NATHAN: PROPHET, POLITICIAN, AND NOVELIST

Nathan: Prophet, Politician, and Novelist

Nathan: Prophet, Politician, and Novelist by Keith Bodner

Introduction

Nathan in the given article was a prophet during the supremacy of David the King. Nathan was presented in the Hebrew Scriptures as an intimate of David's court and prophet. He appears to be a central character in three different scenes; two of them are in the book of “2 Samuel” and third in the book of “1 Kings”. David and Nathan interact in these three episodes: In the first scene, Nathan is consulted by David about the king's plans to build a temple for Yahveh, In the second scene, Nathan presents to David the divine reprimand for his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, whereas, In the third story (1 Kgs. 1), Nathan is part of a court conspiracy in which he advises Bathsheba of a plan to persuade the senile David to make Solomon king instead of his older brother Adonijah. The implication is prepared that all three of the 'Nathan narratives' are interlinked, and a rational representation of the prophet appears when they are read together. (Capra, 2002)

Discussion

King David's and Nathan Plans to Build the Temple (2 Sm. 7:1-17)

The first scene defines how King David initiated the plan of building a temple and Nathan's role in this plan. King David after bringing the Ark of God to Jerusalem, planned to build a home for God. He shared the plans with Nathan, the prophet. Nathan approved the plan, and boldly gave his support to it, and also promised David the establishment of an everlasting dynasty. Subsequently to expressions of support of Nathan, an eye opener was given to Nathan by the Lord that had put David's role in a side and told him that this ling promised from the house of ...