2 Samuel 12:6-16

6 For having done such a cruel thing, he must pay back four times as much as he took."

7 "You are that man," Nathan said to David. "And this is what the Lord God of Israel says: "I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.

8 I gave you his kingdom and his wives; I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much.

9 Why, then, have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle; you let the Ammonites kill him, and then you took his wife!

10 Now, in every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah's wife.

11 I swear to you that I will cause someone from your own family to bring trouble on you. You will see it when I take your wives from you and give them to another man; and he will have intercourse with them in broad daylight. ¹

12 You sinned in secret, but I will make this happen in broad daylight for all Israel to see.' "

13 "I have sinned against the Lord," David said. Nathan replied, "The Lord forgives you; you will not die.

14 But because you have shown such contempt for the Lord in doing this, your child will die."

15 Then Nathan went home. The Lord caused the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David to become very sick.

16 David prayed to God that the child would get well. He refused to eat anything, and every night he went into his room and spent the night lying on the floor.

2 Samuel 12:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 12

Nathan is sent to David to charge him with his sin, and convince him of it by a parable, 2Sa 12:1-6; which being accommodated and applied to David's case, brought him to a conviction and acknowledgment of it, and repentance for it, which was forgiven him, 2Sa 12:7-13; though he is told the child begotten in adultery should die, and it was quickly struck with sickness and died; and David's behaviour during its sickness and at its death is recorded, 2Sa 12:14-23; after which Solomon was born to him of the same woman, and had the name of Jedidiah given him by the Lord, which signifies the beloved of the Lord, and as a token of reconciliation, and a confirmation of his sin being forgiven him, 2Sa 12:24,25; and the chapter is concluded with the taking of the city of Rabbah, and the spoil in it, and the usage of the inhabitants of it, 2Sa 12:26-31.

Cross References

• 1. 12.11, 12 2 Samuel 16.22.