2 Samuel 12:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →To feed a traveller, the rich man spares his own flocks and seizes the poor man's one lamb instead.
What Does 2 Samuel 12:4 Mean?
A traveller arrives, and hospitality requires a meal. The rich man, unwilling to touch his own vast herds, takes the poor man's single lamb. The crime is not need but greed: he had everything and still reached for the one thing his neighbor had.
Sin often begins as a guest, a small appetite indulged. The rich man could have given from his abundance; instead he consumed what was not his. The story exposes how the strong can devour the weak and feel little, until a true word names the deed for what it is.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 12:4
What does 2 Samuel 12:4 mean?
To feed a traveller, the rich man spares his own flocks and seizes the poor man's one lamb instead.