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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 12:1-31

David’s Repentance and Pardon. The Capture of Rabbah4. To dress for the wayfaring man] We may notice Eastern ideas of hospitality: cp. Genesis 18:3-5. 5. Shall surely die] David’s impulsive temper breaks out again: cp. 1 Samuel 25:22.11. For the fulfilment of this threat, see 2 Samuel 16:21, 2 Samuel 16:22. David’s repentance secured the forgiveness of God, but it did not avert the punishment of his sin. 13. Thou shalt not die] This was the punishment David himself had pronounced on the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 12:13

(13) I have sinned.—The same words were used by Saul (1 Samuel 15:24; 1 Samuel 15:30), but in a totally different spirit. Saul’s confession was a concession to the prophet for the purpose of securing his support, and with no real penitence; David, in these few words, pours out before God the confession of a broken heart.Thou shalt not die.—David had committed two crimes for which the Law imposed the penalty of death—adultery (Leviticus 20:10) and murder (Leviticus 24:17). As an absolute monarch... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 12:14

(14) Thou hast given great occasion.—Although David was forgiven, yet since his sin had brought great scandal on the church, it was necessary that he should suffer publicly the consequences of that sin. We can see that this was especially important in David’s case, both for the vindication of God’s justice, and to destroy the hope that other sins also might go unpunished; yet it is not to be forgotten that the effect of sin generally is similar. The far greater part of David’s sufferings were... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 12:1-31

Nathan and David 2 Samuel 12:7 Holy Scripture leaves us in no manner of doubt as to the general character of David (1 Samuel 13:14 ). So that we cannot doubt of David's favour and acceptance with God before he sinned so grievously. Moreover, his own writings have come down to us as witness of his affection towards God; his Psalms say plainly what his mind must have been, for we still use them, as they have ever been used in the Church of God both by Jews and Christians, as the best expression... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-12

CHAPTER XV.DAVID AND NATHAN.2 Samuel 12:1-12; 2 Samuel 12:26-31.IT is often the method of the writers of Scripture, when the stream of public history has been broken by a private or personal incident, to complete at once the incident, and then go back to the principal history, resuming it at the point at which it was interrupted. In this way it sometimes happens (as we have already seen) that earlier events are recorded at a later part of the narrative than the natural order would imply. In the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:13-25

CHAPTER XVI.PENITENCE AND CHASTISEMENT.2 Samuel 12:13-25.WHEN Nathan ended his message, plainly and strongly though he had spoken, David indicated no irritation, made no complaint against the prophet, but simply and humbly confessed - "I have sinned." It is so common for men to be offended when a servant of God remonstrates with them, and to impute their interference to an unworthy motive, and to the desire of someone to hurt and humiliate them, that it is refreshing to find a great king... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 12:1-31

2. The Message of God and David’s Confession and the Beginning of the Chastisement CHAPTER 12 1. The Lord’s message through Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-4 ) 2. David’s anger (2 Samuel 12:5-6 ) 3. Thou art the man! (2 Samuel 12:7-9 ) 4. The chastisement (2 Samuel 12:10-12 ) 5. David’s confession (2 Samuel 12:13 ) 6. The death of the child announced (2 Samuel 12:14 ) 7. The death of the child and David’s grief (2 Samuel 12:15-23 ) 8. Solomon born (2 Samuel 12:24-25 ) 9. Rabbah taken... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 12:11

12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this {f} sun.(f) Meaning openly, at noon. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 12:13

12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath {g} put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.(g) For the Lord seeks the sinner to turn to him. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 12:14

12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to {h} blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.(h) In saying, that the Lord has appointed a wicked man to reign over his people. read more

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