Gad & Nathan: Prophets to David

Gad & Nathan Prophets to David Gad is called “David’s seer” Gad is called “David’s seer” – 2 Sam. 24:11; 1 Chr. 21:9; 29:29; 2 Chr. 29:25 – “Prophet” and “seer” are used interchangeably in Scripture: “Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: ‘Come, let us go to the seer’; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer” (1 Sam. 9:9). “Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: ‘Come, let us go to the seer’; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer” (1 Sam. 9:9). – Some suggest distinguish: Prophet – the objective or active work Prophet – the objective or active work Seer – the subjective method of receiving divine revelation, by “seeing” Seer – the subjective method of receiving divine revelation, by “seeing”

Pre-Reign – God Wanted David among the People, Ready to Be King (1 Sam. 22:1-5) Pre-Reign – God Wanted David among the People, Ready to Be King (1 Sam. 22:1-5) – David fled for his life from Saul & the king of Gath to the Cave of Adullam for safety Everyone in the kingdom who was in distress, debt or discontented gathered to him & he became captain over them (about 400 men) Everyone in the kingdom who was in distress, debt or discontented gathered to him & he became captain over them (about 400 men) – The prophet Gad told David: “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” David was gaining a following; Saul was losing his. David was gaining a following; Saul was losing his. David needed to appear to the people as a leader. David needed to appear to the people as a leader. Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

Early-Reign – God Promised to Establish David’s Throne Forever (2 Sam. 7:1-17) Early-Reign – God Promised to Establish David’s Throne Forever (2 Sam. 7:1-17) – At first, Nathan gives David his opinion (v. 3) – Then, God tells Nathan what to say Do not build a house for God Do not build a house for God The Lord will build you a house – 1 Chr. 17:10 The Lord will build you a house – 1 Chr. 17:10 The Lord will set up your seed & est. his kingdom The Lord will set up your seed & est. his kingdom Your seed (Solomon) will build a house for God Your seed (Solomon) will build a house for God The Lord will establish his throne forever The Lord will establish his throne forever – Luke 1:32-33 – “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

Mid-Reign – God Pronounced Judgment upon David for His Sin (2 Sam. 12:1-25) Mid-Reign – God Pronounced Judgment upon David for His Sin (2 Sam. 12:1-25) – Nathan tells a parable about a little ewe lamb & David unknowingly condemns himself – God’s judgment for sin is outlined by Nathan “You are the man!” (must have been tough to say) “You are the man!” (must have been tough to say) “The sword shall never depart from your house.” “The sword shall never depart from your house.” – David had said the rich man should restore fourfold » The baby died – 2 Sam. 12:18 » Amnon was killed by Absalom – 2 Sam. 13:32 » Absalom died in his rebellion – 2 Sam. 18:15 » Adonijah was killed by Solomon – 1 Kings 2:25 Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

Mid-Reign – God Pronounced Judgment upon David for His Sin (2 Sam. 12:1-25) Mid-Reign – God Pronounced Judgment upon David for His Sin (2 Sam. 12:1-25) – Nathan tells a parable & David unknowingly condemns himself – God’s judgment for sin is outlined by Nathan “You are the man!” “You are the man!” “The sword shall never depart from your house.” “The sword shall never depart from your house.” David said, “I have sinned against the Lord.” David said, “I have sinned against the Lord.” “The Lord put away your sin, but the child will die.” “The Lord put away your sin, but the child will die.” – Solomon is born later (name = “peaceable”) Nathan was sent by the Lord to call him Jedidiah, “beloved of the Lord.” Nathan was sent by the Lord to call him Jedidiah, “beloved of the Lord.” Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

Late-Reign – God Brought Judgment Again on David for His Sin (2 Sam. 24:10-19) Late-Reign – God Brought Judgment Again on David for His Sin (2 Sam. 24:10-19) – David sinned by numbering the people “David’s heart condemned him” “David’s heart condemned him” He prayed to God, confessed & begged forgiveness He prayed to God, confessed & begged forgiveness – Gad spoke to David of three punishments that God offered & told David to choose one David fell into the mercies of God (please not man) David fell into the mercies of God (please not man) Plague upon Israel – David pleaded for the people Plague upon Israel – David pleaded for the people – Gad instructed David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah Believed to be where Solomon built the temple Believed to be where Solomon built the temple Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

Post-Reign – God Protected David’s Throne By Securing Solomon as King (1 Kg. 1:8-53) Post-Reign – God Protected David’s Throne By Securing Solomon as King (1 Kg. 1:8-53) – David was very old and dying – His son, Adonijah, conspired to be the king – Nathan went to Bathsheba, then to David Did David not swear by the Lord that Solomon would be king? Did David not swear by the Lord that Solomon would be king? – God had actually chosen Solomon as king before his birth – 1 Chr. 22:9 – David sent Nathan, et al. to anoint Solomon – Nathan anointed Solomon king of Israel Gad & Nathan Prophets to David

The Influence of Gad & Nathan Continued The Influence of Gad & Nathan Continued – 1 Chron. 29:29 Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, – 2 Chron. 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? – 2 Chron. 29:25 Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. Gad & Nathan Prophets to David