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Like Samuel before him, Nathan also served as a prophet to the leaders. God used Nathan to correct his erring leader.
Nathan knew that David had slept with another man's wife and had then caused that man's death. Although the king already had several wives, he insisted on having yet another. Nathan saw a greedy and selfish heart in the king of Israel. Only a few people in the time of David's reign had the influence and/or the courage to confront him with his sin. When Nathan realized what David had done, he told him a story at his audience with the king. Nathan handled the problem with great wisdom and in a very caring way.
Nathan's judgment.
Nathan was able to act as he did because of his sound judgment. He had a God-given discernment. He knew what had happened and what was going on behind the scenes of David's wicked behavior. Judgment goes deeper than knowledge. It resembles intuition. Sometimes judgment is a gift; other times it is the result of a great deal of experience. Judgment carries with it a deep perception of what is going on, externally or internally, in a person.
Where did Nathan get this sharp judgment?
- He had listened to God (2 Samuel 12:1).
The text says that God "sent" him to David. Clearly, God had spoken to his prophet.
- He knew David's circumstances (2 Samuel 12:1-6).
Nathan had observed David for many years and therefore recognized the monstrous changes when they came.
- He was objective in his outlook (2 Samuel 12:7-8).
Nathan was able to speak for God and convey God's view of the king's situation.
- He understood the root problem (2 Samuel 12:9-12).
Nathan saw more than just the symptoms; he saw the underlying problems and their consequences.
- He saw the cause and the effect (2 Samuel 12:14).
Nathan was passionately concerned about God's name and reputation. He hated the thought that the pagan nations surrounding Israel might mock the LORD if they learned of David's sin.
What can leaders do to grow in their judgment?
- Learn to hear the voice of God.
Grow still and read Scripture. Reflect on the thoughts of God.
- Develop the ability to solve problems.
If they can recognize problems, they can also solve them.
- Analyze their successes.
What worked? Can they identify the heart of the matter?
- Evaluate their options.
Judgment combines gut feeling with common sense.
- Broaden their possibilities.
Gain more experience in order to deepen their wisdom.
- Explore what others think.
Choose a few leaders whom they admire and study their way of thinking.
- Pay attention to their gut feeling.
Most people are afraid to pay attention to the God-given intuition within them.
2 Samuel 12:1-15
Nathan's Rebuke, David's Repentance, and Solomon's Birth
1 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.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 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.
5 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:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 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.
9 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.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 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.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 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.
14 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.
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.