1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
The book of 2 Samuel is the second part of the historical narrative of Israel's monarchy, which begins with the reign of King David. Chapter 24 is the final chapter of this book and it tells the story of an event that occurred towards the end of David's reign. This chapter is divided into three main sections: David's sin and its consequences, the census of Israel, and David's repentance and God's mercy. The main themes of this chapter include the consequences of disobedience, the sovereignty of God, and the importance of repentance and forgiveness.
The chapter begins by stating that the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and He incited David to take a census of the people. This may seem confusing as taking a census was a common practice in ancient times. However, in this context, it was seen as a sign of pride and a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, it is stated that Satan incited David to take the census, which shows that God allowed Satan to tempt David as a punishment for his sin.
David's commander, Joab, warns him against taking the census, but David insists on proceeding with it. The census takes nine months and twenty days to complete and records a total of 800,000 men who could handle a sword and 500,000 men from Judah. This census does not include the Levites, who were not counted because they were dedicated to the service of the Lord.
After the census is completed, David's heart is struck with guilt, and he confesses to the Lord, saying, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing." (2 Samuel 24:10) This shows that David realizes his mistake and is willing to take responsibility for it.
God sends the prophet Gad to David to give him three options for punishment for his sin: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses the plague, saying, "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." (2 Samuel 24:14) This shows that David trusts in God's mercy and knows that He is a just and loving God.
The Lord sends a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 men die. The angel of the Lord stands over Jerusalem, ready to destroy it, but God sees the suffering of His people and commands the angel to stop. David sees the angel and pleads with God, saying, "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family." (2 Samuel 24:17) This shows David's humility and willingness to take responsibility for his actions.
God commands David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and David does so. Araunah offers to give David everything he needs for the altar, but David refuses to offer a sacrifice that does not cost him anything. He buys the threshing floor and sacrifices burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord hears David's prayer and stops the plague, showing His mercy and forgiveness.
The final section of this chapter focuses on David's repentance and God's mercy. The prophet Gad instructs David to go up to the threshing floor of Araunah and build an altar to the Lord. David does as he is told, and Araunah offers to give him everything he needs for the sacrifice. However, David insists on paying for it, saying, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24) This shows that David understands the importance of repentance and the need for sacrifice.
David's repentance and sacrifice are accepted by God, and He answers his prayers by stopping the plague. The chapter ends with David building an altar and offering burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord answers his prayers by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, showing His acceptance and forgiveness.
There are several key themes and lessons that can be drawn from this chapter. The first theme is the consequences of disobedience. David's decision to take a census was a sign of pride and a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. As a result, he and his people suffered the consequences of his actions. This serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences and that disobedience towards God can lead to suffering and destruction.
The second theme is the sovereignty of God. Despite Satan's attempts to tempt David, it was ultimately God who allowed it and used it as a punishment for David's sin. This shows that God is in control of all things and that He can use even our mistakes and failures for His purposes.
The third theme is the importance of repentance and forgiveness. David's immediate confession and repentance for his sin show that he understood the gravity of his actions. His willingness to take responsibility and his humility in asking for forgiveness from God serve as an example for all of us. God's mercy and forgiveness are also highlighted in this chapter, as He stops the plague and accepts David's sacrifice, showing that He is a God of love and mercy.
Another important lesson from this chapter is the importance of sacrifice. David's refusal to offer a sacrifice that did not cost him anything shows that he understood the need for true repentance. Sacrifice involves giving up something of value to us, and in this case, it symbolizes the giving up of our pride and selfish desires in order to fully surrender to God.
Overall, 2 Samuel Chapter 24 serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the sovereignty of God, the importance of repentance and forgiveness, and the need for sacrifice in our relationship with God. It also shows us that even in our failures and mistakes, God is a loving and merciful God who is always ready to forgive us when we come to Him with a repentant heart.
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