Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 12 Summary
Nathan's Judgment and David's Repentance
The Lord sends the prophet Nathan to rebuke David through a parable of a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest. David, not recognizing himself in the story, pronounces death upon the guilty man. Nathan reveals David is that man, having taken Uriah's wife and murdered him with the sword of the Ammonites. The Lord declares the sword will never depart from David's house, evil will arise from his own family, and his wives will be violated before all Israel. David confesses his sin, and though Nathan assures him the Lord has removed his sin and he will not die, the child born of the adultery must die as judgment. The child becomes gravely ill; David fasts and prays, but after seven days the child dies. David then rises, washes, worships, and comforts Bathsheba, who bears him another son, Solomon, whom the Lord loves.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 12:7
“And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;”
2 Samuel 12:10
“Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.”
2 Samuel 12:13
“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
2 Samuel 12:24-25
“And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.”
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