Broken and Broken

This message explores Nathan the prophet’s rebuke of David and David’s response to Nathan’s rebuke. At first, David’s sinful brokenness is exposed and then David lets himself become broken in repentance before God. David could have chosen other responses, such as denial of his wrong, silencing his confronter, or something else altogether. What can we learn from David here?
(2 Samuel 12 & Psalm 51)

Sermon Outline

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”  (Psalm 51:1)

Story Opens the Way (2 Samuel 12:1-6)

  • Nathan’s artful parable
  • David’s strong response
  • The power of story

A Shocking Turn (2 Samuel 12:7-14)

  • Nathan’s turning of the story to confront David
  • Nathan names the truth
  • Nathan unveils the aftereffects of David’s wrong
  • David’s succinct admission of his wrong
  • Nathan promises forgiveness

David’s Repentance (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

  • The sickness of David and Bathsheba’s child
  • David in prayer and fasting  
  • The child’s death
  • David’s end of mourning and return to life

David’s Repentant Life (2 Samuel 12:24-29)

  • The end of mourning and the gift of a child: not God’s anger but love
  • The end of lax living and the return to kingly duty: a change of ways

Four Considerations

  1. “The God who sees”: letting go of moral autonomy before the God who sees all
  2. “The truth will set you free”: finding freedom by living in the truth
  3. “Go and sin no more”: experiencing the joy of repentance
  4. “The Son of Man will be delivered to sinful men”: encountering the Son whose death truly brings love, life, and new beginnings

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. When have you experienced deep relief from a burden in your life?
  2. This week we continue our sermon series, “The Pursuit of God” by looking at Nathan’s confrontation of David about his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah in 2 Samuel 12. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through the Scripture, and then read that passage aloud.
  3. Background: David’s sin against Bathsheba and Uriah in 2 Samuel 11 forms the backdrop to our story. If you are not familiar with the story, consider reading chapter 11 as well.
  4. What stands out to you about Nathan’s story and David’s response to Nathan in verses 1-6?
  5. Why do you think God prompted Nathan to tell a story to David?
  6. Beginning in verse 7, Nathan turns the story into an opportunity to confront David about the wrong with Bathsheba and Uriah. What does Nathan name as David’s wrongs? If you were to hold up David’s actions against the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), which sins was David guilty of?
  7. If you were Nathan, would you have been afraid to do this? What might be some of the potential outcomes of Nathan’s confrontation of David?
  8. What were the consequences of David’s sin according to Nathan in verses 10-14?
  9. How does David respond to Nathan’s confrontation in verse 13?
  10. When have you experienced the reality of sin in your life and how did you respond to God and others in that time?
  11. What is one thing you sense God speaking to you personally through this week’s study? In small groups, discuss this with together and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and consider sharing your thoughts with someone this week.

DIG DEEPER

  • This week, engage with the story of 2 Samuel 12 by entering into the story by slow reading. Read the story aloud at least twice. After each reading, let the Lord speak to you about your own life. What stands out to you about the flow of action, each character, and who God is in this?
  • Psalm 51 arose from the context of the story in 2 Samuel 12. This week, consider reading Psalm 51 once per day as a means for engaging with God in prayer, repentance, and forgiveness.
  • Explore some or all of these resources:
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