2 Samuel 12:2

2 The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen.

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 And the Lord sent Nathan to David: and when he was come to him, he said to him: There were two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen.
3 But the poor man had nothing at all but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was unto him as a daughter.
4 And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, who was come to him, but took the poor man’s ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David’s anger being exceedingly kindled against that man, he said to Nathan: As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this is a child of death.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.