one little lamb

2 Samuel 12:3&4

"3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."

We’re exploring King David, a man after God’s heart, known for his faith and achievements. Comfortable in his royalty, David may have ignored counsel or the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Yet God sent Nathan to reach him with a parable.

Nathan’s story of a cherished pet lamb, common in those days, pierced David’s heart. The lamb, bought and nurtured by the poor man, lived as family—eating his food, drinking from his cup, and sleeping in his arms, like a daughter. This highlights the deep bond between the poor man and his only lamb.

In verse 4, Nathan describes the rich man’s cruelty: instead of using his own abundant flock to feed a traveler, he took the poor man’s sole lamb. This injustice, stealing a beloved companion, evokes pity for the poor man and outrage at the rich man’s selfishness.