2 Samuel 12:12
You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'"
You have acted in secret
This phrase highlights the clandestine nature of David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. The Hebrew root for "secret" is "סָתַר" (sathar), which means to hide or conceal. This reflects the human tendency to hide sin, thinking it can be kept from God and others. Historically, secret sins were often thought to be hidden from divine judgment, but this passage reminds us that God sees all. Theologically, it underscores the omniscience of God, who knows the depths of our hearts and actions, even those we attempt to conceal.

but I will do this thing
Here, God, through the prophet Nathan, declares His intention to bring judgment upon David. The phrase "I will do" in Hebrew is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to accomplish or execute. This indicates God's active role in bringing about justice. It serves as a reminder that God is not passive in the face of sin but is a righteous judge who will act according to His divine will. This reflects the biblical principle that God will not be mocked, and what a man sows, he will also reap (Galatians 6:7).

in broad daylight
The phrase "broad daylight" translates from the Hebrew "נֶגֶד הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ" (neged hashemesh), meaning openly or publicly. This contrasts with the secrecy of David's sin, emphasizing that God's judgment will be visible and undeniable. In the ancient Near Eastern context, public exposure was a severe form of shame and punishment. This serves as a sobering reminder that hidden sins can lead to public consequences, and God's justice will ultimately be revealed for all to see.

before all Israel
This phrase underscores the communal aspect of David's sin and its repercussions. "All Israel" refers to the entire nation, highlighting that David's actions, though personal, had national implications. In the Hebrew context, leaders were seen as representatives of their people, and their actions could bring blessings or curses upon the nation. This serves as a warning to leaders about the far-reaching impact of their actions and the importance of integrity and accountability before God and the community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel who committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband, Uriah.

2. Nathan
The prophet sent by God to confront David about his sin.

3. Bathsheba
The woman with whom David committed adultery.

4. Uriah the Hittite
Bathsheba's husband, whom David had killed to cover up his sin.

5. Israel
The nation over which David ruled, and before whom his sin would be exposed.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin, even when committed in secret, often leads to public consequences. David's actions, though hidden, were brought to light by God.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God is just and exposes sin, He also offers mercy and forgiveness to those who repent, as seen in David's life.

The Role of Accountability
Nathan's confrontation with David highlights the importance of having godly accountability in our lives to help us recognize and turn from sin.

Repentance and Restoration
True repentance involves acknowledging our sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and making amends where possible, leading to spiritual restoration.

Living Transparently
As believers, we are called to live lives of integrity and transparency, knowing that God sees all and desires truth in our innermost being.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of David and Nathan challenge us to examine the hidden areas of our own lives?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we have accountability in our spiritual walk, similar to Nathan's role in David's life?

3. How does David's response to Nathan's confrontation (as seen in Psalm 51) serve as a model for genuine repentance?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to live transparently before God and others, avoiding the pitfalls of secret sin?

5. How can the principles found in Galatians 6:7 and Proverbs 28:13 guide us in dealing with the consequences of our actions and seeking God's mercy?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 51
David's psalm of repentance, which provides insight into his heart after Nathan's confrontation.

Galatians 6:7
The principle of sowing and reaping, illustrating that hidden sins often have public consequences.

Luke 12:2-3
Jesus' teaching that nothing concealed will remain hidden, reinforcing the theme of exposure of sin.

Proverbs 28:13
The importance of confessing and renouncing sin to find mercy.

1 John 1:9
The promise of forgiveness and cleansing when we confess our sins.
Awakened and AwedH. E. Stone.2 Samuel 12:1-14
David's FallG. T. Coster.2 Samuel 12:1-14
David's Great Sin, and God's Greater GraceJ. Clifford.2 Samuel 12:1-14
David's Sin and Nathan's ParableC. S. Robinson, D. D.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Definite Teaching as to SinH. O. Mackey.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan as a True ProphetW. Smith, D. D.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan Reproving DavidE. Harper, B. A.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan Sent to DavidC. Merry.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan the Parabolist2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan's ParableJ. Parker, D,D.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Of Sell-ExaminationE. M. Goulburn, D. D.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Preaching to the ConscienceAlexander Smellie.2 Samuel 12:1-14
Reproof by PortraitSunday Companion2 Samuel 12:1-14
Reproving Without OffendingH. Brooke, M. A.2 Samuel 12:1-14
The Force of Private AdmonitionJ. Trapp.2 Samuel 12:1-14
The Parable of NathanR. Moss, D. D.2 Samuel 12:1-14
The Penalties of SinB. Dale 2 Samuel 12:10-12
People
Ammonites, Bathsheba, David, Jedidiah, Joab, Milcom, Nathan, Saul, Solomon, Uriah, Urijah
Places
Jerusalem, Rabbah
Topics
Broad, Daylight, Hast, Indeed, Secret, Secretly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 12:1-12

     1431   prophecy, OT methods
     5817   conspiracies

2 Samuel 12:1-13

     8479   self-examination, examples

2 Samuel 12:1-14

     6650   finding

2 Samuel 12:7-12

     5941   secrecy

2 Samuel 12:7-14

     7773   prophets, role

2 Samuel 12:9-13

     5040   murder

2 Samuel 12:11-12

     4921   day
     6242   adultery

2 Samuel 12:11-13

     6237   sexual sin, nature of

Library
David and Nathan
'And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin.'--2 SAMUEL xii. 13. We ought to be very thankful that Scripture never conceals the faults of its noblest men. High among the highest of them stands the poet- king. Whoever, for nearly three thousand years, has wished to express the emotions of trust in God, longing after purity, aspiration, and rapture of devotion, has found that his words have been before him. And this man
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Thou Art the Man
'And David said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die; because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.'--2 SAMUEL xii. 5-7. Nathan's apologue, so tenderly beautiful, takes the poet-king on the most susceptible side of his character. All his history shows him as a man of wonderfully sweet, chivalrous, generous, swiftly compassionate nature. And so, when he hears the story of a mean, heartless selfishness,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Letter vi. In My Last Two Letters I have Given the State of the Argument as It...
My dear friend, In my last two Letters I have given the state of the argument as it would stand between a Christian, thinking as I do, and a serious well-disposed Deist. I will now endeavour to state the argument, as between the former and the advocates for the popular belief,--such of them, I mean, as are competent to deliver a dispassionate judgment in the cause. And again, more particularly, I mean the learned and reflecting part of them, who are influenced to the retention of the prevailing
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Cleansing.
As there are conditions requiring to be complied with in order to the obtaining of salvation, before one can be justified, e. g., conviction of sin, repentance, faith; so there are conditions for full salvation, for being "filled with the Holy Ghost." Conviction of our need is one, conviction of the existence of the blessing is another; but these have been already dealt with. "Cleansing" is another; before one can be filled with the Holy Ghost, one's heart must be "cleansed." "Giving them the Holy
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

That the Ruler Should not Set his Heart on Pleasing Men, and yet Should Give Heed to what Ought to Please Them.
Meanwhile it is also necessary for the ruler to keep wary watch, lest the lust of pleasing men assail him; lest, when he studiously penetrates the things that are within, and providently supplies the things that are without, he seek to be beloved of those that are under him more than truth; lest, while, supported by his good deeds, he seems not to belong to the world, self-love estrange him from his Maker. For he is the Redeemer's enemy who through the good works which he does covets being loved
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service.
In our examination of the nature and meaning of the Lord's Supper, we have found that it is indeed a most important and holy Sacrament. It is in fact the most sacred of all the ordinances of the Church on earth. There is nothing beyond it--nothing so heavenly, on this side heaven, as this Feast. Nowhere else does the believer approach so near to heaven as when he stands or kneels, as a communicant at this altar, the Holy of Holies in the Church of Christ. What a solemn act! To approach this altar,
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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