Nathan (Prophet)

Biblical Record

Scripture does not record Nathan's origins, family, or death. He appears in the court of David as a prophet who delivers the word of God.

• The temple and the dynastic promise (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17): When David expresses his desire to build a house for God, Nathan at first tells him to do all that is in his heart. That night, however, Nathan receives the word of the LORD and returns with a different message: David's son will build the temple, and God will establish David's house and kingdom forever. This promise is commonly called the Davidic covenant.
• Confronting David's sin (2 Samuel 12): After David lies with Bathsheba and has her husband Uriah killed, Nathan goes to David. He tells the story of a rich man with many flocks who took the one ewe lamb of a poor man. When David burns with anger, Nathan says, "Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7). David confesses his sin, and Nathan declares that David will not die but that the child to be born will die. Later, Nathan conveys to Solomon the name Jedidiah, meaning "beloved of the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:25).
• Solomon's accession (1 Kings 1): When David is old and Adonijah attempts to make himself king, Nathan goes with Bathsheba to David and reminds him of his promise to make Solomon his successor. Nathan then joins Zadok the priest in anointing Solomon at Gihon (1 Kings 1:45).
• Other references: Chronicles states that the acts of David and Solomon were recorded in "the book of Nathan the prophet" (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29). It also records that Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the temple according to the commandment of David, Gad, and Nathan (2 Chronicles 29:25). The superscription of Psalm 51 states that the psalm was composed after Nathan came to David.

Significance Within Scripture

Nathan exemplifies the prophet who declares God's will and rebukes wrongdoing, even when addressing a king. The prophet Nathan is not named directly in the New Testament. However, one of the words he delivered, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son" (2 Samuel 7:14), is quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and applied to Christ.

Interpretation and Issues

• Distinguishing other Nathans: One of David's sons was also named Nathan (2 Samuel 5:14). The Nathan in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:31 is understood to be this son of David and is regarded as a different person from the prophet. Whether Azariah and Zabud, described as "son of Nathan" in 1 Kings 4:5, were sons of the prophet cannot be determined with certainty from the text alone.
• The reversal of his initial answer: Nathan's initial approval of the temple project and his subsequent correction are commonly interpreted as showing the need to distinguish a prophet's personal judgment from the word received from God.
• Messianic interpretation: Protestants broadly read the Davidic covenant as a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Some scholars, however, find the passage's primary meaning in the Davidic dynasty and in Solomon.
• The succession process: Interpreters differ on Nathan's role in 1 Kings 1—whether it should be seen solely as the fulfillment of God's promise or also as political maneuvering within the court.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching, Nathan is presented chiefly through the parable of 2 Samuel 12 and the words "Thou art the man." The passage is frequently used in sermons on recognizing sin and repentance, and on the courage to speak the truth even to those in power. A person who points out a leader's wrongdoing is also sometimes likened to "the prophet Nathan." In Sunday school, the parable is usually taught as part of the story of David.