Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Nathan condemns David by telling him a parable. David and Batsheba’s son dies, but the two have a second son named Solomon. David’s general conquers the Ammonite capital.
II. Photo
Nathan tells David a parable: “The poor man had only one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He tended it and it grew up together with him and his children: it used to share his morsel of bread, drink from his cup, and nestle in his bosom; it was like a daughter to him.” (v. 3)
III. Important Verses
1-7a: “And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said, “There were two men in the same city, one rich and one poor. The rich man had very large flocks and herds, but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He tended it and it grew up together with him and his children: it used to share his morsel of bread, drink from his cup, and nestle in his bosom; it was like a daughter to him. One day, a traveler came to the rich man, but he was loath to take anything from his own flocks or herds to prepare a meal for the guest who had come to him; so he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” David flew into a rage against the man, and said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He shall pay for the lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and showed no pity.” And Nathan said to David, “That man is you!”
13-14: David said to Nathan, “I stand guilty before the LORD!” And Nathan replied to David, “The LORD has remitted your sin; you shall not die. However, since you have spurned the enemies of the LORD by this deed, even the child about to be born to you shall die.”
24-25: David consoled his wife Bathsheba; he went to her and lay with her. She bore a son and she named him Solomon. The LORD favored him, and He sent a message through the prophet Nathan; and he was named Jedidiah at the instance of the LORD.
27-28: Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have attacked Rabbah and I have already captured the water city. Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it; otherwise I will capture the city myself, and my name will be connected with it.”
IV. Outline
1-25. David’s punishment; Solomon’s birth
1-4. Nathan’s parable
5-6. David’s response
7-10. Nathan explains the parable
11-12. David’s punishment
13a. David admits his sin
13b-14. David’s life is spared, but his child’s is not
15. Batsheba’s son becomes ill
16-19. Despite David’s repentance, the child dies
20-23. David’s response
24-25. Solomon is born and named Jedidiah
26-31. Rabbah is captured
26-29. Joab cattures Rabbah but gives David the credit
30-31a. Booty; slaves
31b. David and his troops return to Jerusalem
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Anderson, A. A. “2 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 11 (Waco Texas: Wordbooks, 1989).
Campbell, Antony F. “2 Samuel” The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, vol 8 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eedrdmans, 2005).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://www.ethiopiafirst.com/images/Tourism/Little-boy-carring-lamb.JPG
