Thematic Bible




2 Samuel 12:1 (show verse)

Jehovah sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said: There were two men in a certain city. One was rich and the other was poor.

2 Samuel 12:2 (show verse)

The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle.

2 Samuel 12:3 (show verse)

But the poor man had only one little female lamb that he bought. He raised her, and she grew up in his home with his children. She would eat his food and drink from his cup. She rested in his arms and was like a daughter to him.

2 Samuel 12:4 (show verse)

Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the traveler.

2 Samuel 12:5 (show verse)

David became very angry with the rich man. He said: I swear by the living God Jehovah that the man who did this should die!

2 Samuel 12:6 (show verse)

For doing such a cruel thing he should pay back four times for the lamb he took, for he had no compassion.

2 Samuel 12:7 (show verse)

You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.

2 Samuel 12:8 (show verse)

I gave you his kingdom and his wives. Then I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much.

2 Samuel 12:9 (show verse)

Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife!

2 Samuel 12:10 (show verse)

In every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah's wife.

2 Samuel 12:11 (show verse)

I swear to you that I will cause someone from your own family to bring trouble to you. You will see it when I take your wives from you and give them to another man. He will have intercourse with them in broad daylight.

2 Samuel 12:12 (show verse)

You did this secretly. I will make this happen in broad daylight in front of all Israel.'

2 Samuel 12:13 (show verse)

David said to Nathan: I have sinned against Jehovah. Nathan replied: Jehovah has taken away your sin. You will not die.

2 Samuel 12:14 (show verse)

You have shown total contempt for Jehovah by this affair. Therefore the son that is born to you must die.

2 Samuel 12:15 (show verse)

Nathan went home. Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife had given birth to David. The child became sick.

2 Samuel 12:16 (show verse)

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.
Afflicted saints » Examples of afflicted saints » David
Beds » Not used in affliction
Bereavement » Instances of » David » Of his child by bath-sheba
Children » Prayer in behalf of
Children » Prayers for » David, for the life of his child
Children » Death of, as a judgment upon parents » David's child by uriah's wife
David » King of israel » Death of his infant son (born from bath-sheba)
Diseases » God often entreated to cure
Family » Examples of fathers' love » David
Family » Parental prayers » David, for the life of his child
Family » Devotions » David, for the life of his child
Fasting » Examples of » Israel
Fasting » Of saints--exemplified
Fasting » Observed on occasions of » Private afflictions
Fasting » Instances of » Of david » Child » By bath-sheba
Fasting » Private afflictions
Fathers » Examples of fathers' love » David
Home » Examples of fathers' love » David
Home » Parental prayers » David, for the life of his child
Love » Examples of fathers' love » David
Love » Paternal » David
Love » Fathers » David
Mourning » For the dead » Lying on the ground
Parents » Prayers on behalf of children » Of david
Parents » Should pray for their children » When in sickness
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » David
Parents » Prayers » David, for the life of his child
Paternal love » Examples of fathers' love » David
Penitence » Instances of » David
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Sometimes refused because not in accord with the divine will
Prayer » Parental prayers » David, for the life of his child
Religion » Parental prayers » David, for the life of his child
Seven » Days » Fasts of
Worship » Parental prayers » David, for the life of his child

2 Samuel 12:17 (show verse)

The elders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground. But he was unwilling and he would not eat with them.

2 Samuel 12:18 (show verse)

On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself.

2 Samuel 12:19 (show verse)

David saw that his servants were whispering to one another. He realized (discerned) that the child was dead. Is the child dead? David asked them. Yes, he is dead. They answered.

2 Samuel 12:20 (show verse)

David got up from the floor. He took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the Temple of Jehovah. After that he returned to the palace and ate.

2 Samuel 12:21 (show verse)

We do not understand, his servants said, while the child was alive you would not eat. As soon as he died, you got up and ate!

2 Samuel 12:22 (show verse)

David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live.

2 Samuel 12:23 (show verse)

Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

2 Samuel 12:24 (show verse)

David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to bed with her, and she later gave birth to a son. David named him Solomon. Jehovah loved the child.

2 Samuel 12:25 (show verse)

He sent a message through the prophet Nathan to name the baby Jedidiah (Jehovah's Beloved).

2 Samuel 12:26 (show verse)

Meanwhile, Joab fought against the Ammonite city of Rabbah and captured its royal fortress.

2 Samuel 12:27 (show verse)

He sent messengers to tell David: I fought against Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding its water supply.

2 Samuel 12:28 (show verse)

Assemble the rest of the troops. Surround the city and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city. Then it will be named after me.

2 Samuel 12:29 (show verse)

David assembled the rest of the army and attacked Rabbah. He captured the city.

2 Samuel 12:30 (show verse)

He removed the crown of their god Milcom from off the head of their king. The crown was made of seventy-five pounds of gold. There was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his own crown. He also carried off everything else of value.

2 Samuel 12:31 (show verse)

David made the people of Rabbah tear down the city walls with iron picks and axes. He also put them to work making bricks. He did the same thing with all the other Ammonite cities. David went back to Jerusalem. The people of Israel returned to their homes.