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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 12:4 Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for his guest."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/10_2Sa_12_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 12:4 - Nathan Rebukes David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. 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Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” <a href="/esv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.” <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a> And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Now a visitor came to the wealthy man, And he could not bring himself to take any animal from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the traveler who had come to him; So he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Now a traveler came to the rich man, And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man&#8217s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Now a traveler came to the rich man, And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now a visitor came to the rich man, And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the traveler who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/amp/2_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Now a traveler (visitor) came to the rich man, And to avoid taking one from his own flock or herd To prepare [a meal] for the traveler who had come to him, He took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for his guest.” <a href="/csb/2_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man could not bring himself to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man could not bring himself to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man&#8217s lamb and prepared it for his guest. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day someone came to visit the rich man, but the rich man didn't want to kill any of his own sheep or cattle and serve it to the visitor. So he stole the poor man's lamb and served it instead. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared her for the traveler." <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> One day a visitor arrived at the rich man's home. The rich man didn't want to kill one of his own animals to fix a meal for him; instead, he took the poor man's lamb and prepared a meal for his guest." <a href="/isv/2_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> A traveler arrived to visit the rich man. Because he was unwilling to take an animal from one of his own flocks or herds to prepare for the guest who had come to visit him, he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to visit him." <a href="/msb/2_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man?s lamb and prepared it for his guest.? <a href="/net/2_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a> "When a traveler arrived at the rich man's home, he did not want to use one of his own sheep or cattle to feed the traveler who had come to visit him. Instead, he took the poor man's lamb and cooked it for the man who had come to visit him." <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> A traveler came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him." <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there came a traveler to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the way-faring man that had come to him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that had come to him. <a href="/web/2_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a> A traveler came to the rich man, and he didn’t want to take of his own flock and of his own herd to prepare for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And a traveler comes to the rich man, and he spares to take from his own flock, and from his own herd, to prepare for the traveling [man] who has come to him; and he takes the ewe-lamb of the poor man and prepares it for the man who has come to him.” <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And there cometh a traveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for the traveller Who hath come to him, And he taketh the ewe-lamb of the poor man, And prepareth it for the man Who hath come unto him.' <a href="/slt/2_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a traveler will come to the rich man, and he will spare to take from his sheep and from his oxen to do for the wayfarer coming to him; and he will take the poor man's ewe lamb and do for the man coming to him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, who was come to him, but took the poor man's ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But when a certain traveler had come to the wealthy man, neglecting to take from his own sheep and oxen, so that he might present a feast for that traveler, who had come to him, he took the sheep of the poor man, and he prepared a meal for the man who had come to him.” <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a> Now, a visitor came to the rich man, but he spared his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him: he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And there came a guest to the rich man, and he refused to take of his own herds or flocks to make a banquet for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's ewe lamb and prepared it for the guest who had come to him. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> A guest came to the rich man and he spared to take from his oxen and from his sheep to prepare for his guest who had come to him, and he took the ewe lamb of that poor man and he prepared it for his guest who had come to him<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.' <a href="/sep/2_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And a traveller came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his flocks and of his herds, to dress for the traveller that came to him; and he took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that came to him. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/12-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=2867" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Nathan Rebukes David</a> …3but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. 4<a href="/hebrew/1982.htm" title="1982: hê·leḵ (N-ms) -- Traveler. From halak; properly, a journey, i.e. a wayfarer; also a flowing.">Now a traveler</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/6223.htm" title="6223: he·‘ā·šîr (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Rich. From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative.">to the rich</a> <a href="/hebrew/2550.htm" title="2550: way·yaḥ·mōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To spare. A primitive root; to commiserate; by implication, to spare."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qa·ḥaṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">who refrained from taking</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: miṣ·ṣō·nōw (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">one of his own sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: ū·mib·bə·qā·rōw (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">or cattle</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to prepare</a> <a href="/hebrew/732.htm" title="732: lā·’ō·rê·aḥ (Prep-l, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To wander, journey, go. A primitive root; to travel.">for the traveler</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: hab·bā- (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">who had come</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Instead, he took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7326.htm" title="7326: hā·rāš (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be in want or poor. A primitive root; to be destitute.">the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3535.htm" title="3535: kiḇ·śaṯ (N-fsc) -- Ewe lamb. Or kabsah; feminine of kebes; a ewe.">lamb</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘ă·śe·hā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and prepared it</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lā·’îš (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">for his guest.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: hab·bā (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> 5David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1</a> “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. <a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Leviticus 6:4-5</a> once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, / or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt. <a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30-31</a> Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. / Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. <a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a> But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Matthew 18:25-27</a> Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. / Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ / His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him. <a href="/1_kings/21-1.htm">1 Kings 21:1-16</a> Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ... <a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1-2</a> Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. <a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a> Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a> Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Isaiah 3:14-15</a> The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. <a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a> The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13-17</a> “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, / who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. / Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. ... <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-13</a> About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ... <a href="/job/24-2.htm">Job 24:2-4</a> Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks. / They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge. / They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding. <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a> Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there came a travelers to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come to him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.a traveller<a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Genesis 18:2-7</a> And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, … <a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14</a> But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.took the<a href="/2_samuel/11-3.htm">2 Samuel 11:3,4</a> And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Ewe</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-20.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-9.htm">Lamb</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-20.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-3.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-2.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Traveler</a> <a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Wayfarer</a> <a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Wayfaring</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/13-5.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-18.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Ewe</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-39.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-29.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-6.htm">Lamb</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-28.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-7.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-10.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-23.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-40.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-7.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Traveler</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Wayfarer</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Wayfaring</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 12</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.</a> 7. <a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned</a> 15. <a href="/2_samuel/12-15.htm">David mourns and prays for the child while it lives</a> 24. <a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm">Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah</a> 26. <a href="/2_samuel/12-26.htm">David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now a traveler came to the rich man In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a significant social obligation. Travelers relied on the generosity of others for food and shelter. The rich man in this parable represents those with abundant resources, highlighting the expectation that he would provide for the traveler. This scenario sets the stage for a moral lesson, as the rich man's actions are contrasted with the expected norms of hospitality and generosity.who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle The rich man's decision not to use his own resources underscores his selfishness and greed. In biblical times, livestock was a sign of wealth and prosperity. The refusal to use his own sheep or cattle, despite having plenty, reveals a heart that is unwilling to sacrifice for others. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God calls His people to be generous and to care for the needy, as seen in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-11</a>.to prepare for the traveler who had come to him The preparation of a meal for a guest was a customary act of hospitality. The rich man's failure to use his own resources for this purpose highlights a moral failing. This act of preparation is symbolic of the spiritual and moral preparation expected of God's people, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins in <a href="/matthew/25.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a>, where readiness and proper preparation are emphasized.Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb The poor man's lamb represents innocence and vulnerability. In the context of the parable, this act is a grave injustice, as the lamb was not only the poor man's possession but also a cherished part of his household. This mirrors the biblical theme of the exploitation of the weak by the powerful, a sin condemned by prophets like Amos (<a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Amos 2:6-7</a>). The lamb can also be seen as a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was sacrificed for the sins of humanity.and prepared it for his guest. The preparation of the poor man's lamb for the guest is the culmination of the rich man's selfishness and lack of compassion. This act of taking what little the poor man had and using it for his own purposes is a direct violation of the biblical call to love one's neighbor as oneself (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>). It serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance, as later seen in David's own repentance in <a href="/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nathan.htm">Nathan</a> A prophet sent by God to confront King David about his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. He uses a parable to reveal David's wrongdoing. 2. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The King of Israel who committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband, Uriah. He is the subject of Nathan's parable. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_rich_man.htm">The Rich Man</a> Represents David in Nathan's parable. He has many resources but chooses to take from someone with very little. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_poor_man.htm">The Poor Man</a> Represents Uriah in the parable. He has only one lamb, symbolizing his wife Bathsheba, whom David took. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_traveler.htm">The Traveler</a> A figure in the parable representing temptation or desire, prompting the rich man's unjust actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_sin.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Sin</a> Sin often disguises itself as a small or justified action, but it can have devastating consequences. We must be vigilant and honest about our actions and their impacts. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_accountability.htm">The Importance of Accountability</a> Nathan's role as a prophet shows the necessity of having people in our lives who can speak truth to us, even when it's uncomfortable. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a> While God is just and condemns sin, He also offers mercy and a path to repentance, as seen in David's eventual forgiveness. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_repentance.htm">The Value of Repentance</a> True repentance involves recognizing our wrongs, seeking forgiveness, and making amends where possible, as David did after Nathan's rebuke. <a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_our_choices_on_others.htm">The Impact of Our Choices on Others</a> Our decisions can deeply affect those around us, often in ways we might not immediately see. We must consider the broader impact of our actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_parable.htm">What defines a parable?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_nathan_confront_david's_sin.htm">How did Nathan confront David about his sin?</a> <a href="/q/is_david's_quick_forgiveness_realistic.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:13, David's quick confession leads to forgiveness, but is the swift absolution realistic given the gravity of adultery and murder?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_nathan_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nathan in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - A traveller,... wayfaring man,... man that was come to him. Nathan probably used these three terms chiefly to diversify his language, but it has served as a handle for much allegorizing. Thus Rashi explains it of covetousness, which comes at first as a mere "passer by," the literal meaning of the word rendered "traveller." But, if admitted, it grows into "a wayfaring man," who comes and goes on business, and stays a longer time. Finally it changes into "one who has come to him," and remains permanently. Such allegorical interpretations are common in the Fathers, and thus Augustine compares the three stages of sin to our Lord's three miracles of raising the dead. The sinner is at first like Jairus's daughter, just dead, and repentance can restore him immediately to life; but, if sin be persisted in, he becomes like the son of the widow of Nain, carried away to burial; and finally like Lazarus, given over to corruption. <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/12-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now a traveler הֵלֶךְ֮ (hê·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1982.htm">Strong's 1982: </a> A journey, a wayfarer, a flowing came וַיָּ֣בֹא (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to the rich הֶֽעָשִׁיר֒ (he·‘ā·šîr) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6223.htm">Strong's 6223: </a> Rich man, לְאִ֣ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person who refrained from taking לָקַ֤חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take one of his own sheep מִצֹּאנוֹ֙ (miṣ·ṣō·nōw) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock or cattle וּמִבְּקָר֔וֹ (ū·mib·bə·qā·rōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> Beef cattle, ox, a herd to prepare לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make for the traveler לָאֹרֵ֖חַ (lā·’ō·rê·aḥ) Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_732.htm">Strong's 732: </a> To wander, journey, go who had come הַבָּא־ (hab·bā-) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to him. ל֑וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Instead, he took וַיִּקַּ֗ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take the poor הָרָ֔אשׁ (hā·rāš) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7326.htm">Strong's 7326: </a> To be in want or poor man’s הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person lamb כִּבְשַׂת֙ (kiḇ·śaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3535.htm">Strong's 3535: </a> Ewe lamb and prepared it וַֽיַּעֲשֶׂ֔הָ (way·ya·‘ă·śe·hā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make for his guest.” לָאִ֖ישׁ (lā·’îš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-4.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 12:4 A traveler came to the rich man (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>