“And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.”
Because David lay now drowned in sin, the loving mercy of God, which suffereth not his to perish, waketh his conscience by this similitude, and bringeth him to repentance.
“And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.”
Or, spared. Or, wayfaring man.
“And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: shall: or, is worthy to die, or, is a son of death”
Hebrew, is the child of death . Hebrew, the anger of David was kindled .
“And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
Cross references: : Exod. 22:1
“And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.”
For David succeeded Saul in his kingdom. The Jews understand this of Eglah and Michal, or of Rizpah and Michal. That is, greater things than these: for God’s love and benefits increase toward his, if by their ingratitude they stay him not.
“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.”
Thou hast most cruelly given him into the hands of God’s enemies.
“Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.”
Meaning, openly, as at noon-days. Deut. 28:30 ; 2 Sam. 16:22
“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
For the Lord seeketh but that the sinner would turn to him.
“Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
In saying, that the Lord hath appointed a wicked man to reign over his people.
“And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.”
Thinking by his instant prayer that God would have restored his child, but God hath otherwise determined.
“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? vex: Heb. do hurt”
Hebrew, and he will do himself evil .
“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.”
Showing that our lamentations ought not to be excessive, but moderate: and that we must praise God in all his doings.
“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.”
As they which considered not that God granteth many things to the sobs and tears of the faithful.
“But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
By this consideration he appeased his sorrow.
“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.”
To wit, the Lord, 1 Chron. 22:9 . Matt. 1:6
“And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. Jedidiah: that is, Beloved of the LORD”
1 Chron. 22:9 Hebrew, by the hand of. To call him Solomon. Meaning, David.
“And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.”
That is, the chief city and where all the conduits are, is as good as taken.
“Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. it be called: Heb. my name be called upon it”
Hebrew, my name be called upon it .
“And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. in great: Heb. very great”
That is: threescore pounds after the weight of the common talent. 1 Chron. 20:2
“And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.”
Signifying that as they were malicious enemies of God, so he put them to cruel death.