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2 Samuel 12:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 12:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
2 Samuel 12:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
8and I gave thee thy master`s house, and thy master`s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added unto thee such and such things.
9Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
← 2 Samuel 12:52 Samuel 12:7 →
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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 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, etc.] Which was according to the law in (<022201>Exodus 22:1); but Kimchi thinks, because the word is of the dual number, it signifies double the number, and that the sentence was to restore eight lambs, because he being a rich man stole from the poor man; so Mr. Weemse f187 renders it, twice four, twice as much as was commanded in the law; for the Hebrews, he observes, double in the dual number till they come to seven: because he did this thing; committed this theft: and because he had no pity; on the poor man, but took his all. The Jews observe, that accordingly David was punished with the loss of four of his children, that which was born of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Fourfold - The exact number prescribed by the Law (see the marginal references), and acted upon by Zaccheus. The Septuagint has “sevenfold,” as in Proverbs 6:31. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“restore: Exo 22:1; Pro 6:31; Luk 19:8 because: Jam 2:13 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:7”
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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