2 Samuel 12:1, 7, & 12, 13, “The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. Then Nathan said to David. “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “I anointed you king over Israel and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight, before all Israel.” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
In my NIV Application Bible, it lists Nathan as one of those that had a profile, of example of a godly man who trusted in God in the Old Testament. He was a court prophet, a trusted advisor of David, a friend, a fearless but discerning confronter, and David’s Biblical counselor, and God’s messenger. We read in 2 Samuel 7, “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says . . .” When Nathan confronted David of his sins in coveting, theft, adultery, and murder, in stealing Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, in 2 Samuel 12, it took great discernment of the right words with compassion but tact, skill, and courage, in his delivery to a king in rebuking him. Nathan pointed out to David his sin and delivered God’s message to him. Nathan’s role was to confront sin. How the message is presented is critical backed up with the truth found in God’s Word. James 1:14-15 is truth, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is literally what happened to David in that situation in 2 Samuel 12. David repented and wrote Psalm 51, David’s plea for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. Then Psalm 32, which he wrote, talks about forgiveness bringing great joy, as verse one states, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” In both, David confesses his sin to God, and God forgave him.
What about our words? Proverbs 16:1 states, “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.” We read in verses 16, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Nathan confronted David tactfully, directly, and skillfully. He got his point across succinctly, by pointing out to David that he would not have tolerated such behavior, and David repented. “David didn’t defend himself or try to blame Bathsheba. He simply and succinctly said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord. Period.” No amplification and honest confession.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament, page 928.
Life is often times brutal and miserable. Even if we don’t get everything we want, we still have God’s Word of truthful promises, such as Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” NLT. And Romans 8:28-29 ESV declares, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” If the OT prophet, Nathan, came to my house today, I believe that is what God would tell him to say to me, and then would remind me to take hope and trust in God’s sovereign plan. The profile of Nathan is an example of trusting God and coming alongside someone who needs God’s words in their life at a specific time, even if the truth is painful. We all need to judge our own actions alongside Scripture, so as to have the right words at the right time.
Listen to Only For A Moment by Danny Gokey YouTube Video.