2 Samuel 12 25

2 Samuel 12:25 kjv

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:25 nkjv

and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:25 niv

and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

2 Samuel 12:25 esv

and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:25 nlt

and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means "beloved of the LORD"), as the LORD had commanded.

2 Samuel 12 verses

2 Samuel 12 25 Meaning

This verse reveals a significant act of divine favor. After the death of their first child, born from David's sin with Bathsheba, God intervened through the prophet Nathan to specifically name their second son, Solomon, "Jedidiah." This name, meaning "Beloved of the Lord," underscored God's special affection and choice for this child, signaling the Lord's continued covenant faithfulness and purpose for David's dynasty despite past transgression. It marked a new beginning and confirmed God's plan for Solomon's future reign and the building of the Temple.

2 Samuel 12 25 Context

This verse occurs immediately following the profound period of judgment and grace in David's life. In 2 Samuel chapter 11, David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. In chapter 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David with a parable, leading David to acknowledge his sin and confess to the Lord. God, in His mercy, forgives David, but not without consequence: the child born of the adulterous union dies (2 Sam 12:14-18). David responds with humility and worship. Immediately after the mourning period, Bathsheba conceives again and bears a second son, whom David names Solomon. However, it is in 2 Samuel 12:25 that God directly intervenes through Nathan to bestow the special name Jedidiah upon Solomon, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and continued faithfulness to the Davidic covenant, despite the preceding tragedy and sin. This pivotal moment signifies divine approval and the renewed hope for David's royal line, highlighting God's power to redeem and establish His purposes.

2 Samuel 12 25 Word analysis

• And he sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח - vayyishlach): The verb "to send" denotes an action initiated, implying a divine sender. In this context, it signifies God's direct involvement and intention to communicate. The action emphasizes divine initiative.
• by the hand of Nathan the prophet (בְּיַד נָתָן הַנָּבִיא - b'yad Natan hannavi): "By the hand of" indicates instrumentality and agency. Nathan (נָתָן - Natan, "He gave" or "gift of God") functions as God's trusted and authoritative messenger. His role as a "prophet" (נָבִיא - navi) highlights the divine origin of the message. Nathan, who previously delivered the covenant promises to David and then courageously pronounced judgment, now delivers a message of special favor. This highlights God's consistency in communicating through His chosen servant.
• and he called his name (וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ - vayyiqra et-shmo): While David named his son Solomon, this distinct act of naming by God ("he called") through Nathan carries supreme authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the act of naming often signified authority, ownership, and revelation of destiny. This naming is not merely human but divine, emphasizing God's sovereign choice.
• Jedidiah (יְדִידְיָהּ - Yedidyah): This is a compound Hebrew name. "Yedid" (יְדִיד) means "beloved" or "friend," and "Yah" (יָהּ) is a shortened form of YHWH, the personal name of God (often rendered "Lord"). Thus, "Jedidiah" means "Beloved of the Lord" or "Beloved of Yah." This name conveys a deep, special affection from God directly. It suggests that Solomon's favored status is not due to any human merit, but entirely to God's gratuitous love and sovereign choice. It set him apart from the first child, emphasizing God's unique purpose for him.
• because of the Lord (בַּעֲבוּר יְהוָה - ba'avur YHWH): This phrase explicitly states the reason for the special name "Jedidiah" and the accompanying divine favor: it is solely "because of the Lord"—His nature, His will, His steadfast love, and His covenant purposes. This emphasizes that the blessing is entirely God's initiative and grace, independent of David or Bathsheba's past actions. It underscores divine purpose and commitment.

Words-group analysis

• "sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet": This phrase underscores God's active involvement and communication through an authorized messenger. Nathan's role here reinforces his vital function as God's faithful mouthpiece to David, ensuring that the message of Jedidiah's divine favor is understood as a direct revelation from God, not a mere human sentiment or hope.
• "he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord": This phrase encapsulates the verse's central message. The divine naming of "Jedidiah" signifies a deep, personal relationship of favor between God and Solomon. It highlights that Solomon's chosen status and blessed future are directly and unilaterally rooted in God's will and affection ("because of the Lord"), not dependent on human circumstances or past failures. This divine initiative overrides any previous sorrow and signals a future of divine purpose and blessing.

2 Samuel 12 25 Bonus section

• While David named the child "Solomon" (שְׁלֹמֹה - Shelomo, meaning "peaceful" or "peace"), possibly expressing his desire for peace after a period of conflict, God's independent naming of him as "Jedidiah" reveals an even deeper, more personal dimension of divine relationship. Solomon received both a public name reflecting societal hope and a private, prophetic name indicating God's special, enduring love.
• The contrast between the death of the first child, a consequence of sin, and the divine blessing upon the second child, Jedidiah, serves as a powerful illustration of God's restorative grace. It teaches that judgment for sin does not preclude God's ongoing, faithful love and pursuit of His covenant purposes with a penitent heart.
• The fact that God directly intervenes to name this child emphasizes that God Himself is actively involved in His covenant plans. His grace is not passive; it is an intentional, personal intervention, setting Solomon apart and earmarking him for his crucial role in Israel's history. This reinforces divine sovereignty over all circumstances.

2 Samuel 12 25 Commentary

2 Samuel 12:25 is a profound display of God's redemptive grace and unswerving covenant faithfulness. In the immediate aftermath of David's grievous sin, the subsequent judgment, and the death of his first child with Bathsheba, the birth of Solomon and his divinely appointed name "Jedidiah" mark a new chapter of divine favor. This unique name, "Beloved of the Lord," given by God through Nathan the prophet, signifies God's deep affection and special election for Solomon, transcending the dark shadow of his parents' past. It assures David of the continuity of God's promises concerning his dynasty (2 Sam 7) and establishes Solomon as the chosen successor and temple builder. This verse demonstrates that while God punishes sin, His mercy endures, and His eternal purposes of grace are unwavering, pointing towards the ultimate "Beloved Son" in Christ. It teaches that even out of brokenness and divine discipline, God's love and redemptive plan prevail.