Nathan

Nathan was the court prophet during the reigns of David and early Solomon, and one of the most consequential voices in the Old Testament despite having no book of prophecy named for him. He was the vehicle for the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7): when David told Nathan he wanted to build God a temple, Nathan initially agreed, then received a different word from God overnight — David would not build the house; his son would. But God would establish David's line and throne forever. This promise becomes the foundation of all Messianic expectation in the Hebrew scriptures.

Nathan also demonstrated the rarest kind of courage — speaking truth to the most powerful person in the room. When David had sinned with Bathsheba and arranged Uriah's death, Nathan came to him with a story about a rich man who stole a poor man's only lamb. David burned with anger at the injustice. Nathan said: "You are the man." David confessed immediately. Later, when the dying David's servant Adonijah made a bid for the throne, Nathan worked with Bathsheba to bring the matter before David, ensuring Solomon was anointed and proclaimed king at Gihon. Nathan was present at the coronation — he anointed Solomon himself.