1. A Hebrew prophet, Zechariah 12:12; a friend and counselor of David. He approved the king’s purpose of building a temple to the lord, but by divine direction transferred this accomplishment to Solomon, 2 Samuel 7:1-17. By a fine parable, pointedly applied, he convicted David of his guilt in respect to Uriah and Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 12:1-31 Psalms 51:1-19; and his bold fidelity here seems to have been appreciated by David, see NATHAN 2, and is worthy of everlasting remembrance. Solomon was probably educated under his care, 2 Samuel 12:25; and was effectually aided by him in his peaceful succession to the throne, 1 Kings 1.1-53. He wrote some memorials, long since lost, of both David and Solomon, 1 Chronicles 29:29 2 Chronicles 9:29. How long he lived under the reign of Solomon is unknown; but two of his sons were high officers at court, 1 Kings 4:5.

2. A son of David, by Bathsheba, 1 Chronicles 3:5 14:4; an ancestor of Christ, Luke 3:21. See GENEALOGY.

Given. A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:29). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple (2 Samuel 7:2,3,17), and next appears as the reprover of David on account of his sin with Bathsheba (12:1-14). He was charged with the education of (Solomon 12:25), at whose inauguration to the throne he took a prominent part (1 Kings 1:8,10,11,22-45). His two sons, Zabad (1 Chronicles 2:36) and Azariah (1 Kings 4:5) occupied places of honour at the king's court. He last appears in assisting David in reorganizing the public worship (2 Chronicles 29:25). He seems to have written a life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2Chr 9:29).

A son of David, by Bathsheba (2 Samuel 5:14), whose name appears in the genealogy of Mary, the mother of our Lord (Luke 3:31).

Ezra 8:16.

(a giver ). An eminent Hebrew prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon. (B.C. 1015.) He first appears in the consultation with David about the building of the temple. (2 Samuel 7:2,3,17) He next comes forward as the reprover of David for the sin with Bathsheba; and his famous apologue on the rich man and the ewe lamb, which is the only direct example of his prophetic power, shows it to have been of a very high order. (2 Samuel 12:1-12) A son of David; one of the four who were borne to him by Bathsheba. (1 Chronicles 3:5) comp, 1Chr 14:4 and 2Sam 5:14 Son or brother of one of the members of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:36; 1 Chronicles 11:38) One of the head men who returned from Babylon with Ezra on his second expedition. (Ezra 8:16) 1 Esdr. 8:44. It is not impossible that he may be the same with the "son of Bani." (Ezra 10:39)