Nathan
“Given, or gift (by God)”
Summary
Nathan was a prominent prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon who delivered God's message about the Davidic covenant, confronted David concerning his sin with Bathsheba, and helped secure Solomon's succession to the throne.
☩The Davidic Covenant
Nathan first appears in Scripture during David's consultation about building a temple for the Lord. He initially encouraged David's plan, but that same night received a divine message and returned to tell the king that instead of David building a house for the Lord, the Lord would build a house for David. This prophecy established God's promise that David's seed and throne would be established forever, though his descendants would be chastened for iniquity.
☩Rebuke of David's Sin
Nathan's most memorable appearance came when he confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. His famous apologue of the rich man who took the poor man's only ewe lamb demonstrates prophetic power of the highest order. When David pronounced judgment on the rich man in the parable, Nathan declared 'Thou art the man,' bringing David's sin home to his conscience. Nathan's courage in confronting the king directly showed his fearless commitment to God's word.
☩Solomon's Succession
In David's final years, Nathan played a decisive role in securing Solomon's succession to the throne. When Adonijah attempted to seize the kingdom, Nathan advised Bathsheba to remind David of his promise regarding Solomon, then ventured into the royal presence himself with a remonstrance against the king's apathy. At David's request, Nathan assisted in Solomon's inauguration and anointed him king. His sons Zabud and Azariah both occupied high positions in Solomon's court.
☩Historical Writings
Nathan assisted David in reorganizing public worship and the service of the Levites in the Temple. He left behind written accounts of both David's and Solomon's reigns, which were among the sources used by later biblical historians. The peculiar title 'the prophet' given to Nathan, as distinguished from 'the seer' given to Samuel and Gad, shows his identification with the later view of the prophetic office.
Related Verses41 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Nathan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Nathan (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Nathan," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).