Nathan was a prophet of the Lord and David’s personal prophet. The prophets communicated with God directly, giving the king and God’s people messages from the Lord. Nathan acted as David’s spiritual mentor, friend, shepherd, Bible teacher, advisor, and counselor. Leaders should be accountable to someone like David was to Nathan, though in reality David was accountable to God. Nathan had rebuked David for his sin with Bathsheba and her husband according to 2 Samuel 12:1-23.
After the Ark was brought into the temple, “Nathan repeated to David all the words of the entire revelation.” (17) The revelation regarded a rebuke and the future of David’s line of kings. Now Nathan remained loyal to David, God’s chosen instrument, when everyone else was not. A wise man knows the people God chooses, especially God’s anointed leaders, and remains loyal to them.
David’s humility in talking to Nathan about his plans, listening to rebukes through Nathan, and respecting Nathan’s loyalty, counters Saul’s leadership style. Even though he was old, David remained loyal to God’s word concerning Solomon. Know the Lord’s plan and remain loyal to it.
