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2 Samuel 12 · Grade 4

Forgiven but Not Without Sorrow

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Read and Think

God did not leave David hiding his sin. He sent Nathan the prophet with a story. A rich man with many flocks refused to take one of his own animals for a traveler. Instead he took the only lamb of a poor man, a lamb the poor man loved like a daughter.

David burned with anger and said the man deserved to die. Nathan answered, You are the man! Speaking for God, Nathan reminded David of all God had given him and asked why he had despised the Lord's word. Because David had struck Uriah and taken his wife, the sword would never depart from his house.

David did not make excuses. He said, I have sinned against Yahweh. Nathan replied that the Lord had put away his sin. Yet the consequences remained. The child became very sick. David fasted and lay on the ground, hoping God would be gracious. After the child died, David worshiped. He said he would go to the child, but the child would not return to him. God then gave David and Bathsheba Solomon, and sent word through Nathan that the Lord loved him.

Show What You Know

  1. How did God help David stop hiding his sin?

  2. What would never depart from David's house?

  3. How did David respond to Nathan?

  4. What did David say after the child died?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

sinnedfastedNathanlambGod
  1. did not leave David hiding his sin.
  2. He sent the prophet with a story.
  3. Instead he took the only of a poor man, a lamb the poor man loved like a daughter.
  4. He said, I have against Yahweh.
  5. David and lay on the ground, hoping God would be gracious.

Think About It

  1. David confessed right away when he was confronted. Why is it hard to admit our sins, and why is it good?

  2. God forgave David, but some consequences remained. How can forgiveness and consequences both be true?

Memory Verse

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.

2 Samuel 12:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why did consequences remain even after David was forgiven?
  • How does David's confession show a heart that is turning back to God?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.