Nathan
Israelite / Jew Hebrew · United Kingdom · Old Testament
- Name means
- He gave
- Role
- Prophet in David's court
- When
- c. 1000-970 BC (traditional)
What they did
Brought God's covenant promise of an everlasting throne to David. He confronted David's sin with a parable and the words, 'Thou art the man', and later helped secure Solomon's anointing.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Through Nathan God announced the Davidic covenant fulfilled in Christ, and showed that true prophets speak God's word even to kings.
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 2 Samuel 12:7 (KJV)
Bible references
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 2 Samuel 7:17 (KJV)
And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 Samuel 12:1 (KJV)
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 2 Samuel 12:7 (KJV)
And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. 1 Kings 1:34 (KJV)
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, 1 Chronicles 29:29 (KJV)
Family
Recorded the acts of David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29).