Atomic Bible

Prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon.

Nathan

Named in 29 verses across 4 books, first in 2 Samuel 7:2.

נָתָןNathan

The name means “given; giving; rewarded.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Children
Azariah, Zabud

About Nathan Written by AI

Nathan was a prominent prophet in Israel during the reigns of King David and his son Solomon. He first appears in the biblical narrative when David expresses his desire to build a temple for the Lord (2 Samuel 7:2 to 3; 1 Chronicles 17:1 to 2). Initially, Nathan encourages David to proceed, but later receives a message from God directing David not to build the temple, a task that would fall to his son Solomon (2 Samuel 7:4 to 17; 1 Chronicles 17:3 to 15). One of Nathan's most significant roles was confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. Nathan told David a parable about a rich man who took a poor man's beloved lamb, prompting David to condemn the rich man's actions (2 Samuel 12:1 to 6). Nathan then boldly declared, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7), revealing that the parable was an allegory for David's own sin. David repented, and Nathan conveyed God's forgiveness but also pronounced the consequences of David's actions (2 Samuel 12:13 to 15). Nathan played a crucial role in ensuring Solomon's accession to the throne. When David's son Adonijah attempted to seize the throne, Nathan and Bathsheba worked together to inform David and secure his decision to appoint Solomon as his successor (1Kings 1). During Solomon's reign, Nathan's sons held important positions in the royal court. One son, Azariah, was put in charge of the district officers (1 Kings 4:5), while another, Zabud, was a priest and the king's friend (1 Kings 4:5). Nathan's prophetic ministry and influence extended beyond his lifetime. His writings were included in the records of the acts of David (1 Chronicles 29:29) and Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:29). The Psalms also mention Nathan, specifically in the title of Psalm 51, which is associated with David's repentance following his confrontation with Nathan. As a prophet, Nathan served as a messenger of God, offering guidance, correction, and support to the kings of Israel. His legacy as a fearless and faithful servant of God is remembered throughout the biblical narrative.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Nathan, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Given. (1.) A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Chr. 9:29). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple (2 Sam. 7:2, 3, 17), and next appears as the reprover of David on account of his sin with Bathsheba (12:1-14). He was charged with the education of Solomon (12:25), at whose inauguration to the throne he took a prominent part (1 Kings 1:8, 10, 11, 22-45). His two sons, Zabad (1 Chr. 2:36) and Azariah (1 Kings 4:5) occupied places of honour at the king’s court. He last appears in assisting David in reorganizing the public worship (2 Chr. 29:25). He seems to have written a life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29).

(2.) A son of David, by Bathsheba (2 Sam. 5:14), whose name appears in the genealogy of Mary, the mother of our Lord (Luke 3:31).

Read the rest of the entry

(3.) Ezra 8:16.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 2 Samuel 7:2

    he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

  2. 2 Samuel 7:3

    And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”

  3. 2 Samuel 7:4

    But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,

  4. 2 Samuel 7:17

    So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.

  5. 2 Samuel 12:1

    Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

  6. 2 Samuel 12:5

    David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!

  7. 2 Samuel 12:7

    Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

  8. 2 Samuel 12:13

    Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

  9. 2 Samuel 12:15

    After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill.

  10. 2 Samuel 12:25

    and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.

  11. 1 Kings 1:8

    But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

  12. 1 Kings 1:10

    But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

  13. 1 Kings 1:11

    Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

  14. 1 Kings 1:22

    And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

  15. 1 Kings 1:23

    So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.

  16. 1 Kings 1:24

    “My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?

  17. 1 Kings 1:32

    Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.

  18. 1 Kings 1:34

    There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

  19. 1 Kings 1:38

    Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.

  20. 1 Kings 1:44

    And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.

  21. 1 Kings 1:45

    Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.

  22. 1 Kings 4:5

    Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;

  23. 1 Chronicles 17:1

    After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

  24. 1 Chronicles 17:2

    And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

  25. 1 Chronicles 17:3

    But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

  26. 1 Chronicles 17:15

    So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.

  27. 1 Chronicles 29:29

    Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are indeed written in the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, the Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer,

  28. 2 Chronicles 9:29

    As for the rest of the acts of Solomon, from beginning to end, are they not written in the Records of Nathan the Prophet, in the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the Visions of Iddo the Seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat?

  29. 2 Chronicles 29:25

    Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.