Hospitality was a vital way of showing honor to guests in the world of the

Bible. It was expected that a host would do their best to serve and care for

visitors, especially when it came to food and shelter. This standard was

rooted in God’s own character. The children of Israel were instructed to

remember how God had provided for them during their time in Egyptian

exile and, in turn, to treat the “strangers” among them as honored guests

(Leviticus 19:34).

(2 Samuel 12:3, ESV)

In this verse, the poor man’s relationship with his one little female lamb

is described in deeply personal and emotional terms. The lamb was not

just livestock—it was like a member of the family. It grew up with him

and with his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and even lay

in his arms. The lamb was like a daughter to him.

This description is more than just a touching image—it’s part of Nathan’s

parable designed to awaken David’s conscience.

On more than one occasion, Jesus said, “You always have the poor with

you” (Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8). Throughout Scripture, we

see God’s consistent concern for those who are less fortunate. He built

debt-forgiveness into the Hebrew calendar (Deuteronomy 15:1–11). He

ensured that gleanings from the fields were left for the poor

(Deuteronomy 24:19–21). He cared for the widow and the orphan (Psalm

68:5). God deeply valued the vulnerable and expected His people to be

generous toward them.

Readers of 2 Samuel 12 have not forgotten David’s shameful actions. In

the previous chapter, King David forsook the soldiers under his command

(11:1), lusted after a married woman (11:2–3), committed adultery with

Bathsheba (11:4–5), and ordered Uriah, her husband, to be killed before

marrying her himself (11:6–27). What a scandal!

The powerful king did whatever he wanted and, based on the events

described in 2 Samuel 11:26–27, lived for nearly a year without any

obvious consequences.

Years ago, a man named Mark M. Jones asked this question in song. It

echoes Romans 14:12, “So then everyone of us shall give an account of

himself to God.” The words to the song are as follows:

Verse 1: Someday you’ll stand at the bar on high, someday your

record you’ll see; someday you’ll answer the question of life, what

will your answer be?

Our text today takes us again to the parable of the bridegroom and

the banquet. When we left the Biblical account yesterday, we saw

that the king was enraged that his guests arrived at the banquet

improperly dressed. In verse 12, one man was asked why he came to

the banquet dressed incorrectly. The man did not have an answer.

The king had the man bound hand and foot and cast into the street

during the night! That must have been frightening.

Have you ever attended a party or a special dinner and found

yourself “underdressed” or even “overdressed?” There is an old

saying, “The clothes make the man.” The formality of the occasion

determines the style of dress one is expected to wear. The right

clothes honor the host or hostess of the function. Dressing sloppily

is an insult to the host. I want to please God, don’t you?

Have you ever received an invitation in the mail and, after reading

the complete invitation you saw these small letters at the end—

R.S.V.P.? Many in our busy culture do not pay attention to those

small letters, but they are very important. The letters are from the

French language, and mean: “répondez s’il vous plaît.” This directly

translates to, “Respond, if you please.” The acronym is often used

to confirm attendance at an event, such as a wedding, birthday

party or baby shower. If a R.S.V.P. is requested, good manners

dictate that you answer or give your regrets that you cannot attend.