Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in open daylight.’ ”
Parallel translations
- WEB For you did this secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’”
- KJV For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
- BSB You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”
- NKJV For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”
- NLT You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David sinned secretly, but God will bring the consequence openly before all Israel. Hidden sin meets public reckoning.
Overview
The LORD contrasts David's concealment with the public exposure to come, underscoring that nothing is hidden from God. What was done in darkness will be answered in broad daylight. The principle stands as a sober warning that secret sins are fully known to God and may be brought to light.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Sam 16:22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
- Luke 12:1–2Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
- Eccl 12:14For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
- 2 Sam 11:4–15David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned to her house.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 12:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.