2 Samuel 12:2

KJV

The rich [man] had exceeding many flocks and herds:

KJV (with Strong's)

The rich {H6223} man had exceeding {H3966} many {H7235} flocks {H6629} and herds {H1241}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The rich man had vast flocks and herds;

Berean Standard Bible

The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle,

American Standard Version

The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 12:2 immediately establishes the immense wealth of the central figure in Nathan's parable to King David, describing him as possessing "exceeding many flocks and herds." This vivid portrayal of vast abundance serves to create a sharp contrast with the poverty of his neighbor, setting the stage for a profound act of injustice. The verse masterfully prepares David to unwittingly confront and condemn his own egregious actions through the lens of this fictional, yet deeply resonant, narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the pivotal second line of the prophet Nathan's divinely inspired parable, delivered to King David. It directly follows the introduction of two men in a city—one rich, one poor—and precedes the poignant description of the poor man's singular, cherished lamb in [2 Samuel 12:3](/2_samuel/12-3 "2 Samuel 12:3 - The Poor Man's Single Lamb"). Nathan's narrative is a rhetorical masterpiece, meticulously crafted to expose David's profound sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the calculated murder of Uriah the Hittite, as detailed in the preceding chapter, [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"). The parable functions as a moral mirror, allowing David to render judgment on the rich man's actions, thereby revealing the depth of his own moral failure and abuse of power, without direct accusation until Nathan's powerful declaration in [2 Samuel 12:7](/2_samuel/12-7 "2 Samuel 12:7 - Nathan Confronts David: 'You Are the Man!'").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, wealth was primarily measured by tangible assets such as land, servants, and, most significantly, livestock. "Flocks and herds"—comprising sheep, goats, and cattle—represented not only essential sustenance but also considerable capital, social status, and economic power. A man described as having "exceeding many" of these animals would have been regarded as exceptionally prosperous, influential, and endowed with significant resources within his community. Kings, like David, typically commanded vast personal and national resources, including extensive royal herds. The prevailing cultural expectation, often reinforced by Mosaic Law, was that those blessed with abundance should exhibit generosity, justice, and protection, especially towards the vulnerable. Nathan's parable shrewdly leverages this cultural understanding of wealth and its associated responsibilities to underscore the rich man's (and, by extension, David's) profound transgression against both societal norms and divine principles.
* **Key Themes:** The description of the rich man's overwhelming prosperity in [2 Samuel 12:2](/2_samuel/12-2 "2 Samuel 12:2 - The Rich Man's Wealth") serves to amplify several critical themes within the broader narrative of [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Parable and David's Repentance") and the wider book of Samuel. It powerfully contributes to the theme of **Abundance and Power**, highlighting that the rich man's subsequent act of taking was not born of any necessity but rather of wanton greed and a callous disregard for the rights of the less fortunate. This immediately sets the stage for the theme of **Injustice and Exploitation**, illustrating how those with vast resources can cruelly abuse their privileged position. Furthermore, the verse is integral to the overarching theme of **Divine Confrontation and Accountability**, as the parable itself is God's divinely orchestrated means to bring David to a place of repentance. The stark contrast between the rich man's countless animals and the poor man's single, beloved lamb (vividly portrayed in [2 Samuel 12:3](/2_samuel/12-3 "2 Samuel 12:3 - The Poor Man's Single Lamb")) perfectly encapsulates the disproportionate and inexcusable nature of David's sin—taking Bathsheba despite having many wives, and unjustly taking Uriah's life when he had no right.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rich (Hebrew, _ʻâshîyr'_):** (H6223) This term denotes someone possessing significant material wealth, indicating not just financial prosperity but also the social standing and influence that typically accompanied such abundance in ancient Israel. In the context of the parable, it immediately establishes the first character as one who has no material need, making his subsequent actions all the more reprehensible and highlighting the gratuitous nature of his greed.
* **exceeding many (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd râbâh'_):** (H3966, H7235) This powerful intensifying phrase literally translates to "very much" or "greatly multiplied." It emphasizes an overwhelming, almost immeasurable, quantity or degree. Applied to the rich man's possessions, it underscores that his flocks and herds were not merely numerous but extraordinarily so, far exceeding what was necessary for sustenance, luxury, or even typical prosperity. This linguistic emphasis serves to heighten the moral outrage at his subsequent act of taking the poor man's single lamb, portraying his greed as utterly boundless and without justification.
* **flocks and herds (Hebrew, _tsôʼn bâqâr'_):** (H6629, H1241) These terms refer collectively to small livestock (sheep and goats) and large livestock (cattle), respectively. Together, they represent the full spectrum of pastoral wealth and agricultural capital in ancient Israel. The pairing signifies comprehensive and extensive ownership of animals, indicating a man of immense economic standing and diverse material abundance. The inclusion of both categories reinforces the idea of the rich man's vast and varied possessions, leaving no doubt as to the extent of his prosperity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The rich [man]":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the first character in Nathan's parable as an individual of substantial material wealth and, by clear implication, considerable social status and power. This designation is foundational for the parable's stark contrastive effect, setting up the dramatic tension between abundance and scarcity.
* **"had exceeding many flocks and herds:"** This clause vividly describes the extraordinary extent of the rich man's possessions. The phrase "exceeding many" functions as a powerful intensifier, emphasizing an abundance far beyond common means, underscoring his immense prosperity and seemingly limitless resources. The specific mention of "flocks and herds" identifies the nature of his wealth, which was typical for the agrarian society of ancient Israel, signifying both sustenance and capital. This detailed description is pivotal in building the moral outrage that will follow, as a man with such an overwhelming surplus has no conceivable or justifiable reason to covet or seize from another, especially one who possesses so little.

#### Literary Devices
Nathan's parable in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Parable and David's Repentance") masterfully employs several literary devices, commencing with the detailed description in [2 Samuel 12:2](/2_samuel/12-2 "2 Samuel 12:2 - The Rich Man's Wealth"). The primary device is **Parable**, a concise allegorical narrative designed to convey a moral or spiritual lesson. The rich man's vast wealth is a crucial element in establishing the profound **Contrast** between him and the poor man, a contrast that serves as potent **Symbolism** for King David's own disproportionate power and resources compared to Uriah and Bathsheba. The "exceeding many flocks and herds" are symbolic of David's numerous wives, his royal authority, and his vast personal resources. The rich man's actions, foreshadowed by his immense wealth, constitute an act of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the egregious injustice that will ultimately lead David to unwittingly condemn himself. The entire narrative functions as an extended **Analogy**, drawing a direct parallel between the rich man's sin and David's, compelling David to confront his own actions indirectly before Nathan's direct and piercing accusation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The description of the rich man's immense wealth in [2 Samuel 12:2](/2_samuel/12-2 "2 Samuel 12:2 - The Rich Man's Wealth") lays a theological foundation for comprehending the profound gravity of injustice, particularly when it is perpetrated by those who hold positions of power or possess great abundance. It powerfully illustrates that true righteousness is not merely defined by what one possesses, but by how one stewards those possessions and exercises power in relation to others. The rich man's actions, despite his overwhelming surplus, betray a heart consumed by greed and a callous disregard for the vulnerable, echoing timeless biblical principles that warn against the dangers of wealth when not managed with justice, compassion, and humility. This verse underscores God's deep and abiding concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, and His unwavering commitment to holding even the most powerful individuals accountable for their actions and the ethical use of their resources.

* [Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the Poor")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [James 2:1-4](/james/2-1-4 "James 2:1-4 - Favoritism Forbidden")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The parable's opening description of the rich man's "exceeding many flocks and herds" serves as a profound and challenging invitation to self-examination. It compels us to honestly consider how we manage our own resources—whether they be material possessions, spiritual gifts, relational capital, or positional influence. Do we, like the rich man, operate from a place of entitlement, assuming we have the right to take from others even when we possess more than enough? Or do we consciously choose to steward our abundance with generosity, justice, and compassionate consideration, especially towards those who have little? This verse is a poignant reminder that true wealth and blessedness are not found in mere accumulation, but in righteous distribution and the ethical exercise of power. It challenges us to cultivate a heart that is acutely sensitive to the needs and vulnerabilities of others, recognizing that our blessings are not solely for our own consumption but are given, in part, to enable us to be agents of blessing and justice in the lives of those around us. The narrative of David's conviction through this parable also teaches us about the divine wisdom and patience of God in confronting our sin, often using indirect means to allow us to see ourselves clearly before direct confrontation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life—be it material possessions, talents, time, or influence—do I possess "exceeding many" resources or advantages?**
* **How might my abundance, if not carefully stewarded, inadvertently lead to a disregard for the needs or rights of others, or even to a sense of entitlement?**
* **What concrete steps can I take to ensure that my resources are used justly, generously, and in ways that honor God and serve my neighbor, rather than becoming a source of exploitation or self-indulgence?**
* **How does this parable challenge my prevailing assumptions about wealth, power, and responsibility in today's complex world?**

### FAQ

**Why does Nathan emphasize the rich man's wealth so much at the beginning of the parable?**

Answer: Nathan emphasizes the rich man's "exceeding many flocks and herds" at the outset of the parable to highlight the profound and inexcusable injustice of his subsequent actions. By firmly establishing the rich man's immense abundance, Nathan makes it unequivocally clear that his taking of the poor man's single, beloved lamb was not an act born of necessity, convenience, or even a slight inconvenience, but rather one of pure, unadulterated greed and contempt for his neighbor's rights and dignity. This stark and deliberate contrast between the rich man's vast surplus and the poor man's singular scarcity (as vividly described in [2 Samuel 12:3](/2_samuel/12-3 "2 Samuel 12:3 - The Poor Man's Single Lamb")) is absolutely crucial for the parable's rhetorical power and its intended impact. It is meticulously designed to evoke a strong, visceral sense of moral outrage and righteous indignation in King David, leading him to unknowingly condemn his own actions of taking Bathsheba and Uriah's life, despite possessing many wives and wielding immense royal power (as detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah")). The emphasis on the rich man's overwhelming wealth serves to underscore the gratuitous, unprovoked, and utterly inexcusable nature of his sin, perfectly mirroring the depth and gravity of David's own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich man's overwhelming abundance in [2 Samuel 12:2](/2_samuel/12-2 "2 Samuel 12:2 - The Rich Man's Wealth"), juxtaposed with his subsequent act of seizing the poor man's sole possession, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation of injustice by Jesus Christ. While the rich man exemplifies the corrupting influence and abuse of power and privilege, Christ embodies perfect justice, selfless humility, and boundless generosity. Unlike the rich man who took what was not his, Jesus, though "rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Sake")). He did not exploit the vulnerable but profoundly identified with them, declaring that what is done to "one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")). The parable's exposure of a king's abuse of power ultimately points to the true King of Kings, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Christ's perfect righteousness, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to justice stand in stark contrast to the rich man's greed and David's sin, offering the ultimate solution for humanity's pervasive injustice through His atoning work on the cross, where He took upon Himself the penalty for our sins, including the sin of exploitation and disregard for others ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")).

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

Job 1:3

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

2 Samuel 3:2

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2 Samuel 3:5

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

2 Samuel 12:8

And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

2 Samuel 15:16

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house.

2 Samuel 5:13

And David took [him] more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

2 Samuel 5:16

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.