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2 Samuel 24 David's Last Words

1 David Counts the Fighting Men
Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

5 After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer.

6 They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon.

7 Then they went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to Beersheba in the Negev of Judah.

8 After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

9 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.

10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “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.”

11 Before David got up the next morning, the word of the Lord had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer:

12 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

13 So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

14 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. 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.”

15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.

16 When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “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.”

18 David Builds an Altar
On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”

19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad.

20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his men coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.

21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”
“To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”

22 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.

23 O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.”

24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.

25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

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Analysis of 2 Samuel Chapter 24

The final chapter of the book of 2 Samuel, Chapter 24, provides a compelling narrative that delves deeply into themes of leadership, sin, repentance, and divine justice. This chapter describes an event where King David, incited by God’s anger against Israel, orders a census to be taken of the people, leading to severe consequences. Here, we will explore the crucial aspects of this chapter, seeking to understand its profound spiritual and theological insights.

1. The Inciting Incident: Divine Anger and David’s Command (2 Samuel 24:1-9)

The chapter opens with a seemingly perplexing verse:

“Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.'” (2 Samuel 24:1, NIV)

This verse immediately raises questions about divine will and human agency. God’s anger towards Israel sets the stage, but David’s action—taking a census—becomes the focal point. In ancient Israel, taking a census was an act imbued with significant spiritual and social implications. It could imply a lack of trust in God’s provision and protection, and reliance instead on human might and numbers. Notably, the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 21:1 attributes the incitement to Satan, which could suggest different theological perspectives within the Biblical text itself.

David instructs Joab and the army commanders to count the people. Joab’s reluctance is evident in his response:

“But Joab replied to the king, ‘May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?'” (2 Samuel 24:3, NIV)

Joab perceives the potential folly or sinfulness in David’s command, hinting that the census is unnecessary and potentially offensive to God. However, David’s resolve shows a moment of pride or misplaced trust in numerical strength. This dialogue between David and Joab not only highlights differing viewpoints but also sets a moral tension for the narrative.

2. The Census and Divine Judgment (2 Samuel 24:10-17)

Once the census is completed, David is struck by the gravity of his actions:

“David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'” (2 Samuel 24:10, NIV)

David’s immediate repentance highlights an essential aspect of his character—a deep consciousness of sin and a readiness to seek God’s forgiveness. Despite his kingship, David’s humility before God becomes apparent. The prophet Gad then presents David with three punitive options from God:

  • Three years of famine.
  • Three months of fleeing from enemies while they pursue you.
  • Three days of plague in the land.

David’s choice here is telling:

“David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.'” (2 Samuel 24:14, NIV)

David opts for the plague, preferring to be at the mercy of God rather than human adversaries. This trust in divine mercy over human cruelty is a profound testament to David’s faith. The ensuing plague, however, is devastating, resulting in the death of seventy thousand people. God’s justice is severe, yet it upholds the seriousness of David’s sin.

3. The Altar on Araunah’s Threshing Floor (2 Samuel 24:18-25)

In response to the plague, the narrative reaches its emotional and theological climax when God commands David through Gad to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. This location is significant beyond the immediate context, as it later becomes the site of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1).

David approaches Araunah to purchase the threshing floor, and Araunah offers it to the king freely, along with oxen for the burnt offering. However, David’s reply is pivotal:

“But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.'” (2 Samuel 24:24, NIV)

This declaration encapsulates the heart of true worship—it must be a genuine sacrifice. David’s insistence on paying reminds us that worship is not a superficial act but involves genuine personal cost and devotion. David’s purchase of the threshing floor and his offerings restore the land, and God lifts the plague from Israel.

Reflection on Major Themes

1. Leadership and Responsibility

David’s actions in the census, despite their sinful overtones, underline a critical lesson in leadership: a leader’s decisions profoundly affect their people. David’s sin leads to widespread suffering, emphasizing the weight of responsibility carried by those in authority.

2. The Nature of Sin and Repentance

This chapter poignantly demonstrates the consequences of sin but also the power of repentance. David’s immediate acknowledgment of his sin and his sincere plea for forgiveness reflect a heart aligned with God’s will, despite moments of failure. True repentance, as shown by David, is not just about feeling remorse but involves concrete actions towards restitution and worship.

3. Divine Justice and Mercy

God’s response to David’s sin—allowing David to choose his punishment—reflects his justice and his mercy. While the consequences of sin are severe, God’s willingness to relent and show mercy when David builds the altar demonstrates his compassionate nature. Even in judgment, God provides a path to redemption.

4. The Significance of Sacrifice

The insistence of David on paying for the threshing floor is a powerful metaphor for the essence of sacrifice. Sacrifice, in a biblical sense, requires sincere commitment and cost, reflecting the worshiper’s dedication and reverence towards God.

Conclusion

2 Samuel Chapter 24 encapsulates a powerful conclusion to the book, weaving themes of divine justice, human responsibility, and the power of repentance. It challenges readers to reflect on their personal relationship with God, the nature of true sacrifice, and the profound impact of their actions on others. David’s journey through this chapter, with its highs and lows, mirrors the spiritual journey of believers, highlighting the perpetual interplay between sin, judgment, mercy, and redemption.

Through the lens of this chapter, we are reminded that true leadership is marked by accountability, genuine worship involves sacrifice, and God’s mercy is always available, ready to restore those who turn back to him in sincerity and trust.

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