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2 Samuel 12:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 12:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
2 Samuel 12:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Jehovah 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.
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;
3but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4And 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.
5And David`s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die:
6and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
← 2 Samuel 12:32 Samuel 12:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And there came a traveller unto the rich man, etc.] By which some understand Satan, who came to David, and stirred up his lust by the temptations that offered; who is a walker, as the word used signifies, that goes about seeking whom he may devour, and is with good men only as a wayfaring man, who does not abide with them; and whose temptations, when they succeed with such, are as meat and drink to him, very entertaining but the Jews generally understand it of the evil imagination or concupiscence in man, the lustful appetite in David, that wandered after another man’s wife, and wanted to be satiated with her: and he spared to take of his own flock, and of his own herd, to dress for the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:4 he took the poor man’s lamb: Samuel had previously warned that a king would take what was not his (1 Sam 8:11-17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a traveller: Gen 18:2-7; Jam 1:14 took the: Sa2 11:3, Sa2 11:4 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:5”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification