The correct option is
B. David's son by Bathsheba died.
Detailed Explanation:
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Context of the Question: The question refers to a significant event in the life of King David as recorded in the Bible, specifically in 2 Samuel 11-12. David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and subsequently arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle to cover up the sin. This act displeased God, leading to divine punishment.
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Immediate Punishment: After David's sin was revealed by the prophet Nathan, God pronounced judgment on David. The immediate consequence of David's actions was the death of the child born to him and Bathsheba. This is explicitly stated in 2 Samuel 12:14-15, where Nathan tells David that because of his actions, the child will die. This punishment serves as a direct consequence of David's sin and highlights the seriousness of his actions.
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Why Option B is Correct:
- The death of David's son is a direct and immediate punishment from God for David's sin. It illustrates the principle of divine justice and the consequences of sin. The narrative emphasizes that while David was forgiven, there were still earthly consequences for his actions.
- This event is pivotal in understanding the themes of sin, repentance, and the consequences of actions in the biblical narrative.
Analysis of Other Options:
- Option A: God sent Nathan to him:
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While it is true that God sent Nathan to confront David about his sin, this action is not a punishment but rather a means of bringing David to repentance. Nathan's role was to reveal David's wrongdoing and call him to accountability. Therefore, this option does not represent an immediate punishment but rather a step towards David's realization of his sin.
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Option C: Absalom conspired against him:
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Absalom's conspiracy against David occurred later in David's life and was a consequence of the turmoil that arose from David's earlier sins, including his actions with Bathsheba. However, this is not the immediate punishment for the sin of taking Uriah's wife. It reflects the long-term consequences of David's actions but is not the direct punishment that God imposed immediately after the sin.
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Option D: Solomon built the Temple in his place:
- This option is incorrect as it does not relate to punishment at all. Solomon building the Temple is a significant event in biblical history, but it is not a consequence of David's sin with Bathsheba. In fact, God did not allow David to build the Temple because of the bloodshed associated with his reign (1 Chronicles 22:8). This option is unrelated to the immediate punishment for David's actions.
Summary of Key Points:
- The immediate punishment for David's sin of taking Uriah's wife was the death of his son by Bathsheba.
- Nathan's confrontation was a call to repentance, not a punishment.
- Absalom's rebellion and Solomon building the Temple are later events and not direct punishments for David's sin.
- Understanding the consequences of sin is a central theme in the narrative of David's life and highlights the seriousness of moral failings in biblical teachings.