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Nathan’s Rebuke
2 Samuel 12:1-15
Many are familiar with David’s sin involving Bathsheba, resulting in adultery and murder. Though these were dark pages in David’s record, they were preserved that lessons might be learned by those who followed after - 1 Co 10:11-12 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” There are lessons to be learned, not only from David’s mistakes, but from the rebuke that Nathan gave to David because of his sin. Found in 2 Sam 12:1-15, Nathan’s rebuke will serve as the basis for our study. 
Among the lessons that might be gleaned from “Nathan’s Rebuke” is this one we are often blind to in our own faults. In the case of David he could easily see the sin in the man of Nathan’s story - 2 Sam 12:5-6 “Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."’ But he could not see it in himself; it took a direct accusation (“You are the man!”) by Nathan - 2 Sam 12:7 “Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.”
In our case the same is often true. We can easily see the “mote” in another person’s eye, but not the “beam” in our own. There are several reasons why this may be so. We may let strong desires confuse the plain distinction between right and wrong. As an example, many have softened their views on divorce and remarriage when it hits their family, therefore changing our convictions on a position when it hits close to home. We may habitually flirt with evil, diminishing our sense of it as evil. An example here would accepting the world’s definition of immodesty in regards to apparel, therefore the standards of the world soon become our standards. We may refuse to apply principles of scripture to the moral nature of our personal conduct. For example, whether or not certain habits are consistent with the Christian life, therefore behaving in a way more becoming a person of the world, than one who is a child of God!
Because we are often blind to our own faults we need to be thankful for friends like Nathan. We need to be thankful for friends caring enough to bring our faults to our attention. For those friends courageous enough to challenge our conduct. We need to be like David. Open to the constructive criticism of others. Not so blind as to fail to see our faults when pointed out by others.
Another valuable lesson from “Nathan’s Rebuke” is that we learn the best way to bring about repentance by appealing to God’s love. Nathan reminded David of God’s great kindness - 2 Sam 12:7b-8 “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.” This type of appeal is based upon God’s love and mercy as found in the preaching of the gospel. Paul made it in Ro 2:4 “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Likewise Peter in Ac 10:34-36 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),”, 42-43 “And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."’ -- In our own efforts to save or restore others, let’s be sure to make the same appeal to God’s love!
Nathan was very clear in telling David what he did was wrong - 2 Sam 12:9 “Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.” In a similar way, the gospel makes it clear that all are sinners - Ro 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” -- Since people will not repent unless they realize they are sinners, it is necessary to help them see their sins (with the right attitude, of course).
Nathan spelled out what would happen because of David’s sin - 2 Sam 12:10-12 “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.'" The gospel, while it contains “good news”, is no different - Mk 16:15-16; Ro 2:5-11. -- As we seek to call others to repentance, we must in love and great solemnity point out the consequences of sin! As we continue our examination of “Nathan’s Rebuke”, we now see the proper attitude in repentance in that David provides a proper example. He made it personal - “_I_ have sinned...” - 2 Sam 12:13. He didn’t try to place the blame on Bathsheba or the circumstances. He didn’t try to spread the guilt to others (for example, Joab’s involvement in the death of Uriah) -- He accepted the full responsibility of his own sin! He saw the true nature of his guilt: it was “...against the _LORD_” - 2 Sam 12:13. It is true that he also sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, his own wife, etc. But true penitence comes from an understanding that sin is more than just a violation of human relationships. It is an affront against the GOD who created us in His image! Notice, then, what David wrote in Psa 51:3-4 as he confesses his sin... “Against You, You only, have I sinned...” With poetic hyperbole, he confesses his sin against God as well! “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”
Much repentance today falls short in this regard. We often don’t make our sins personal enough. We may be quick to admit “We have sinned”. But will we also be quick to admit “I have sinned”? We often don’t think of how our sins are against the Lord. Unless we do, our repentance is likely to be shallow. For instance, our conduct will change just enough to satisfy the approval of man. For example, someone who needs to repent for forsaking the assembly... We often say they have “sinned against the church”; while true, they need to appreciate that in fact they have “sinned against the Lord”! If they view themselves as only having sinned against the church they may only be concerned about being faithful in the eyes of the church thus correcting only their conduct as the church sees them. But if they view themselves as having sinned against the Lord they will be concerned with being faithful in His eyes thus correcting any conduct visible only to the Lord!
Our next observation may be the most encouraging one gleaned from “Nathan’s Rebuke” by the pardon provided by God. In the example of David’s forgiveness his forgiveness was immediate - 2 Sam 12:13 “David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” That is, when the proper conditions were met, in his case, the confession of his sin, his forgiveness was complete – see again 2 Sam 12:13b. Nathan said “The LORD also has put away your sin”. The phrase “put away” is similar to other terms suggesting a complete forgiveness of sin: “covered”, blotted out”, “remembered no more”.
God’s pardon is similar today. It is both immediate and complete. But there are conditions that must be met. For the non-Christian - Jn 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."’; Ac 2:38 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”; 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'” For the Christian - 1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”; Ac 8:22 “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” Such a wonderful pardon is made possible only through the blood of Christ! - Ep 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”
Our final observation may be the most sobering one to contemplate... Consequences of sin often follow despite the pardon. David learned this from Nathan. Though he was forgiven of his sin, there would still be consequences of his sin. Nathan listed them in 2 Sam 12:10-12,14 “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.'" – “Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die."’; all of which came to pass: The baby died
David’s daughter (Tamar) raped by her half-brother (Amnon)
One son (Amnon) killed by another (Absalom)
One son (Absalom) leads a conspiracy, takes over the kingdom, lays with his father’s concubines, and is finally killed
The same is often true today. An alcoholic may quit drinking and be forgiven, but still suffer the physical consequences of alcoholism. A parent may obey the gospel, but do so too late to have a positive affect on the spiritual development of the children. A young person may “sow their wild oats” before settling down and becoming a Christian.... While forgiven, they may still have to “reap what they have sown”, the rest of their lives being adversely affected by such things as:
1) An unexpected pregnancy (an early or unwanted marriage)
2) An unscriptural divorce (not free to remarry)
3) A moment of passion (suffering with incurable STDs)
4) Experimenting with drugs (irreversible brain damage)
God’s pardon is wonderful, but we must not forget the consequences of sin!
Such are some of the lessons we learn from “Nathan’s Rebuke”.... We are often blind to our own faults. The best way to bring about repentance is with the proper attitude in repentance. The pardon provided by God may still have consequences of sin often follow despite the pardon. As with much of the events recorded in the Scriptures there are lessons to help us in our own relationship with God. There are lessons to help us be of service to others regarding their relationship with God. May we be wise enough to heed the counsel of “Nathan’s Rebuke”!
A last look at rebuke can be found in Rev 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
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