Faithful Service Does Not Demand Recognition

A Season Of Stories

1 Kings 1:22-37

Thesis: Nathan is a prophet that we don’t know much about, but what we do see is his faithfulness to God as His spokesman, faithfulness to David as his servant, and his faithfulness to uphold the Davidic covenant through Solomon.

The Bible is a beautiful story, filled with beautiful stories, and all of these beautiful stories are… (TRUE!)

Previous Messages

The Need for the Gospel - Gen. 3

God’s Power On Display - Exodus 12 (the last plague)

The Strength Of Commitment - Judges 13 - Samson

Gaps

Around 100 years have passed between Samson and Nathan

Samson was the last judge

After Samson the leadership was through prophets that were raised up, beginning with Samuel

Dedicated to God from birth by his mother Hannah (Eli was the priest)

Three calls from God’s voice

Lead Israel back to God and warned them about their growing demand for a king

Bridged the gap between the time of the judges and the monarchy (anointed Saul and David)

Saul was a king in looks only, was ultimately disobedient to God (began well)

David and Jonathan

David becomes king

Man after God’s own heart

Slays Goliath as a young boy (around 13-17)

Passed by where Samson lived on the way to fight the Philistines

Imagine what could have happened if Samson was faithful…

Faithful king in the beginning

Brings back the ark of the covenant

Leads in battle

Downfall

Begins to skip temple and sacrifices

Stays in his palace (no battle, no people)

Affair with Bathsheba

Kills Uriah

Introduction

What do you want people to know about you…?

What if no one ever knows anything about you… Is that enough for you…?

Is it enough that Jesus knows everything about you…?

Nathan’s role:

We don’t know a lot about Nathan

Unknowns

What country he’s from, when exactly he began to prophesy

First time he is seen in Scripture is in 2 Sam. 7 when David desires to build a temple for God

Communicate the word of God to King David

“Nathan functioned as a prophet in King David’s court whose oracles and political involvement shaped Israel’s history” in three major ways (Logos Study Assistant, The Lexham Bible Dictionary)

The Davidic Covenant

David proposed building a temple for God to dwell in and Nathan was initially on board with it until he received a word from the Lord that God would not use David to build the temple but instead to establish his kingdom forever (Messianic - fulfilled in Jesus)

This prophecy would be foundational to Israel’s expectations of the Messiah

Part of why they expected Jesus to come as a conquering king rather than a humble baby

Confronting The King (most known for)

Murder of Uriah, affair with Bathsheba -> loss of child due to illness (2 Sam. 12)

Solomon born to David and Bathsheba

Securing Solomon’s Succession

Nathan worked with Bathsheba to protect Solomon from Adonijah who would try to forcibly take the throne (Absalom tried first but was killed in the process) - God used Nathan to protect him for what God wanted to use him for

Nathan named him Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:24-25)

Body

Adonijah was secretly and incorrectly made king…

Nathan and Bathsheba asked David to honor is vow before the Lord for Solomon to become the next king

Conclusion

Nathan’s faithfulness to God did not need a lot of detail in Scripture, but God and Nathan know what his life was like. We have the evidence of his obedience, but God knows the details of his story…

He Upheld His Calling

Faithful prophet

He Upheld His King

Faithful in biblical accountability

He Upheld God’s Command

Faithful in assuring obedience of God’s word

Nathan never puffed himself up…

We may only see the evidence of each other’s obedience, but only God knows the full details of your story…

Announcements

YA Choir Sunday night - singing with adults and orchestra (YA praise team)

5:15pm practice

Dinner next week - 6:30pm