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Pentecost Season · Proper 13 · Year B

2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a

Nathan Confronts David

August 1, 2027

The Prophet Nathan Rebukes King David, Eugene Siberdt
The Prophet Nathan Rebukes King David, Eugene Siberdt, late 19th centuryPrivate collection
A Belgian academic painting of the confrontation, the prophet standing and pointing and the king slumped on his throne.You are the man. The reading is the shortest and most devastating sentence a prophet ever says to a king.Eugene SiberdtA Belgian academic painter and teacher at the Antwerp academy, who famously clashed with his student Van Gogh.Private collectionIn private hands, which is why it is seen in reproduction far more often than in the flesh.Private collection
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 6:24-35Jn 6:24-35
EpistleEph. 4:1-16Eph 4:1-16
Old Testament2 Sam. 11:26 - 12:13a2 Sm 11:26 - 12:13aAlt. OTExod. 16:2-4, 9-15Ex 16:2-4, 9-15
PsalterPs. 51:1-12Ps 51:1-12Alt. PsalmPs. 78:23-29Ps 78:23-29

Overview & Insights

"You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7)

After Bathsheba mourns Uriah and becomes David's wife, the prophet Nathan tells the parable of the poor man's lamb and exposes David's sin. David confesses, and Nathan announces that the LORD has put away his sin.

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Take it further: 2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a

Commentary

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a2 Sm 11:26-12:13a Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary commentary on Nathan's parable and the confrontation that draws David's confession.

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a2 Sm 11:26-12:13a Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed commentary on how the prophet's story traps David into judging himself.

2 Samuel 122 Sm 12 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on Nathan's rebuke, David's confession, and its consequences.

2 Samuel 12 Commentary2 Sm 12 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep study page gathering word studies, cross-references, and many expositors on the chapter.

Classic commentaries on 2 Samuel 12Classic commentaries on 2 Sm 12 BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking historic verse-by-verse commentary on the confrontation.

Background & Word Study

II Samuel 12 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English translation and linked Jewish commentary for word-level study.

2 Samuel 12:1 interlinear2 Sm 12:1 interlinear BibleHub

A word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with parsing and Strong's numbers for close study of the text.

The Church Fathers

2 Samuel 12, patristic commentary2 Sm 12, patristic commentary Catena

A verse-linked catena of early church interpretation of 2 Samuel 12.

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