Nathan

Nathan - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Given. (1.) A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Chr. 9:29). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple (2 Sam. 7:2, 3, 17), and next appears as the reprover of David on account of his sin with Bathsheba (12:1-14). He was charged with the education of Solomon (12:25), at whose inauguration to the throne he took a prominent part (1 Kings 1:8, 10, 11, 22-45). His two sons, Zabad (1 Chr. 2:36) and Azariah (1 Kings 4:5) occupied places of honour at the king's court. He last appears in assisting David in reorganizing the public worship (2 Chr. 29:25). He seems to have written a life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29).

(2.) A son of David, by Bathsheba (2 Sam. 5:14), whose name appears in the genealogy of Mary, the mother of our Lord (Luke 3:31).

(3.) Ezra 8:16.

1. An eminent Hebrew prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon. (B.C. 1015.) He first appears in the consultation with David about the building of the temple. (2 Samuel 7:2,3,17) He next comes forward as the reprover of David for the sin with Bathsheba; and his famous apologue on the rich man and the ewe lamb, which is the only direct example of his prophetic power, shows it to have been of a very high order. (2 Samuel 12:1-12)
2. A son of David; one of the four who were borne to him by Bathsheba. (1 Chronicles 3:5) comp, 1Chr 14:4 and 2Sam 5:14
3. Son or brother of one of the members of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:36; 1 Chronicles 11:38)
4. One of the head men who returned from Babylon with Ezra on his second expedition. (Ezra 8:16) 1 Esdr. 8:44. It is not impossible that he may be the same with the "son of Bani." (Ezra 10:39)

Definition

Nathan was a faithful prophet of God who lived while David was king over Israel.

• God sent Nathan to confront David after David sinned grievously against Uriah.
• Nathan rebuked David in spite of the fact that David was the king.
• David repented of his sin after Nathan confronted him.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: David, faithful, prophet, Uriah)

Bible References

• 1 Chronicles 17:1-2
• 2 Chronicles 9:29
• 2 Samuel 12:1-3
• Psalm 51:1

Examples from the Bible stories

• __17:7 God sent the prophet Nathan__ to David with this message, “Because you are a man of war, you will not build this Temple for me.”
• __17:13 God was very angry about what David had done, so he sent the prophet Nathan__ to tell David how evil his sin was.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H5416, G34810