THE EWE LAMB

Nathan’s parabolic narrative, vv. 2-4, is a succinct story having the appearance of an actual event. David is outraged - as who wouldn’t be? In fact, he overreacts, pronouncing the sentence of death on the heartless offender, in addition to the payment of fourfold restitution. Summary ‘justice’! Who’s next? Then comes Nathan’s identification, straight to the point, and he learns all too quickly; he is, v. 7.

The story is simple, an illustrative comparison taken from everyday life; it does not arouse suspicion, yet once the applica­tion is made and with very little reflection, the identities behind the story are obvious. Our Lord also used this teaching method with the Pharisees, notably in the parable of the wicked hus­bandmen, Matt. 21. 33-46; again, the guilty hearers responded with self-righteous indignation, v. 41, before it dawned very forcibly upon them that they were the guilty ones, v. 45.

How easy it is to see faults in others! How easy to overreact and condemn others, without a moment’s thought or consider­ation of the matter. How easy to be blind to our own faults! How easy to lack self-judgement! Our Lord’s words spring readily to mind about the mote and the beam, Matt. 7. 3-5.

David’s sense of guilt doubtless deepened as he thought, not only upon the general comparison between the story and the actuality, but also on a specific contrast: a ewe lamb stolen, a wife stolen, for the former of which he had pronounced death. The heinousness of the crime is underlined by some of the details; verse 3 shows us the love Uriah had for his wife, cherishing and nourishing her. This surely weighed heavily on David, vv. 16-18. Psalm 51 expresses David’s thoughts at this time.

This incident brings before us a central issue of the history of the kings: the grace and government of God. It is seen here in God graciously putting away David’s sin, a sin for which he could never have forgiven himself, v. 13, and for which there was no provision in the Levitical system; yet in the death of the child, v. 14, and the untimely death of three other of David’s sons, note ‘fourfold’, v. 6, we see the chastening hand of God as the consequences unravel.