READ: 2 Sam. 12:1–13a: … You are the man! … Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house …’ So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’
After committing his sins, David does not turn to the LORD; he waits. Months pass, and only after Bathsheba has given birth does the prophet Nathan confront him.
Nathan tells David a parable about the harm caused by his sin. He speaks of a poor man who had a cherished lamb, his only possession, which he loved deeply. A rich neighbor, despite having many animals, seizes this lamb to prepare a meal for a guest.
David reacts furiously, declaring that the rich man deserves to die! He even invokes the name of God. It is remarkable that David demands such an extreme punishment when the law required only fourfold restitution. Perhaps David’s guilty conscience played a role here.
However, Nathan’s story leads David to pronounce the judgment Nathan intended: “You are the man.”
Nathan then highlights the grievous nature of David’s sin against the LORD. David had horrifically violated God’s commandments despite the LORD’s abundant blessings to him. Now, David stands guilty of murder and adultery.
Nathan underscores this further by reminding David of his position as king of God’s people: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I would have given you much more. Why have you despised the word of the LORD?”
Then Nathan pronounces God’s judgment: Just as David used the sword, the LORD will bring the sword into his house. David’s own wives will be taken by others in public disgrace. At this, David finally confesses, saying: “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Is every sin ultimately a sin against the LORD? Why?
Sing: Ps. 32:2