Nathan and David

GOLDEN TEXT: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” —Psalm 51:2,3

II SAMUEL 12:1-7, 9, 10, 13, 14

ONE of the traits of fallen human nature is the failure to see faults in one’s self that are so apparent to others. This was David’s experience. When Nathan the prophet related to David the story of the poor man whose cherished ewe lamb was taken from him by a rich neighbor, he was quick to recognize the injustice and, according to the Revised Version translation, heatedly exclaimed that the man who had done this unjust and cruel thing was “worthy to die.”—vs. 5

Not until it was called to his attention by Nathan did David realize that he had committed a crime which was far more reprehensible in that he had arranged for the murder of a man that he might have his wife. There was no excuse for this, for as Nathan pointed out, the Lord had wonderfully blessed David.

Outlining these blessings, Nathan said to David, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.”—vss. 7,8

Not until Nathan said to David, “Thou art the man,” and reminded him of the gross injustice of his crime had David realized the extent of his sin. It was a sin for which, according to the Law given to Israel by the hand of Moses, he should have been put to death, and doubtless would have been, had he not manifested such genuine heart repentance. “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”—vs. 13

The entire 51st Psalm, from which our Golden Text is taken, is an expression of David’s sincere repentance when his sin was brought to his attention by Nathan “Have mercy upon me, O God,” he wrote, “according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”—vs. 1

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,” David continued, “and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Here David is expressing the inner thoughts of his heart. But at the same time, being one of the inspired servants of the Lord, his words convey the conditions upon which the Lord will extend his forgiveness to any and all of his people, for they are all imperfect and need his mercy.

In Psalm 51:5 David wrote, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” This was true of David, and it is also true of the entire human race. Paul wrote that “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”—Rom. 5:12

Inasmuch as the death condemnation came upon all mankind through the one man, Adam, it made possible the redemption of all from death through the one man, Jesus. Paul explains it thus: “As by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life”—Rom. 5:18

This means, of course, that provision has been made through Christ for justification to life to be made available to all. Knowledge of the “gift,” acceptance, and compliance with its conditions are essential in order actually to receive life. During the present age this is upon the basis of faith. During the kingdom age those who accept the gift, and comply with the laws of the kingdom will be restored to perfection and live forever as humans, even as Adam would have done had he remained obedient.

In the case of David, while the full penalty for his crime under the Law was not imposed, he did not go free from all punishment. The child which was born to him through his sin was not permitted to live, and this was a severe blow to David. Nevertheless, David could feelingly write, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”—Ps. 103:8-11

While here David was again reflecting the background of his own experiences, through inspiration he was also revealing God’s attitude of kindness and mercy toward all of fallen humanity. God loves the world of sinners, and, through Christ, has made provision for their forgiveness and reconciliation.

QUESTIONS

Do we usually recognize our own faults as readily as we should?

What attitude should we take toward our wrong doing?

Why was David a man after God’s own heart?

How is God’s mercy and kindness shown toward the fallen race?

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