Nathan was a prophet during David’s and Solomon’s reigns who confronted David’s sin, guided royal affairs, and supported Solomon’s accession. The name also belonged to a son of David and others.
Definition
Nathan was a prophet active during the reigns of David and Solomon. He advised David concerning the temple, reproved David for his sin with Bathsheba, helped educate Solomon, supported Solomon’s accession, and assisted in reorganizing public worship. Nathan was also the name of a son of David by Bathsheba and of another person mentioned in Ezra.
Biblical Usage
Nathan appears as a prophet who brought God’s reproof to David and took a prominent role in Solomon’s inauguration. A different Nathan, David’s son by Bathsheba, appears in the genealogy of Jesus through Mary. The prophet is also associated with records concerning the reigns of David and Solomon.
Historical Background
The prophet’s sons, Zabad and Azariah, held places of honor at the royal court. He is said to have written accounts of David and Solomon, although the supplied material gives no further details about those writings.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Given. (1.) A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Chr. 9:29). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple (2 Sam. 7:2, 3, 17), and next appears as the reprover of David on account of his sin with Bathsheba (12:1-14). He was charged with the education of Solomon (12:25), at whose inauguration to the throne he took a prominent part (1 Kings 1:8, 10, 11, 22-45). His two sons, Zabad (1 Chr. 2:36) and Azariah (1 Kings 4:5) occupied places of honour at the king’s court. He last appears in assisting David in reorganizing the public worship (2 Chr. 29:25). He seems to have written a life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29). (2.) A son of David, by Bathsheba (2 Sam. 5:14), whose name appears in the genealogy of Mary, the mother of our Lord (Luke 3:31). (3.) Ezra 8:16.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a giver).
