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2 Samuel 12: Nathan Tells David the Truth

God sends Nathan to David with a story about a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb. David is angry, and Nathan says, You are the man! David confesses that he has sinned against the Lord, and Nathan says the Lord has put away his sin. Trouble still follows: the baby dies. Later Solomon is born, and the Lord loves him.

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Read 2 Samuel 12

World English Bible · 31 verses

  1. 1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city: the one rich, and the other poor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 A traveler came to the rich man, and he didn’t want to take of his own flock and of his own herd to prepare for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 David’s anger burned hot against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to die!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 He must restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 Why have you despised Yahweh’s word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken Uriah the Hittite’s wife to be your wife.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 “This is what Yahweh says: ‘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 will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 For you did this secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you will surely die.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 Then Nathan departed to his house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he was very sick.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in and lay all night on the ground.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, and he didn’t eat bread with them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 On the seventh day, the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself if we tell him that the child is dead?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into Yahweh’s house, and worshiped. Then he came to his own house; and when he requested, they set bread before him and he ate.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  22. 22 He said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  23. 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  24. 24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  25. 25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh’s sake.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  26. 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  27. 27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  28. 28 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 by my name.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  29. 29 David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, and fought against it and took it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  30. 30 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. He brought a great quantity of plunder out of the city.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  31. 31 He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them go to the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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2 Samuel 12 · Preschool

David Says Sorry

Name Date

Color the little lamb! Nathan told David a story about a lamb.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible 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)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: David told God, I have sinned. God forgave him. When we do wrong, we can tell God and ask Him to forgive us.

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.

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