Nathan was an important prophet in the biblical narrative who played a key role during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. He first appears in 2 Samuel 7 when he relays a message from God to David about building a temple. Nathan goes on to confront David regarding his sin with Bathsheba and pronounce God’s judgement on David’s household. Later, Nathan supports Solomon as David’s successor to the throne. Some key facts about Nathan include:
- Nathan was a prophet who received direct revelation and messages from God to deliver to others.
- He first appears when he delivers a message to David about God’s promise to establish David’s kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7). However, God tells Nathan that David will not be the one to build the temple.
- Nathan boldly confronts David regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. He pronounces judgement on David’s household because of this sin (2 Samuel 12).
- After David’s sins, Nathan continues to be an advisor. He rebukes David for his pride in taking a census of Israel (1 Chronicles 21).
- During Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne from Solomon, Nathan helps Bathsheba appeal to David and ensures Solomon is anointed as king (1 Kings 1).
- Nathan is listed as a leader who helped appoint musicians and organize worship under David’s leadership (2 Chronicles 29:25).
- The last mention of Nathan is advising Bathsheba to go to the elderly King Solomon early in his reign (1 Kings 1:22-27).
Nathan played an important role as a prophet and advisor to King David and the early Israelite monarchy. His bold confrontation of David demonstrated that even kings were subject to God’s standard. Nathan spoke truth to power and pronounced God’s judgment, even on the man after God’s own heart. The prophet’s legacy served as a model for future prophets in Israel.
Nathan First Appears with a Message from God for David
The first mention of Nathan the prophet comes in 2 Samuel 7 during the reign of King David. After David’s palace is built, he remarks to Nathan that he dwells in a house of cedar while the ark of the covenant remains in a tent. Nathan tells David to go ahead and do what he proposes since the Lord is with him (v.3). However, that same night God speaks to Nathan and gives him a message for David.
God tells Nathan He has never asked any leader to build Him a permanent temple. Rather, He has dwelled in a tent and tabernacle with the people. The Lord then makes a covenant with David – God will establish David’s house and kingdom forever. One of David’s offspring will rule on his throne eternally. However, God states that David will not be the one to build His temple. While God confirms Nathan’s original encouragement was well-meaning, the prophet now has to return to David with a more complex message from the Lord.
This interaction highlights Nathan’s role as a prophet who received and delivered direct revelation from God. Even when Nathan spoke on his own initiative with good intentions, he still consulted the Lord and humbly returned to David with God’s true message. As a prophet, Nathan was set apart to convey the word of the Lord accurately.
Nathan Confronts David After His Sins with Bathsheba and Uriah
After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the murder of her husband Uriah, the prophet Nathan was called on once again to confront David regarding his grievous sins. 2 Samuel 12 details this famous interaction where Nathan uses a parable to convict David and elicit his anger, before dropping the bombshell that David is the man who did such an injustice.
Nathan compares David’s actions to a rich man with many sheep who takes the one beloved lamb of a poor man for his own pleasure. David burns with anger at the story and declares the man worthy of death. Nathan’s dramatic response – “You are the man!” – pierces David’s heart. The prophet makes it clear that David despised God’s command and deserves punishment. Nathan declares that the child from David’s illicit relationship will die and his wives will be taken publicly by another man.
While David acknowledges his sin and repents before the Lord, Nathan still pronounces devastating judgment on his household because “you have shown utter contempt for the Lord.” God forgives David but his family and kingdom will face turmoil because of his serious sins. Nathan fulfilled the difficult role of confronting even the powerful King David and declaring God’s sobering judgment on his house.
Nathan Continues Advising David Throughout His Reign
Even after pronouncing judgement on David, Nathan continues serving as his advisor and prophet throughout the rest of his reign. Here are some other interactions between Nathan and David described in the Bible:
- When David takes a census of fighting men in Israel, Nathan confronts him regarding his pride and reliance on numbers rather than the Lord (1 Chronicles 21:1-7).
- Nathan and the prophet Gad both instruct David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which becomes the future site of the temple (2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21:18).
- Along with the prophets Samuel and Gad, Nathan records some of the events of David’s reign (1 Chronicles 29:29).
- During the rebellion of David’s son Absalom, Nathan advises David to flee Jerusalem to save his life (2 Samuel 15:28).
- Nathan is listed alongside the seer Gad aspersonal prophets who assisted and advised King David (1 Chronicles 29:29, 2 Chronicles 9:29).
Clearly Nathan retained a close relationship with David as his trusted advisor and prophet, even after delivering the difficult confrontation and message of judgment in 2 Samuel 12. The Bible notes that Nathan “was dear to David” (1 Chronicles 29:29). Nathan continued to provide wise counsel to the king and record details of his reign.
Nathan Ensures Solomon Succeeds David as King
One of Nathan’s most significant roles was ensuring Solomon succeeded David as king over Israel. When Adonijah attempts to seize the throne prematurely, Nathan initiates the plan for David to proclaim Solomon as rightful heir (1 Kings 1). He realizes Adonijah has proclaimed himself king without David or Solomon’s knowledge.
Nathan advises Bathsheba to go to King David and remind him of his oath that her son Solomon would rule after him. The prophet also warns they will both be killed if Adonijah takes over. Nathan comes in while she is speaking to the king and confirms everything. He attributes the rebellion to God so that the king will fulfill his earlier promise to Bathsheba.
David orders Solomon to be anointed king and pronounces, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every hardship, as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall succeed me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so will I do this day” (1 Kings 1:29-30). Nathan’s initiative ensures David’s timely public choice of Solomon as successor.
The prophet also plays a key role in Solomon’s second inauguration ceremony in 1 Kings 1:32-40. After arranging for Solomon to ride David’s mule into Gihon, Nathan anoints him king and oversees the celebration and enthronement of Israel’s new king. Along with the priest Zadok, Nathan helps lead this critical transition of power.
Nathan’s Last Appearance Advising Bathsheba
The final mention of Nathan the prophet comes early in Solomon’s reign when he advises Bathsheba to go to the new king. According to 1 Kings 1:22-27, Nathan counsels Bathsheba to approach King Solomon and ask that he fulfill David’s promise to make her son his successor. When she obtains this promise from Solomon, Nathan tells her the new king’s oath has confirmed he will fulfill her request.
This episode highlights Nathan’s ongoing role as an advisor and prophet involved in securing the succession of Israel’s kings. Even as he aged, Nathan provided wisdom and counsel to Bathsheba on retaining her influence and seeing Solomon firmly established as king. His final appearance fits with Nathan’s consistent support for David’s dynasty.
Key Takeaways on Nathan the Prophet
In summary, here are some key facts to remember about Nathan the prophet in the Bible:
- Nathan was a respected prophet who received direct messages from God to deliver to David and others.
- He humbly corrected his initial advice to David about building the temple after receiving revelation from God.
- Nathan boldly confronted David about his sins with Bathsheba and pronounced God’s judgement.
- He continued to be an advisor and chronicler of David’s reign after this confrontation.
- Nathan played a key role in ensuring Solomon succeeded David as king over Israel.
- His legacy as a forthright prophet of God who spoke truth to power established a model for future prophets.
Nathan walked closely with God and demonstrated courage to confront sin and secure justice, even risking his relationship with the King. As a prophet, he faithfully delivered both blessings and hard truths to Israel’s leaders. Nathan’s character and wisdom shine through in his pivotal interactions with King David and King Solomon.