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Nathan נָתָן

Male H5416H 5 books

Prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon.

Biography

Nathan was a prominent prophet in Israel during the reigns of King David and his son Solomon. He first appears in the biblical narrative when David expresses his desire to build a temple for the Lord (2Sa.7.2-3; 1Ch.17.1-2). Initially, Nathan encourages David to proceed, but later receives a message from God directing David not to build the temple, a task that would fall to his son Solomon (2Sa.7.4-17; 1Ch.17.3-15).

One of Nathan's most significant roles was confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. Nathan told David a parable about a rich man who took a poor man's beloved lamb, prompting David to condemn the rich man's actions (2Sa.12.1-6). Nathan then boldly declared, "You are the man!" (2Sa.12.7), revealing that the parable was an allegory for David's own sin. David repented, and Nathan conveyed God's forgiveness but also pronounced the consequences of David's actions (2Sa.12.13-15).

Nathan played a crucial role in ensuring Solomon's accession to the throne. When David's son Adonijah attempted to seize the throne, Nathan and Bathsheba worked together to inform David and secure his decision to appoint Solomon as his successor (1 Kings 1).

During Solomon's reign, Nathan's sons held important positions in the royal court. One son, Azariah, was put in charge of the district officers (1Ki.4.5), while another, Zabud, was a priest and the king's friend (1Ki.4.5).

Nathan's prophetic ministry and influence extended beyond his lifetime. His writings were included in the records of the acts of David (1Ch.29.29) and Solomon (2Ch.9.29). The Psalms also mention Nathan, specifically in the title of Psalm 51, which is associated with David's repentance following his confrontation with Nathan.

As a prophet, Nathan served as a messenger of God, offering guidance, correction, and support to the kings of Israel. His legacy as a fearless and faithful servant of God is remembered throughout the biblical narrative.

Family

Offspring

In Scripture

5 biblical books ; 1 with study content
2 Samuel 5 verses
  • 2 Samuel 7:2

    "the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”"

  • 2 Samuel 7:3

    "Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you.”"

  • 2 Samuel 7:4

    "That same night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan, saying,"

  • 2 Samuel 7:17

    "Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision."

  • 2 Samuel 12:1

    "Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor."

1 Kings 5 verses
  • 1 Kings 1:8

    "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah."

  • 1 Kings 1:10

    "but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother."

  • 1 Kings 1:11

    "Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?"

  • 1 Kings 1:22

    "Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in."

  • 1 Kings 1:23

    "They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground."

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 17:1

    "When David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of Yahweh’s covenant is in a tent.”"

  • 1 Chronicles 17:2

    "Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you.”"

  • 1 Chronicles 17:3

    "That same night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying,"

  • 1 Chronicles 17:15

    "According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David."

  • 1 Chronicles 29:29

    "Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,"

2 Chronicles 2 verses
  • 2 Chronicles 9:29

    "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?"

  • 2 Chronicles 29:25

    "He set the Levites in Yahweh’s house with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was from Yahweh by his prophets."

Psalms 1 verse Study available
  • Psalms 51:1

    "Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions."

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Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew נָתָן H5416H