When Uriah was killed, it looked as if David's ruthlessness had succeeded, but there still remained one person at court who was not cowed by David's crown. The prophet Nathan had already spoken bluntly to dissuade David from building a temple in Jersualem, but that task was easy compared to calling the king an adulterer and murderer. Nathan began by telling the king about an injustice that had taken place in Israel. A rich man who had everything had stolen his poor neighbor's only precious possession -- a ewe lamb. David, who served as both king and judge over Israel, was outraged. "The man who did this deserves to die!" he cried. Nathan looked into David's eyes and coolly replied, "You are the man."