2 Samuel 12:2

2 The rich [man] had very many flocks and herds,

2 Samuel 12:2 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 12:2

The rich [man] had exceeding many flocks and herds.
] In which the wealth of men lay in those times and countries; these in the parable signify David's wives and concubines, which were many; he had six wives in Hebron, and he took more wives and concubines out of Jerusalem, when he was come from Hebron, ( 2 Samuel 3:2-5 ) ( 5:13 ) ; and besides his master's, or Saul's wives, given to him, ( 2 Samuel 12:8 ) .

2 Samuel 12:2 In-Context

1 So Yahweh sent Nathan to David, and he came to him and said, "Two men were in a certain city; one [was] rich and the other [was] poor.

2 The rich [man] had very many flocks and herds,

3 but the poor [man] had nothing except for one small ewe lamb which he had bought. He had nurtured her, and she grew up with him and with his children together. She used to eat from his morsel and drink from his cup, and she used to lie in his lap and became like a daughter for him.

4 And a visitor came to the rich man, but he {was reluctant} to take from his flocks or from his herds to prepare a meal for the traveler when he came to him. So he took the ewe lamb of the poor man and prepared it for the man who had come to him."

5 Then {the anger of David was kindled} against the man, and he said to Nathan, "{As Yahweh lives}, the man who has done this {deserves to die}!