Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 24

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 24:1, David, tempted by Satan, forces Joab to number the people; 2 Samuel 24:5, The captains, in nine months and twenty days, bring the muster of thirteen hundred thousand fighting men; 2 Samuel 24:10, David repents, and having three plagues propounded by God, chooses the three days’ pestilence; 2 Samuel 24:15, After the death of three score and ten thousand, David by prayer prevents the destruction of Jerusalem; 2 Samuel 24:18, David, by God’s direction, purchases Araunah’s threshing floor; where having sacrificed, the plague stays.

Verse 1

am 2987, bc 1017, An, Ex, Is, 474

again: 2 Samuel 21:1-14

he: This verse, when read without reference to any other part of the word of God, is very difficult to understand, and has been used by those who desire to undermine the justice of God, to shew that he sought occasion to punish - that he incited David to sin; and when he had so incited him, gave to him the dreadful alternative of choosing one of three scourges by which his people were to be cut off. On the face of the passage these thoughts naturally arise, because "the Lord" is the antecedent to the pronoun "he," - He moved David. But to those who "search the Scriptures," this exceedingly difficult passage receives a wonderful elucidation. By referring to 1 Chronicles 21:1, the reader will there find that Satan was the mover, and that the Lord most righteously punished David for the display of pride he had manifested. Oh! that Christians, who sometimes have their minds harassed with doubts, would remember the promise, that what they know not now they shall know hereafter; and if no other instance of elucidation than this passage occurred to them to remove their doubts, let this be a means of stirring them up to dig deeper than ever into the inexhaustible mines of the Inspired Word. James 1:13, James 1:14

moved: 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 16:10, Genesis 45:5, Genesis 50:20, Exodus 7:3, 1 Samuel 26:19, 1 Kings 22:20-23, Ezekiel 14:9, Ezekiel 20:25, Acts 4:28, 2 Thessalonians 2:11

number: 1 Chronicles 27:23, 1 Chronicles 27:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:1 - God Exodus 30:12 - takest Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Numbers 1:2 - Take ye the sum Numbers 1:19 - General Numbers 14:12 - smite Numbers 16:22 - one man sin Joshua 7:1 - the anger Joshua 22:18 - he will be 1 Kings 11:14 - the Lord 1 Kings 12:15 - the cause 2 Kings 3:6 - numbered 1 Chronicles 5:26 - stirred up 1 Chronicles 7:2 - whose number 1 Chronicles 7:40 - the number 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote 1 Chronicles 21:17 - what have 2 Chronicles 21:16 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 24:18 - wrath 2 Chronicles 32:25 - General Jeremiah 52:3 - through

Verse 2

Joab: 2 Samuel 2:13, 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 20:23, 2 Samuel 23:37

Go now: etc. or, Compass now all, 1 Chronicles 21:2

from Dan: 2 Samuel 3:10, 2 Samuel 17:11, Judges 20:1

and number: We know not in what the sinfulness of this action consisted. Some think it was a contempt of the promise that the Israelites should be innumerable, and that they ought not to have been numbered without an express command, as in the days of Moses. Others suppose with Josephus that it was a kind of sacrilege, in omitting to collect the half-shekel a-piece for the use of the sanctuary. It however would appear that pride and ambition, and a desire of conquest, induced David to this measure, and rendered it so displeasing to God.

that I may: Deuteronomy 8:13, Deuteronomy 8:14, 2 Chronicles 32:25, 2 Chronicles 32:26, 2 Chronicles 32:31, Proverbs 29:23, Jeremiah 17:5, 2 Corinthians 12:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:12 - no plague 2 Samuel 24:7 - to Beersheba 2 Samuel 24:15 - from Dan Ezekiel 48:1 - Dan

Verse 3

2 Samuel 10:12, 1 Chronicles 21:3, 1 Chronicles 21:4, Psalms 115:14, Proverbs 14:28, Isaiah 60:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:11 - make you 2 Samuel 24:21 - Wherefore 1 Kings 1:37 - and make 1 Kings 1:48 - mine eyes 2 Chronicles 24:6 - Why hast thou Jonah 1:10 - Why

Verse 4

the king's: 1 Chronicles 21:4, Ecclesiastes 8:4

went out: Exodus 1:17, Acts 5:29

Verse 5

Aroer: Deuteronomy 2:36, Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16, 1 Samuel 30:28, Isaiah 17:2

river: or, valley

Jazer: Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:3, Numbers 32:35, Isaiah 16:8, Isaiah 16:9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:16 - Reubenites Jeremiah 48:19 - Aroer

Verse 6

Gilead: Genesis 31:21, Genesis 31:47, Genesis 31:48, Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:39

land of Tahtimhodshi: or, nether land newly inhabited, Dan-jaan. Joshua 19:47, Judges 18:29

Zidon: Genesis 10:15, Joshua 11:8, Joshua 19:28, Judges 18:28

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 5:10 - the Hagarites

Verse 7

Tyre: Joshua 19:29

to Beersheba: 2 Samuel 24:2, Genesis 21:31-33

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:1 - the south Zechariah 9:3 - build

Verse 9

eight hundred thousand: 1 Chronicles 21:5, 1 Chronicles 21:6, 1 Chronicles 27:23, 1 Chronicles 27:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand Numbers 1:3 - able Numbers 1:26 - General Numbers 1:27 - General Numbers 1:46 - General Judges 20:2 - drew sword 1 Samuel 11:8 - the children

Verse 10

David's heart: 1 Samuel 24:5, John 8:9, 1 John 3:20, 1 John 3:21

I have sinned: 2 Samuel 12:13, 1 Chronicles 21:8, 2 Chronicles 32:26, Job 33:27, Job 33:28, Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Micah 7:8, Micah 7:9, 1 John 1:9

take away: Job 7:21, Hosea 14:2, John 1:29

foolishly: 2 Samuel 12:13, Deuteronomy 32:6, 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 26:21, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Mark 7:22, Titus 3:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned Numbers 12:11 - lay not Judges 10:15 - We have sinned 2 Samuel 24:17 - I have sinned 2 Chronicles 16:10 - wroth 2 Chronicles 32:25 - General Job 2:10 - as one Job 40:4 - Behold Jeremiah 14:20 - for Habakkuk 3:2 - in wrath Mark 14:72 - Peter Ephesians 5:15 - not Hebrews 9:26 - he appeared

Verse 11

Gad: 1 Samuel 22:5, 1 Chronicles 2:19, 1 Chronicles 29:29

seer: 1 Samuel 9:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 2 Samuel 12:1 - the Lord 2 Samuel 15:27 - a seer 2 Samuel 20:26 - chief ruler 2 Samuel 24:18 - Gad 1 Chronicles 21:9 - Gad 2 Chronicles 29:25 - Gad Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jonah 1:11 - What

Verse 12

I offer: 1 Chronicles 21:10, 1 Chronicles 21:11

that I may: 2 Samuel 12:9, 2 Samuel 12:10, 2 Samuel 12:14, Leviticus 26:41, Leviticus 26:43, Job 5:17, Job 5:18, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6-10, Revelation 3:19

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:12 - smite Judges 3:20 - I have Jeremiah 22:1 - Go

Verse 13

seven: 2 Samuel 21:1, Leviticus 26:20, 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Chronicles 21:12, Ezekiel 14:13, Ezekiel 14:21, Luke 4:25

flee: Leviticus 26:17, Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 28:52

three days': Leviticus 26:16, Leviticus 26:25, Deuteronomy 28:22, Deuteronomy 28:27, Deuteronomy 28:35, Psalms 91:6, Ezekiel 14:19-21

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:30 - seven years Exodus 7:25 - General 1 Samuel 25:12 - came 2 Samuel 23:39 - thirty and seven in all 1 Kings 8:35 - heaven 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed 2 Kings 8:1 - seven years 2 Chronicles 7:13 - I send John 1:22 - that

Verse 14

I am in: 1 Samuel 13:6, 2 Kings 6:15, John 12:27, Philippians 1:23

for his: Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7, 1 Chronicles 21:13, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 103:8-14, Psalms 119:156, Psalms 145:9, Isaiah 55:7, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18

great: or, many

let me not: 2 Kings 13:3-7, 2 Chronicles 28:5-9, Psalms 106:41, Psalms 106:42, Proverbs 12:10, Isaiah 47:6, Zechariah 1:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:25 - we are Judges 10:15 - deliver 2 Samuel 24:25 - So the Lord 1 Kings 20:6 - and they shall search 1 Chronicles 21:12 - Now therefore 2 Chronicles 12:5 - left you Proverbs 6:3 - when Jeremiah 39:17 - of whom Ezekiel 23:24 - I will set Luke 9:44 - into

Verse 15

the Lord: Numbers 16:46-49, Numbers 25:9, 1 Samuel 6:19, 1 Chronicles 21:14, 1 Chronicles 27:4, Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:8

from Dan: 2 Samuel 24:2

seventy thousand men: Isaiah 37:36

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Leviticus 26:25 - I will send Deuteronomy 28:21 - General 1 Kings 4:25 - from Dan 1 Chronicles 21:2 - Beersheba Psalms 91:3 - and from Psalms 91:6 - destruction Ezekiel 14:19 - if I

Verse 16

the angel: Exodus 12:23, 2 Kings 19:35, 1 Chronicles 21:15, 1 Chronicles 21:16, 2 Chronicles 32:21, Psalms 35:6, Acts 12:23

repented: Genesis 6:6, 1 Samuel 15:11, Psalms 78:38, Psalms 90:13, Psalms 135:14, Jeremiah 18:7-10, Joel 2:13, Joel 2:14, Amos 7:3, Amos 7:6, Habakkuk 3:2

It is enough: Exodus 9:28, 1 Kings 19:4, Isaiah 27:8, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah 57:16, Joel 2:13, Joel 2:14, Mark 14:41, 2 Corinthians 2:6

Araunah: 2 Samuel 24:18, 1 Chronicles 21:15, 2 Chronicles 3:1, Ornan

the Jebusite: 2 Samuel 5:8, Genesis 10:16, Joshua 15:63, Judges 1:21, Judges 19:11, Zechariah 9:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:14 - General Numbers 16:48 - General Joshua 11:3 - the Jebusite 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Jebusite 1 Chronicles 21:27 - the Lord Job 33:22 - his life Psalms 106:45 - repented Proverbs 29:8 - wise Isaiah 37:36 - the angel Jeremiah 26:19 - and the Lord Jeremiah 42:10 - for I Hosea 11:8 - Mine 1 Corinthians 10:10 - destroyer

Verse 17

spake: 1 Chronicles 21:16, 1 Chronicles 21:17

I have sinned: 2 Samuel 24:10, Job 7:20, Job 42:6, Psalms 51:2-5, Isaiah 6:5

these sheep: 1 Kings 22:17, Psalms 44:11, Psalms 74:1, Ezekiel 34:2-6, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 34:24, Zechariah 13:7

let thine: Genesis 44:33, John 10:11, John 10:12, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 2:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:23 - Wilt Genesis 20:7 - pray Genesis 38:26 - She hath Numbers 16:22 - one man sin Numbers 16:48 - General Job 19:4 - mine Proverbs 29:8 - wise Jonah 1:12 - Take Micah 7:9 - bear Acts 12:23 - the angel Acts 26:31 - This man Philippians 2:26 - ye had

Verse 18

Gad: 2 Samuel 24:11, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30, threshing floor, These, among the ancient Jews, were only round, level plats of ground in the open air, as they are to this day in the East, where the corn was trodden out by oxen.

Araunah: Heb. Araniah, 2 Samuel 24:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:16 - Jebusite Exodus 27:1 - altar of shittim wood Judges 6:26 - build Judges 21:4 - built there 1 Samuel 6:14 - offered 2 Samuel 24:21 - Wherefore 1 Chronicles 21:15 - Ornan 1 Chronicles 21:21 - bowed himself 1 Chronicles 22:1 - This is the house 2 Chronicles 3:1 - Ornan

Verse 19

as the Lord: Genesis 6:22, 1 Chronicles 21:19, 2 Chronicles 20:20, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 9:26, Hebrews 11:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:27 - seven years of famine

Verse 20

bowed: 2 Samuel 9:8, Genesis 18:2, Ruth 2:10, 1 Chronicles 21:20, 1 Chronicles 21:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:11 - my lord

Verse 21

Wherefore: 2 Samuel 24:3, 2 Samuel 24:18

To buy: Genesis 23:8-16, 1 Chronicles 21:22, Jeremiah 32:6-14

the plague: 2 Samuel 21:3-14, Numbers 16:47-50, Numbers 25:8, Psalms 106:30

Verse 22

Let my lord: Genesis 23:11, 1 Chronicles 21:22

be oxen: 1 Samuel 6:14, 1 Kings 19:21

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 21:23 - Take it

Verse 23

as a king: Psalms 45:16, Isaiah 32:8

The Lord: Job 42:8, Job 42:9, Psalms 20:3, Psalms 20:4, Isaiah 60:7, Ezekiel 20:40, Ezekiel 20:41, Hosea 8:13, Romans 15:30, Romans 15:31, 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 2:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Deuteronomy 33:11 - accept 1 Chronicles 21:23 - Take it

Verse 24

Nay: Genesis 23:13, 1 Chronicles 21:24, Malachi 1:12-14, Romans 12:17

So David: 1 Chronicles 21:25, 1 Chronicles 22:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:20 - were Exodus 34:20 - none

Verse 25

built there: Genesis 8:20, Genesis 22:9, 1 Samuel 7:9, 1 Samuel 7:17

So the Lord: 2 Samuel 24:14, 2 Samuel 21:14, 1 Chronicles 21:26, 1 Chronicles 21:27, Lamentations 3:32, Lamentations 3:33

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:8 - that offereth Numbers 16:48 - General Numbers 25:8 - So the plague Judges 21:4 - built there 1 Samuel 6:14 - offered 1 Chronicles 21:25 - General