The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 283

EXPOSITION. fied in the deed of the rich man. On many CHAPTER XII. occasions David had shown a warm and Vor. 1.-Jehove.h sent Ne.than unto David. generous indignation o.t injustice, and a Though David had remained unrepentant righteous pity for those wronged. Would for nearly e. year, for we read in ver. 14 such a feeling be called out now? David's the.t the child was born, yet we are not to conduct was bad enough, and if there was suppose that there had been no compunc- no outburst of anger at the base deed re- tion.a of conscience. A man could scarcely ported to him, and no welling-up of pity pass from utter callousness to e. state of for the poor man robbed of his one joy, then mind so tender as that depicted in Ps. li. was his case hopeless, and Nathan most without some preparation. Assuredly David withdraw in despair, and leave David to his had suffered much mental distress, but he fate. But his better feelings were not de- had given no outward sign of contrition, and stroyed, and when Nathan saw them deeply possibly, but for N athe.n's message, he might stirred, be broke in with the stem applica- have overpowered his couscience, e.nd his tion to the king's own sin, "Thon art the selt-reproacheli have become less frequent man I " The courage and the skill of the and agitating. More probably he was slow Iy prophet a.re alike admirable. ripening for repentance, and N e.the.n'e words Ver. 3.-Was unto him as a daughter. let loose the agonizing feelings which had The Orientals are excessively fond of pet more and more struggled within him age.inst animals, and, as the dog is with them un- hie be.ser lusts. And the prophet's e.pologue clean, its place is taken by fawns, kids, or was exactly suited to rouse up that strong le.m bs. The description, therefore, is not sf)nse of justice .whioh was so noble an overcharged, for in many e.n English home element in David's cha.racter. Doubtless it the dog or cat takes its place as one of the ;was framed for this purpose, and Ne.than family. The Revised Version preserves the knew what was the right chord to touch. tenderness of the original in translating "it But we must not, because be we.s wise and did eat of his own mor~el." ·skilful, re ruse Nathan our fullest admiration Ver. 4.-A traveller, . . . wayfaring for bis mo.nly courage. It is a very dangerous man, . . . man that was oome to him. thing to· tell princes of their sins, and Nathan probably used these three terms especially when that prince is an absolute chiefly to diversify his language, but it has mono.rob, and his sins e.dult'ery and murder. served as a handle for much allegorizing. Bnt the position which Nathan held in Thus Re.shi explains it of covetousness, David's court made it his duty so to do, and which comes at first e.s a mere" po.sser-by,'' there is no stronger testimony to the power the literal meaning of the word rendered of religion and of God's grace than tbl\t it •• traveller." But, if admitted, it grows into makes men so brave in doing their duty. "a wayfarin" man," who comes and goes on Wo me.y feel sure that Ne.than had long business, and stays e. longer time. Finally grieved over David's fall, and refl.eoted upon it changes into "one who has come to him," lhe steps whicli ought to be taken· for and remains permanently. Such alle~orice.1 his· admonition. And now, in answer to interpretationa are common in the Fathers, ·prayer, the oomme.nd co.me from Jehovoh and thus Augustine compares the three bidding him go and bear his testimony, Na- stages of sin to our Lord's three miracles th1m's pe.re.ble is admirably e.de.ptad for its of raising the dead. The sinner is at first purpose. While making no direot referenoe like Ja.irus's daughter, just dead, and repent- to ndultery or murder, it puts very strongly o.nce can restore him immediately to life; the injustioe and heartlessness of the oppres- but, if sin be persisted in, he becomes like sion of the weak by the strong, ns exempli- the son of the widow of Na.in, carried away  288 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xn. l-31.