivotal verse marks the divine initiation of confrontation against King David following his grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. After a period of apparent silence, the Lord actively intervenes by dispatching the prophet Nathan to David. Nathan's approach is strategic, beginning not with direct accusation, but with a skillfully crafted parable designed to elicit David's own sense of justice and, ultimately, to expose his profound hypocrisy and sin. This moment signifies the beginning of divine discipline and the call to repentance for the king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Samuel 12:1 immediately follows the dark narrative of [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"), which details David's adultery with Bathsheba, his attempts to cover up the resulting pregnancy, and his ultimate orchestration of Uriah's death in battle. The preceding chapter ends with the chilling statement, "But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" ([2 Samuel 11:27](/2_samuel/11-27 "2 Samuel 11:27 - David's Sin Displeases the Lord")). Chapter 12:1 thus opens with God's direct response to this displeasure, demonstrating that sin, though hidden from human eyes, is never hidden from God. The verse sets the stage for Nathan's masterful use of a parable, a common biblical narrative device used to convey truth indirectly, leading the hearer to self-condemnation before direct accusation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophets like Nathan served as God's direct messengers, holding even kings accountable to the Mosaic Law and the covenant. Kings were not absolute monarchs but were expected to rule justly under God's sovereignty. David, as king, was the supreme judge and guardian of justice, making his actions in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah") a profound betrayal of his office and his God. The use of a parable was a culturally astute method for confrontation, allowing the prophet to engage the king's sense of justice without immediately provoking a defensive or hostile reaction. It mirrored common legal dispute resolution methods where a neutral party would present a case for judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **divine accountability**, revealing that God actively sees and responds to sin, even when committed by His chosen leaders. The phrase "the LORD sent Nathan" emphasizes God's initiative in pursuing justice and repentance. Secondly, it highlights the **crucial role of prophetic confrontation** in bringing God's truth to power, demonstrating God's commitment to His covenant people even through discipline. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the theme of **judgment and discipline as a pathway to repentance and restoration**, a painful but necessary process for David, as seen in his subsequent confession and the profound [Psalm 51](/psalm/51 "Psalm 51 - David's Prayer of Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Hebrew, _shalach_):** This verb denotes a deliberate, purposeful commissioning or dispatching. It signifies divine agency and intention. God did not merely allow Nathan to go; He actively "sent" him, indicating that this confrontation was a direct, sovereign act of the Lord, not a human initiative. This emphasizes God's active involvement in the moral order of His creation and His pursuit of His people, even in their sin.
* **Nathan (Hebrew, _Natan_):** Meaning "He has given" or "gift," Nathan was a trusted prophet and advisor to David, previously involved in the plans for building the temple ([2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - God's Covenant with David")). His established relationship with David makes his mission all the more impactful, as the message comes from a familiar and respected voice, lending weight to the divine pronouncement.
* **unto David (Hebrew, _'el David_):** This prepositional phrase emphasizes the direct and personal nature of the confrontation. The message was specifically for David, targeting his hidden sin and challenging his conscience. It underscores that even a king, God's anointed, is not above divine scrutiny and accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD sent Nathan unto David."**: This opening clause immediately establishes divine initiative and sovereignty. God is the primary actor, demonstrating His displeasure with David's sin and His commitment to justice. The sending of Nathan signifies that God will not let David's sin go unaddressed, highlighting His active involvement in the lives of His people, even when they stray. Nathan acts as God's faithful messenger, embodying the prophetic role of speaking truth to power.
* **"And he came unto him, and said unto him,"**: This describes Nathan's immediate and obedient response to God's commission. The repetition of "unto him" emphasizes the direct, personal encounter between the prophet and the king. Nathan wastes no time in fulfilling his divine mandate, setting the scene for the crucial conversation.
* **"There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor."**: This introduces the masterful parable that Nathan uses to disarm David and lead him to self-condemnation. The simplicity of the setup, presenting a common scenario of social inequality and potential injustice, immediately captures David's attention as a king responsible for upholding justice. The characters are archetypal, allowing David to judge the situation objectively without immediately realizing its direct personal implications.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of 2 Samuel 12 is rich with literary devices that enhance its dramatic and theological impact. **Divine Intervention** is paramount, as the text explicitly states "the LORD sent Nathan," emphasizing God's active role in initiating the confrontation. This sets a tone of divine sovereignty and justice. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Nathan's introduction of a seemingly simple parable subtly hints at the deeper, personal judgment that is about to unfold for David. The narrative structure itself uses **Delayed Revelation**, where the true purpose of Nathan's visit is not immediately stated but is gradually unveiled through the parable, creating suspense and allowing David to unwittingly condemn himself. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as David, the king and supreme judge, is about to be judged by his own words and actions, demonstrating the principle that those who administer justice are not exempt from it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 12:1 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to holiness and justice, even within the context of His covenant love. It reveals that God's love for His people includes discipline and confrontation when they stray, demonstrating that no sin, however hidden or powerful the perpetrator, escapes His notice. This divine initiative underscores the truth that God actively pursues His children, not to destroy them, but to bring them to repentance and restoration, preserving the integrity of His covenant and the moral order of His kingdom. The confrontation, though painful, is an act of grace designed to lead to genuine contrition and spiritual healing.

* [Psalm 51:17](/psalm/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The moment God "sent Nathan unto David" serves as a profound reminder that our actions, whether in the light or in the shadows, are always known to God. It challenges any illusion of hidden sin or impunity, particularly for those in positions of influence or leadership. God, in His sovereign love and commitment to our holiness, will often send "Nathans" into our lives—whether through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the wise counsel of a friend, the challenging words of a sermon, or even the consequences of our own choices—to expose our blind spots and call us to account. This verse urges us to cultivate a posture of humility and responsiveness to correction, recognizing that God's discipline is not punitive in the sense of destruction, but redemptive, designed to lead us to genuine repentance, spiritual healing, and a deeper walk with Him. To resist such divine messengers is to resist God's grace; to embrace them, however painful, is to open ourselves to the path of restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's initiative in sending Nathan challenge our assumptions about hidden sin and divine oversight?**
* **In what ways might God be seeking to bring conviction or correction into our own lives today, and how open are we to receiving it?**
* **What is our responsibility when we are confronted with our own sin, whether directly or indirectly, and what steps should we take towards repentance?**

### FAQ
**Why did God wait so long to send Nathan after David's sin?**

Answer: While the exact timeline is not specified, it appears a significant period, perhaps up to a year, elapsed between David's sin and Nathan's visit. This delay is often interpreted in several ways. Firstly, it highlights God's patience and long-suffering, giving David ample opportunity to confess his sin on his own. God's desire is not immediate condemnation but repentance. Secondly, the delay allowed David's sin to fully manifest its consequences (e.g., the birth of the child), making the subsequent confrontation more impactful and demonstrating the pervasive nature of sin. Thirdly, God's timing is always perfect; the delay may have been strategic to ensure the maximum spiritual impact on David, preparing his heart, however unknowingly, for the coming conviction. It underscores that God's justice operates on His own timetable, not ours.

**What was Nathan's specific role as a prophet in this encounter?**

Answer: Nathan's role here is quintessential to the prophetic office in ancient Israel. He acts as God's direct messenger, speaking truth to power without fear or favor. His primary function is to call the king, God's anointed, to account for his actions against the divine covenant and moral law. Nathan serves as a conduit for divine truth, delivering God's judgment and call to repentance. He is not merely a moral advisor but God's authoritative voice, demonstrating that even kings are subject to God's ultimate authority and judgment. His method of using a parable also highlights the prophet's wisdom and discernment in delivering a difficult message effectively.

**Why did Nathan use a parable instead of directly accusing David?**

Answer: Nathan's use of a parable was a brilliant and divinely inspired strategy. A direct accusation might have immediately provoked David's defensiveness, anger, or even a punitive response against Nathan. By presenting a hypothetical scenario, Nathan disarmed David, allowing him to engage with the moral dilemma objectively. The parable appealed to David's sense of justice as a king, leading him to deliver a righteous judgment on the fictional rich man. This method skillfully trapped David in his own verdict, revealing his profound hypocrisy and setting the stage for the devastating direct accusation, "Thou art the man" ([2 Samuel 12:7](/2_samuel/12-7 "2 Samuel 12:7 - Nathan's Direct Accusation")). It led to a deeper, more personal conviction and repentance than a direct accusation might have achieved.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine initiative of God sending Nathan to confront David's hidden sin in 2 Samuel 12:1 profoundly foreshadows the ultimate divine initiative in Christ. Just as God actively pursued David to bring him to repentance and restoration, so too does God, in His boundless love, pursue humanity lost in sin. Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate "Nathan," sent by God not merely to expose sin, but to bear its full weight and offer the path to complete forgiveness and new life. He is the [Light that has come into the world](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Light Has Come Into the World"), exposing the darkness of sin ([John 3:20](/john/3-20 "John 3:20 - Light Exposes Darkness")), yet He does so with a redemptive purpose, inviting all to come to Him for salvation ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")). The parables Jesus told, such as the [parable of the lost sheep](/luke/15-3 "Luke 15:3 - Parable of the Lost Sheep") or the [prodigal son](/luke/15-11 "Luke 15:11 - Parable of the Prodigal Son"), similarly disarm and invite self-reflection, leading hearers to confront their own spiritual state. Ultimately, Jesus, the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), provides the perfect sacrifice that David's sin, and all sin, required. Through Him, the justice of God is satisfied, and the path to true repentance and eternal restoration is opened for all who believe, fulfilling God's relentless pursuit of His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 51:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalms 51:19

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

1 Kings 20:35

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

1 Kings 20:41

And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he [was] of the prophets.

Luke 15:11

¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Luke 15:32

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

2 Samuel 24:11

For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,