FBCHS- Bible Study "David and Nathan"

David & Nathan

2Samuel 7:4-16a

First, David and Nathan meet in 2 Samuel 7 regarding David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord (cf. 1 Chronicles 17). In verse 3 David shares, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” Nathan at first encouraged David to move forward with whatever plans he had. Yet that night the Lord spoke to Nathan, giving this message for David: “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Nathan shared this with David. David put his plans for the temple on hold and responded to God’s guidance with a prayer of gratitude. 
 
The second recorded meeting between David and Nathan is not so congenial. In 2 Samuel 12 Nathan confronts David regarding his relationship with Bathsheba and the cover-up of their affair. The Lord had commanded Nathan to share a story of a rich man who took and killed a poor man’s only lamb.