English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
2 Samuel 12:4 — English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
“When a traveler arrived at the rich man’s home, he did not want to use one of his own sheep or cattle to feed the traveler who had come to visit him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and cooked it for the man who had come to visit him.”
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a rich man who, instead of using his own resources to help a traveler, took a lamb from a poor neighbor to cook for the traveler. It highlights the injustice and selfishness of the rich man’s actions.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a big box of toys, and your friend comes over. Instead of sharing your toys, you take a toy from your little sister to give to your friend. This story is about a rich man who did something similar and it's not nice.
Historical Background
2 Samuel was written by the prophet Nathan, among others, around 900 B.C. The audience was the Israelites, and it reflects a time when social justice was a critical issue, especially in how the rich treated the poor.
Living It Out Today
Today, we can think about a situation where a wealthy person uses the resources of a less fortunate person to benefit themselves, like taking a poor neighbor's food to host a party. This verse reminds us to be fair and considerate.
