Author: Kevin

Nathan: God’s Messenger to David
2nd Samuel 7; 2nd Samuel 12

In my last devotional I mentioned the prophet Nathan’s role in the story of David and Solomon. The name “Nathan” actually means “gift” in the original language of the Old Testament (Hebrew). Nathan was just that in David’s life—he was one of God’s gifts to David.

I think all of us should pray for a “Nathan” in our life—a true friend who can help us in our spiritual journey. Let’s look at Nathan’s role in the life of David:

Nathan was a voice of guidance:

2nd Samuel 7
8″Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: . . . 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name . . .

David had set in his heart to build a temple for God. While David had the best of intentions, it simply was not God’s plan. Nathan explained that God had something else in mind. David wisely and graciously accepted this word from God.

I believe that God usually speaks to a Christian directly through His word. We should never completely depend on another human being for direction. A godly friend or advisor, however, can be a great help in discerning God’s will. This kind of person can help shed new light on a decision and may help you to better understand the character of God.

Nathan was a voice of blessing and encouragement:

2nd Samuel 7
8″Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: . . . 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ “

What an incredible promise from the Lord! What an honor it was for Nathan to be the chosen messenger for this promise! Not only did Nathan guide, he blessed and encouraged. Think of how David must have felt after hearing this promise from the Lord.

The word “encourage” means “to inspire courage.” All of us desperately need this—some of us get far too little of it, some of us do far too little of it. The Bible is full of blessings and promises for God’s people. A godly friend will speak these to us and remind us of them.

Proverbs 16:24 says “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Even simple, short messages of encouragement from a friend can inspire us.

Nathan was a voice of rebuke:

2nd Samuel 12
“1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said . . . 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? . . . 13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

Not everything Nathan had to say was pleasant. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband—God was greatly displeased. Nathan communicated this to David in an incredibly clever way (read 2nd Samuel 12 to see Nathan’s parable). David’s eyes were opened to his own wickedness.

Just like David, all of us have “blind spots”—negative parts of our life or character that we cannot see. We need others to point out these “blind spots,” and a true friend will do this. A true friend will love us enough to tell us the truth, even at the risk of hurting our feelings. Proverbs 27:6 says “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” I believe that a loving rebuke is one of the highest forms of love that one person can express to another.

Nathan was a voice of grace and forgiveness:

2nd Samuel 12
24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; 25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.
“Jedidiah” means “loved by the Lord.” David had sinned and would suffer the consequences, but God had forgiven him. God even chose Bathsheba’s son to be the next king of Israel. God used Nathan to send a message of forgiveness.

A true friend can help us to experience God’s forgiveness and restoration. Such a friend may tell you of his/her own failures so you will know you are not alone in your struggles. More importantly, a friend will remind us of God’s promises of forgiveness found in Scripture.

Do you have a friend like this?

I hope all of you have at least one “Nathan” in your life—a good, godly friend who inspires you to be more like Christ. One who is positive and encouraging, but painfully honest. If you do not have a friend like this, ask God to help you find one. You may need to take steps such as getting involved in church or Bible study (that’s where a “Nathan” is more likely to hang out). Such friends have been some of the greatest blessings in my Christian walk.

Here is a summary of the sermon I preached a couple of weeks ago on the life of Solomon (Scripture quotes are from the New Living Translation of the Bible):

1. God can use us, regardless of our background

2nd Samuel 12:24 Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child 25 and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means “beloved of the Lord”), as the Lord had commanded.

God made an inexplicable choice when he decided Solomon should be the next king. Solomon was David’s child with Bathsheba, a woman David never should have been involved with in the first place. Of all David’s family, why Solomon? Only God knows the answer. Regardless, it is clear that God does not need a perfect match or a perfect background to make a person of greatness.

I find it fascinating that God used Nathan to send word of His love for Solomon. Nathan was the same prophet who rebuked David for his adultery and murder. Solomon’s birth is a vivid picture of God’s grace. God can take something that is ugly and worthless and turn it into something beautiful. He did this with David and Bathsheba, and He can do the same with our lives.

2. Prayer can change your life

2nd Chronicles 1:10 Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?

One prayer changed Solomon’s life. Have you ever considered this? Early in his life, Solomon had an incredible experience—a direct conversation with God. God offered Solomon anything, and Solomon asked for something of great value—He made a life-changing request of God. God has never given me the same offer, but the above principle still applies to my life and to yours.

Do we really believe that one prayer could change our entire life? Maybe we’d put a lot more thoughts into our prayer life if we did. What do we really ask of God? Do we lift up God-sized and God-centered prayers to Him? Do we trust Him to answer mightily?

3. God is honored by excellence
2nd Chronicles 2:5 This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods.

David and Solomon were given specific instructions on the temple’s construction. Solomon built the temple to God’s exact specifications. Both God and His people were honored by this beautiful place of worship.

Note that I said “excellence,” not grandiosity. The temple itself was actually a fairly modest size compared to some of the pagan temples/monuments of the ancient world. I find it fascinating that God forbade an elevated altar (Exodus 20:26). I believe this was done in part to keep the focus on the God of the temple instead of the instruments of worship.* God does not require that we do everything big, but He does require that we do everything excellently. Small, inconspicuous tasks are just as deserving of excellence—especially when such tasks are done in God’s service. Let us seek to be excellent in all we do to the glory of God.

4. True Wisdom glorifies God
1st Kings 4:29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. . . .32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
1st Kings 10:24 People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him

True wisdom comes from God and glorifies Him. If you will ask God for wisdom, the Bible promises that He will give it (James 1:5). Let me give you a simple definition of wisdom: wisdom is the ability to made good life decisions.

Making good, wise decisions glorifies God. The reverse is also true—ignoring God’s word and making foolish decisions dishonors God. People will notice if you are wise in dealing with your relationships and your life as a whole. If they see God’s wisdom in your life, they will come to you for guidance and advice. This can be a wonderful opportunity to glorify God and lead others to Him!

5. It takes great integrity to handle success/prosperity
2nd Chronicles 9:22 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.
1st Kings 11:7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites.
Solomon’s kingdom was marked by unprecedented peace, wealth, and splendor. He was the wisest man who ever lived, yet he did not handle his prosperity well. His resources, in fact, eventually went into the construction of pagan temples. Israel itself would soon follow in his footsteps of forgetting God. The greater our prosperity or success, the more likely we are to forget our need for God (you won’t hear this from those who preach the “health/wealth/prosperity gospel”). Let us never forget this inherit danger that comes with material and other blessings. Don’t just pray for success—pray for the character to handle success as well.

6. Bad company corrupts good character
1st Kings 11:4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

Solomon was not immune from the influence of those he chose to spend his time with. Being supremely wise and God’s anointed did not protect him from this. We will become like those we chose to be close to—there is no escaping this reality. Let us chose wisely those who will be our friends and influencers.

*Many of God’s instructions about worship were also designed to distinguish it from pagan rituals. I wonder if there is another principle at work in the Exodus command: If we “elevate” a person, we will eventually see a side of him that is not too flattering. I understand that this may be “stretching it” a bit, but it seems that God was making a point other than concern for the priests’ modesty.