2 Samuel 12:3

French (BFC) 1997 (Bible en Français Courant)

Le pauvre ne possédait qu'une seule petite brebis qu'il avait achetée. Il la nourrissait, et elle grandissait chez lui, en même temps que ses enfants. Elle mangeait la même nourriture et buvait le même lait que lui, elle dormait tout près de lui. Elle était comme sa fille.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes a poor man who owned only one little ewe lamb that he had taken care of as if it were his own child. The lamb ate his food, drank from his cup, and was very dear to him. It is part of a parable told by the prophet Nathan to King David.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have only one special toy that you love very much, and it's like your own little sister or brother. You play with it all the time, share your snacks with it, and even cuddle with it at night. That's how the poor man felt about his little lamb.

Historical Background

The book of 2 Samuel was written by prophets and historians, likely around 900 BC, during the time of King David. It was written for the Israelites to document their history and to teach moral and spiritual lessons. This parable was told to show King David the wrongness of his actions.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, this verse can remind us of the value we place on our possessions and how we treat others. For example, if a coworker is struggling financially, we can reflect on this story and consider how we might help them, just as the poor man valued his lamb.

Topics

• compassion
• morality
• justice
• humility
• prophets
• parable

Related Verses

• 1 Samuel 17:34-35
• John 10:11-15
• Luke 15:4-7
• Genesis 33:13-14
• Isaiah 40:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is telling this parable?

The parable is told by the prophet Nathan to King David, to illustrate the wrongness of David's actions.

Why is the lamb so important to the poor man?

The lamb is the poor man's only possession and has been raised as if it were his child, making it extremely precious to him.

What is the moral of this parable?

The parable teaches about the sin of taking something that does not belong to you, highlighting the unfairness of the rich man's actions compared to the poor man's circumstances.

How does this relate to King David's situation?

Nathan uses this parable to show David how his actions (taking Bathsheba) were unjust, much like the rich man taking the poor man's lamb.