MPV Commentary

He Applies It to David, Who Confesses His Sin, and Is Pardoned.

7. Nathan said to David, "You are the man" - These words pierced his heart, arousing his conscience and bringing him to his knees. The sincerity and depth of his penitent sorrow are evident in the Psalms he composed (Ps 32:1-11; 51:1-19; 103:1-22). He was pardoned, as far as restoration of divine favor is concerned. However, due to his high character for piety and prominent position in society, his deplorable fall would cause significant harm to the cause of religion. Therefore, God testified His abhorrence of sin by allowing even His own servant to suffer temporal consequences. David was not doomed according to his own view of justice (2Sa 12:5); instead, he had to endure a quadruple expiation through the successive deaths of four sons, as well as other prolonged evils.

8. I gave you your master's house and your master's wives - This phrase means that God, in His providence, had given David everything that belonged to Saul as king of Israel. The history confirms that he never actually married any of Saul's wives. However, the harem of the preceding king is considered part of the regalia belonging to his successor according to Oriental customs.

11. I will raise up evil against you out of your own house - The prophet speaks of God threatening to do what He only permitted to be done. In reality, David's loss of character due to the discovery of his crimes naturally led to a decline in respect from his family, weakened authority over his government, and encouraged various disorders throughout his kingdom.

15-23. The Lord struck the child...and it was very sick - The first visible chastisement inflicted on David appeared on the person of that child which served as evidence and monument of his guilt. His servants were surprised by his conduct, and to explain its singularity, we note that in Eastern customs, relatives leave the nearest relative of a deceased person undisturbed until at least three or four days have passed (Joh 11:17). Only then do other relatives and friends visit them, invite them to eat, lead them to a bath, and bring them new clothes. The surprise of David's servants arose from seeing him deeply lament the child's illness but then, upon its death, arise without waiting for their assistance, immediately bathe and anoint himself instead of appearing as a mourner. After worshiping God with solemnity, he returned to his usual repast without any interposition by others.

24-25. Solomon Is Born.

24-25. Bath-sheba...bore a son, and he called his name Solomon - meaning "peaceable." However, Nathan gave him the name Jedediah, as commanded by God or perhaps as an expression of God's love. This love and the noble gifts with which he was endowed, considering the criminality of the marriage from which he sprang, is a remarkable instance of divine goodness and grace.