Really good friends are few and far between. I’ve had and have a few. Some are now with the Lord and others are scattered across the many states we have lived in. Each of them contributed in a positive way to my life. A good friend is someone who knows you, loves you despite your flaws, but most of all they tell you the truth even, or especially when they know it’s going to hurt. A true friend always wants what is best for you, and the best is always going to draw you closer to God. Note, if someone is encouraging you to do something that is wrong or even sits silently and lets you do it, they are not your friend. If they know you well, in love they will expose wrong attitudes, wrong words, or wrong actions, because they are all sin!
Nathan was a good friend to David. There are not many accounts of Nathan in the Bible or many named Nathan. We have three separate accounts of Nathan the prophet with David. He served as a prophet, which is a messenger or proclaimer of the truth of God. The Hebrew word prophet means to “bubble forth” like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God.
In II Samuel 7, David wanted to build a temple for God. His desire was to place the Ark of the Covenant in a temple. A true temple, not a tent. He wanted it to be better than where he lived.
II Samuel 7:2 “That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.”
At first, Nathan encourages David to go ahead with his plans. It sounded good and honorable, but that night after Nathan returned to his home the Lord spoke to him. He told Nathan to tell David that he was not to build the temple, but his son Solomon would build the temple. This wasn’t what David wanted to hear, but he knew his friend Nathan was God’s man and would tell him the truth.
II Samuel 7:12-13 “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
Next, we have, probably the hardest task in their friendship. Nathan, in II Samuel 12, must confront David with his sin. David was idle one evening while his men were in battle. He went on the rooftop to gain refreshing air. He saw the wife of Uriah, Bathsheba, taking a bath. He yields to his lust and has her brought to his palace where they begin an adulterous affair. She gets pregnant, and to cover up the affair David plans to have Uriah killed in battle. He now adds murder to the sin of lying, deception, lust, and adultery.
Nathan, at least nine months later than when David had committed these hideous sins, goes to David and declares what God has told him. He begins by sharing a story of a very poor man who only had one little lamb, and of a rich man that took that one lamb. In II Samuel 12:5-6, David was justifiably angry at the injustice this rich man had committed. He orders the man to restore four-fold what he took and sentenced him to death.
II Samuel 12:5-6 “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
Now Nathan must do what would be hard in any friendship. He must tell David that he is the guilty party. This may seem like a hard task to us, but it was doubly hard for Nathan. He was not only the friend, advisor, and prophet of God to David, but he was speaking to the King! The King had the authority to retaliate any way he wished. It was within David’s power to have Nathan killed for being so bold. Nathan chose to do the right thing without knowing how David would react. You see, his first obligation was to obey God.
II Samuel 12:7 “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.”
Thankfully David’s response was repentance. He was forgiven and remained King. For the details of the story, I would suggest reading all of chapters 11 and 12 of II Samuel. You will also find the consequences of David’s disobedience.
The next meeting that is recorded is near the end of David’s life. In I Kings chapter 1, there are more consequences showing up from David’s sin with Bathsheba. David’s son Adonijah is seeking to take over the kingdom from his father. Nathan knew what was being planned and he, with Bathsheba, come to the ailing King to reveal what was about to happen. When David heard of the treachery planned by Adonijah he appointed his son Solomon to be king. In verse 45 Solomon was anointed by Nathan and Zadok the priest, to be king.
Nathan was truly the kind of friend that we all need. He was a close friend that David could trust. He showed courage, love, trust, and loyalty to David throughout their lives. Nathan was committed to obeying God no matter what the cost was to him. David recognized this in his friend. I think that is why he listened when Nathan did not say what he wanted to hear. I think that is also why he named one of his own sons Nathan.
Do you have a friend like this? One who is true to scripture? One who loves you enough to tell you the truth, instead of going along with your pity parties and self-indulgence? If not, then find one! Look for a godly woman if you are a woman, or a godly man if you are a man, that you know walks with God. Take charge of your friendships and develop a godly relationship.
