Nathan Challenges David
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Key Verse: “When the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.” Selected Scripture: |
KING DAVID COMMITTED A grievous sin after he noticed Bathsheba, a beautiful, married woman, from the roof of his house one evening and took her to his bed. In an attempt to hide this wicked deed, he ultimately arranged for the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite.—II Sam. 11:3-24
Our Key Verses indicate David then took Bathsheba as his wife and she subsequently bore him a son. In view of God’s displeasure with David’s conduct, he sent the Prophet Nathan to rebuke the king.
Nathan gave a parable in which a rich man took a poor man’s possession. Upon hearing of the rich man’s actions David became angry and said this evil deed should surely be punished.—II Sam. 12:2-6
In a pointed fashion, Nathan drove home the lesson by declaring to David “Thou art the man.”—vs. 7
As God’s mouthpiece, Nathan, in condemning David, cited many Divine blessings which the king had received, but also indicated several sinful acts he had committed despite God’s goodness towards him. (vss. 8,9) Additionally, Divine retribution was meted out against the king for his gross misdeeds. David then acknowledged his sin, repented, and received forgiveness. (Ps. 32:1-4) Although David’s life was spared, the son that was born from his illicit union with Uriah’s wife was struck with an illness and eventually died.—II Sam. 12:13-18
Each believer who has consecrated his life to God during this Gospel Age may take important lessons from this narrative for self application. (Gal. 6:7,8) If we are seeking to do the Heavenly Father’s will, even though imperfect in the flesh, we will have to manifest purity of heart as well as a life of devotion towards spiritual ideals.
As we seek to be faithful to the great calling we have received to share in the privilege of reigning with Christ in his kingdom to help bless the human family, may we ever keep this admonition close to our hearts and minds. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”—James 1:13,14
God is totally opposed to sin, is not the author of sin, and does not tempt anyone to sin. However, when believers err and sincerely repent, God’s mercy is applied and the errant one is forgiven and restored. As Spirit begotten children, even though we have a compassionate Heavenly Father, it would be far better if we did everything possible in our lives to resist sin by setting our affections upon heavenly, rather than fleshly, pursuits. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, … Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”—Col. 3:1,2