2 Samuel 12

The Prophet Nathan, by Gods command, setteth before David’s eyes his grievious sins, under a certain parable sharpely reproving his unthankfulness, and threatening heavy judgements against him, v.1. &c. David confesseth his sins, and obtaineth pardon of God for them, yet with an addition of sharp chastisement, 13. he prayeth and fasteth, and mourneth grievously for the sick child, while it yet lived, but is cheared again, when it was dead, 15. of which being demanded, he giveth a reason, 21. obtaineth after that by Bathseba the promised son Solomon, who is called Jedidja, 24. David subdueth Rabba, and punisheth the Ammonites grievously, 26.

1. And the LORD sent Nathan [The Prophet, as above cha.7.2.] unto David: When he came in unto him, he said unto him; there were two men in one city the one rich, and the other poor. [by means of this parable and the exposition thereof it pleased God first to bring his servant David to this, that he ignorantly passed sentence against himself, and the next place awaked out of the sleep of his sins, laid to heart the abomination and odiousness thereof, and obtained and manifested true sincere repentance for the same.]

2. The rich (man) had exceeding many sheep and oxen.

3. But the poor (man) had nothing at all, save one only small ew-lamb, which he had bought and had nourished it up, that it was grown great with him, and with his children likewise: it did eat of his (own) morsel, and drink of his (own) cup, and slept in his bosom, and it was unto him as a daughter.

4. Now when (there) came a traveller unto the rich man, he spared to take of his (own) sheep, and of his (own) oxen, to dress (something) for the way-faring man, that was come to him: and he took the poor mans ew-lamb, and dressed that for the man, that was come to him.

5. Then David’s anger kindled greatly against that man: [Meaning the rich man] and he said unto Nathan; (as true as) the LORD liveth, that man that hath done that, is a child of death. [i.e. he is guilty of death, he hath deserved death: in regard of the circumstance of the merciless cruelty used toward that poor man. Compare with this phrase, Deut.25.on v.2. Gen.20.3. Eph.2.3. and above chap.3.on v.34.]

6. And he shall restore that ew-lamb four fold, [According to the Law of God, Exod.22, 1.] because he did this thing, and because he hath not spared.

7. Then said Nathan unto David; thou art that man: [i.e. thou art like that man, having commited so much the grosser, and more abominable fact; as it is a far greater crime to take any mans wedded wife from him, then to take from any man an only lamb: and yet besides to put the guiltless man to death] Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul:

8. And I gave thee thy Lords house, [i.e. Sauls house. Heb. the house of thy Lords, in the plural number, which in the Holy Scripture is wont to be used for the singular number. See Gen.39.on v.2. Some retain in the translation the plural number thus: of thy Lords; that is, of those that were greater and mightier then thou: and so in the following words; understanding that the match or marriage between David and Sauls wives (in respect of the assinity) was unlawfull. Some understand by Sauls wives, not his wedded wives, but other Ladies of honour] besides thy Lords wives [not that God approved of the plurality of wives, but tolerated or suffered it in the old Testament, without punishing the same] into thy besome [see Gen.16.5. Deut.13.on v.6. Others understand, into thy bosome, that is, into thy power: yet so, as that he might not abuse them against the Law of God. Compare 1 Sam, 24.11.] yea I gave thee the house of Israel and of Juda, [i.e. the Kingdom of all my people] and if it be little, I would do moreover such and such (things) for thee, [or if (this haf seemed too) little (for the), I would moreover have done such and such (things) for thee. Heb. as, or, according to those and according to these things. Intimating that God who had done him so much good, was able further to provide for him according to his own hearts desire, if any thing should be lacking unto him: So that he had no cause at all to provoke his so good and gracious God in such a manner as he had done; and to satisfy his wicked and sinful by such base and shameful means.]

9. Wherefore (then) hast thou despised the word of the LORD, [viz. the sixth, seventh and eighth commandement of the Law of the Lord] doing that which is evil in his eyes? Thou hast smitten Uria the Hethite with the Sword, [procuring him by Joabs means, to be slain by the Ammonites, as in the following words is declared. See above chap.11.14, 15, 16, 17.] and thou hast taken thee his wife to wife: and thou hast slain him with the Sword of the children of Ammon. [which were uncircumcised, and Enemies of God and his people.]

10. Now then the Sword shall not depart from thine house for ever; [i.e. in a long time, or all thy life time, as 1 Sam,1.on v.22. See also Deu.15.on v.17.] because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uria the Hethite (to be) thy wife.

11. Thus saith the LORD, behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine (own) house, [Meaning by David’s own sons, Ammon, Absalom and Adonia, as in the following chapters, and 1 Kings 1. is related . By their wickedness did God, in his just and unrebukable judgement, severely punish and chasten David for his sins. See on the following verse] and will take thy wives before to hear and believe it to thy grief and sorrow of heart, as if thou hadst beheld it with thine own eyes, aswell as all Israel. See below chap.16.22.] and will give them unto thy neighbour: [namely, Absolom] he shall lie with thy wives before the eyes of this Sun, [i.e. in broad day-light, evening while the Sun shineth. Thus often mention is made of these creatures, as if they had hearing, sight and understanding. See Deu.32.on v.1.]

12. For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing take David’s wives, and give them unto Absalom, etc. Is God then the Author of Absaloms abominable sins? God forbid. Yet he faith here expressly, that he will do this thing, etc. Did he then not pour this sin and wickedness into Absalom. But he so ruled and ordered Absaloms, Achitophels, and the divers wilfull wickedness, (which they had of themselves) by his holy providence, that they practised and used the same to David’s grief and sorrow, which so little favoureth the Devil, Absalom, and Achitophel (who sought to fulfil their own hatred and wicked lusts) as Gods counsel of delivering up to death his well beloved Son for our salvation, did or could favour Judas the traitor, the Jews and Pilate. The work of Absalom, &c is wicked and devilish, but the work of God is holy and good: for he intended to chasten his servant David by evil instruments for his own glory and David’s good, to discover Absaloms and Achitophels wickedness, and to punish the same to the glory of his own righteousness. The holy Scripture every where aboundeth with such examples of Gods over-ruling providence in and concerning evil. And this David knew and Acknowledged full well, and therefore did heartily humble himself before God. See Gen.45.on v.5.] before all Israel, and before the Sun.

13. Then said David unto Nathan; I have sinned against the LORD; [See the declaration of this confession in the 51. Psalm] And Nathan said unto David; the LORD hath also taken away [Heb. caused to pass over, pass thorow, pass by, i.e. forgiven, pardoned, remitted. So below chap.24.10. Job 7:21. Compare Mich. 7.18. and 1 Chron.21.8. Prov.19.11. Amos 7:8. Zach.3.4.] thy sin, thou shalt not die. [i.e. I will not punish thee with death for this sin, either temporally, or eternally, although thou hast well deserved it, according to thine own sentence, v.5. and my justice.]

14. Yet, because by this thing thou hast caused the Enemy of the LORD greatly to blasphem, [Heb. blaspheming hast caused to blasphem. First, the Ammonites, who having slain Uria and others of thy servants, have praised their Gods, after the manner of the heathen, and blasphemed the God of Israel, as void of power; and in the second place, generally all Enemies round about, who speak evil of God and his people, making much of such a King, who commited such soul acts upon his good subjects. Or thou hast given them occasion to speak blasphemously, when they shall hear of this, compare Rom.2.24. and elsewhere] also the child that is born unto thee, shall die the death. [Heb. dying die.]

15. Then Nathan went unto his house; and the LORD smote the child, which the wife of Uria [i.e. which had been Uria’s wife. Compare above chap.2.on v.2.] had born unto David, (so) that it was very sick.

16. And David sought God for the child: [That is to say in this place, he prayed servently unto God for the child’s health. See 2 Chron.20.3, 4. Psa.27.8. and 34.5. and 77.3. Isa, 26.26. and 31.1. Jer.50.4, etc.] and David fasted a fast, and went in, [i.e. into his inne5r chamber, or closet] and lay all night on the ground. [Heb. he over-nighted, and lay on the ground.]

17. Then the Eldest of his house [i.e. his chiefest Officers and Courtiers, who in the following verse are called his servants] gat them up to him, to make him rise up from the ground; but he would not, and did eat no bread [see above chap.3.on v.35. and elsewhere often] with them.

18. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died: and David’s servanrs feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said; behold, when the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, but he hearkened not to our voice, how shall we then say unto him, the child is dead? For it might hurt. [i.e. this might vex and grieve him yet more then formerly.]

19. But David saw that his servants whispered; so David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants; Is the child dead? and they said; it is dead.

20. Then David arose from the ground, and washed, and anointed himself, [See Ruth 3.on ver.3.] and changed his apparel, and went into the house of the LORD, [Meaning the Tent, which David had caused to be made for the Ark; see above chap.6.17.] and worshipped: after that he came into his house, and required (bread), and they set bread [as above ver 7. And in the following verse] before him, and he did eat.

21. Then said his servants unto him; What thing is this, that thou hast done? For the living child’s sake thou didst fast and weep; but after the child is dead, thou doest rise up and eatest bread.

22. And he said; When the child yet lived, I fasted and wept: for I said [viz. By my self; I thought] Who knoweth, the LORD might be gracious to me, that the child might remain alive.

23. But now it is dead, wherefore should I now fast? Shall I be able yet to fetch him again [viz, Into life] I shall indeed go to him, [viz. to the child, to the body into the grave, to the soul into heaven] but he shall not return [into this life] to me.

24. After that David comforted his wife bathseba, and went in unto her, and lay with her: And she bare a son whose name he called Salomon, [Heb. Schelomoh. This name David gave him according to Gods command. See 1 Chron.22.9.] and the LORD loved him.

25. And sent forth, [viz. The LORD. Oth. he (viz. David) sent (him) under the hand of Nathan the Prophet, (i.e. to be taught and directed by Nathan in the fear of the Lord) who called his name Jedidjah] by the hand [i.e. by the Ministery] of Nathan the Prophet, and called his name Jedid Jah, [i.e. beloved of the Lord. Heb. Idjide-Jah] for the LORDS sake. [i.e. because the Lord loved him, as is said ver.26. and because he should be a type and figure of the Lord Christ, who is the well beloved Son of God, the builder of his Church, and the right King of peace. See above chap 7.13, &c. 2 Chron.22.9, 10. Psa.45. Canticles, Math.3.17. Luke 1 32, 33. Heb.3.6. Isa.9.5, etc.]

26. Now Joab warred against Rabba of the children of Ammon: [Here is now prosecuted the History, which was begun above chap.11.] and he took the Royal City. [Heb. the City of the Kingdom. Whereby may be understood that part of the City, where the Kings Court was, which perhaps lay by the water side, or was compassed about with waters. See the following verse.]

27. Then Joab sent messengers to David, and said; [i.e. Sent him word] I have warred aginst Rabba, I have also taken the Water-city. [See on the former verse.]

28. Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and besiege the City, and take it; lest if I should take the City, my name be called out upon it. [or, named upon it: i.e. that thou mayest have the honour, and not I, who should have the honour, is they should say, Joab hath taken Rabba.]

29. Then David gathered all that people [i.e. The rest of the people, as was said in the former verse] together, and marched to Rabba: and he warred against it, and took it.

30. And he took their Kings Crown from off his head, the weight [Oth. price, value, worth,] whereof was a talent of gold, [See Exod.25.on ver.39. a civil talent amounted to threescore and two pound and an half, the pound consisting of twelve ounces, which maketh six and fourty pounds (each pound consisting of sixteen ounces, haver de pois) and fourteen ounces] with precious stones, and it was (set) upon David’s head: he carried also a very great booty out of the City.

31. Now he brought forth the people, [Meaning as many of them as were needful to be exposed to exemplary punishment. Below chap.17.27. mention is made of one Sobi, whom some conceive to have been the King of also crowned King by David in Hanun his brothers stead] and he put them under saws, and under iron harrows, and under iron axes, [i.e. he called them to be sawed a sunder, to be brused in pieces (like corn) with iron-harrows, or threshing-catts tackt together, and to be cut in twain with axes, or hatchets] and made them pass thorow the brick-klin: [i.e. to be burnt in brick-klins, or brick-ovens. Oth. thorough the furnace of Malchen, (that is, of Molech) unto which Idol they were wont to offer up their children, causing them to pass thorough the fire. See 2 King.16.3. & 23.10. Item, Levit.18.21. & 20.2, &c. David inflicted these hard and grievous punishments usual and common (as it is conceived in those Eastern Countrys) upon the Ammonites, because they had so basely misconstrued his friendly intent and act, and so disgracefully entreated his Ambassadors against the Law of Nations. See above chapter 10.2, 3, 4. And moreover were abominable Idolaters, Blasphemers, and enemies of God and his people, who without all question had tyrannically inflicted such kinds of deaths upon the people of God. Compare above chap.8 on ver.2. Amos 1:3. & Heb.11.37. and see of the tacked iron harrows, or threshing-carts, Deut.25.on ver.4.]