2 Samuel 12:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-14

It seems to have been a great while after David had been guilty of adultery with Bath-sheba before he was brought to repentance for it. For, when Nathan was sent to him, the child was born (2 Sam. 12:14), so that it was about nine months that David lay under the guilt of that sin, and, for aught that appears, unrepented of. What shall we think of David's state all this while? Can we imagine that his heart never smote him for it, or that he never lamented it in secret before God? I would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:4

And there came a traveller unto the rich man ,.... By which some understand Satan, who came to David, and stirred up his lust by the temptations that offered; who is a walker, as the word used signifies, that goes about seeking whom he may devour, and is with good men only as a wayfaring man, who does not abide with them; and whose temptations, when they succeed with such, are as meat and drink to him, very entertaining but the Jews generally understand it of the evil imagination or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-4

( THE KING 'S PALACE .) The parable of the rich oppressor; or, the poor man's lamb. 1 . This is the first and almost the only parable contained in the Old Testament. There is one instance of a fable of earlier date ( 9:8-15 ). The former belongs to a higher order of teaching than the latter (Smith's 'Dict. of the Bible,' art. "Fable;" Trench, 'Notes on the Parables'); and it was employed most perfectly by the great Teacher. Compare his parables of the unmerciful servant,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-14

The facts are: 1. God sends Nathan the prophet to David, who tells him a story of the greed of a wicked rich man, who, to satisfy his avarice, took away and slew the pot ewe lamb of a poor man. 2 . David, accepting the story as a matter of fact, is very angry with this man, and swears that for his deed and lack of compassion he ought to die and restore fourfold. 3 . Nathan thereupon reveals the parabolic character of his narrative, by saying unto David, "Thou art the man !" 4 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:4

A traveller, … wayfaring man,… man that was come to him. Nathan probably used these three terms chiefly to diversify his language, but it has served as a handle for much allegorizing. Thus Rashi explains it of covetousness, which comes at first as a mere "passer by," the literal meaning of the word rendered "traveller." But, if admitted, it grows into "a wayfaring man," who comes and goes on business, and stays a longer time. Finally it changes into "one who has come to him," and remains... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 12:4

2 Samuel 12:4. There came a traveller unto the rich man This aptly signifies David’s roving affection, which he suffered to wander from his own home, and to covet another man’s wife. The Jewish doctors say it represents the evil disposition or desire that is in us, which must be carefully watched and resisted when we feel its motions. But took the poor man’s lamb Nathan, in this parable, omits touching the murder committed to cover the adultery, perhaps in order that David might not... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-31

11:1-20:26 CONFLICTS IN DAVID’S FAMILYDavid takes Bathsheba as wife (11:1-12:31)While the Israelite army was out fighting another battle against Ammon, David, back in Jerusalem, committed a series of sins that brought him sorrow and trouble for the rest of his life. To begin with, he was guilty of sexual immorality with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, one of David’s top soldiers (11:1-5; cf. 23:39).On discovering that Bathsheba was pregnant, David thought of a plan to cover up his sin. He recalled... read more

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

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

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