King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 12:13 Mean?

2 Samuel 12:13 in the King James Version says “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy ...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”

2 Samuel 12:13 · KJV

Context

11

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12

For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14

Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15

And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

Read 2 Samuel 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Nathan's Rebuke, emphasizing conviction, repentance, consequences. Nathan's prophetic confrontation using parable demonstrates effective rebuke methodology. David's immediate repentance ("I have sinned against the LORD") contrasts with Saul's defensive self-justification. The child's death demonstrates that forgiveness doesn't eliminate all consequences. Theological themes include God's hatred of sin, the necessity of repentance, the distinction between eternal and temporal consequences, and God's grace that continues despite devastating sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 12 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding conviction, repentance, consequences provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of conviction, repentance, consequences?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֗ד2 of 16

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָתָ֜ן4 of 16

“And Nathan”

H5416

nathan, the name of five israelites

חָטָ֖אתִי5 of 16

“I have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

יְהוָ֛ה6 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר7 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָתָ֜ן8 of 16

“And Nathan”

H5416

nathan, the name of five israelites

אֶל9 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֗ד10 of 16

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

גַּם11 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

יְהוָ֛ה12 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הֶֽעֱבִ֥יר13 of 16

“also hath put away”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

חַטָּֽאתְךָ֖14 of 16

“thy sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

לֹ֥א15 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָמֽוּת׃16 of 16

“thou shalt not die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 12:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 12:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 51:42 Samuel 24:10Zechariah 3:4Proverbs 28:13Luke 15:21Micah 7:18-19

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2 Samuel 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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