2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 12:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What about Nathan? He swiftly addresses the injury, opening it anew and cutting deep, ensuring that the anguish remains acute. “It is you, O king.”

He has declared judgment and set the pathway for condemnation. Then the prophet steps away from his solemn demeanor and proclaims, “It is you, O king.”

Once the defendant had declared judgment upon himself, the prophet, having removed his disguise, reveals the accused in his complete vulnerability, for he states, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says....

When the monarch declared a just sentence on such wrongdoing, stating, ‘You are the man deserving of death,’ the prophet responded, saying, ‘It is you, O king, who have done this.’ You have taken the beloved lamb of the poor man Uriah; you are indeed the person you assess as worthy of death. Here, St. Basil of Seleucia, speaking through Nathan, addresses David, saying, ‘You, O king, have judged in a manner befitting your royalty. Yet, understand your case and recognize who stands condemned by your decree; I desired that you first render judgment upon yourself rather than upon the condemned. My focus is not on your consideration, but I seek the righteous judgment regarding your sin.’

A straightforward admonition is what truly brings about his awareness. “O king,” the Prophet declares to him, “you are the one!” This illustrates genuine zeal, skillfully blending boldness in correction with honor towards the individual being corrected.