86 THE LAW ON ADULTERY.

 

and nourished up, and it grew up together with him and
with his children; it did eat of his own meat and drank
of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him
as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich
man, and he spared to take of his 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. And David's anger was
greatly kindled against the man ; and he said to Nathan,
as the Lord liveth the man that hath done this thing shall
surely die, and he shall restore the lamb four-fold, because
he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And
Nathan said to David, ‘Thou art the man.’”

The king seems sad and confused, as we see him
in the picture, for he knows he has condemned himself.
He had great riches and many wives, yet, when he saw
this beautiful woman, he lusted after her and would rob
this poor man of all he had, and take his life that he
might have her. In doing this he broke the seventh com-
mandment, which says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
And again, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after
her hath committed adultery with her already in his
heart.”

Did David’s sin go unpunished? No; God sent
many and grievous afflictions upon him. Even his own
son sought to take his throne. It does not pay to break.
one of God’s commandments.