David answered Gad, "I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." David answered GadThis phrase highlights the interaction between King David and the prophet Gad. In the Hebrew context, the name "David" means "beloved," reflecting his special relationship with God. Gad, a prophet, serves as God's messenger, emphasizing the importance of divine communication and guidance in Israel's history. This interaction underscores the biblical principle of seeking God's will through His appointed messengers. I am deeply distressed
The Hebrew root for "distressed" is "tsarar," which conveys a sense of being in a tight spot or under pressure. David's admission of distress reveals his humanity and vulnerability, reminding us that even great leaders experience moments of weakness. This phrase encourages believers to acknowledge their own struggles and seek God's help in times of trouble. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD
The phrase "fall into the hand of the LORD" suggests a voluntary submission to God's authority and judgment. In Hebrew, "hand" (yad) often symbolizes power and control. David's choice to entrust himself to God's hand reflects his faith in God's sovereignty and justice. It serves as a model for believers to trust in God's ultimate authority over their lives. for His mercies are great
The Hebrew word for "mercies" is "rachamim," which is derived from "rechem," meaning "womb." This imagery conveys a deep, nurturing compassion akin to a mother's love. David's confidence in God's great mercies highlights the divine attribute of compassion and forgiveness, encouraging believers to rely on God's lovingkindness even when facing consequences for their actions. but do not let me fall into the hand of man
Here, "hand of man" contrasts with the "hand of the LORD," emphasizing the fallibility and potential cruelty of human judgment. David's plea reflects a preference for divine justice over human retribution, recognizing that God's judgments are tempered with mercy. This phrase serves as a reminder to trust in God's perfect justice rather than fearing human judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who is faced with the consequences of his actions and must choose between three forms of divine judgment. 2. GadA prophet who delivers God's message to David, offering him a choice of punishments. 3. The LORDThe God of Israel, known for His mercy and justice, who offers David a choice of consequences for his sin. 4. IsraelThe nation under David's rule, which is affected by the king's decision and the subsequent divine judgment. 5. The PlagueOne of the three options of judgment presented to David, which he ultimately chooses, trusting in God's mercy. Teaching Points Trust in God's MercyDavid's choice to fall into the hands of the LORD rather than man underscores a profound trust in God's merciful nature. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's mercy in times of distress. The Consequences of SinThis passage serves as a reminder that sin has consequences, not only for the individual but also for the community. It calls for personal accountability and repentance. God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe event illustrates God's sovereign right to judge and His just nature. It encourages believers to submit to God's will, trusting in His perfect justice. Repentance and RestorationDavid's response to his sin and the subsequent judgment highlights the importance of genuine repentance and the hope of restoration through God's mercy. The Role of ProphetsGad's role as a messenger of God emphasizes the importance of heeding prophetic voices and divine guidance in decision-making. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to the choice of punishments reflect his understanding of God's character? 2. In what ways can we apply David's trust in God's mercy to our own lives when facing difficult situations? 3. How does the account in 2 Samuel 24:14 challenge us to consider the impact of our actions on others? 4. What can we learn from David's interaction with Gad about the importance of seeking and listening to godly counsel? 5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 51 and Lamentations 3, enhance our understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness in this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 51David's psalm of repentance, which reflects his understanding of God's mercy and his own sinfulness. 1 Chronicles 21A parallel account of the same event, providing additional details and insights into David's decision and its consequences. Lamentations 3:22-23Highlights God's mercies and faithfulness, reinforcing David's trust in God's compassion. Hebrews 12:6Discusses God's discipline as an act of love, which can be related to the corrective nature of the judgment David faces. Jonah 4:2Jonah's acknowledgment of God's merciful nature, similar to David's reliance on God's mercy. | Choice of David Under Anticipated Judgments | H. Kollock, D. D. | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | David's Choice of a National Calamity | J. Leifchild. | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | David's Choice of the Plague | A. F. Kirkpatrick, M. A. | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | God's Treatment Preferred to Man's | G. Wood | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | In the Hand of God | Homilist | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | Submission to Divine Chastisement | B. Dale | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | The Greatness of God's Unfailing, Mercy | | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | The Stroke of God Preferred | J. R. Macduff, D. D. | 2 Samuel 24:14 | | David Numbering the People | H. Melvill, B. D. | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | David Numbering the People | F. M. Sadler, M. A. | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | David's Numbering of the People | Homiletic Magazine | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | In What Respect the Census was Sinful | A. F. Kirkpatrick, M. A. | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | Numbering the People | C. S. Robinson, D. D. | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | The Church's Resources | | 2 Samuel 24:1-25 | | The Prophet Gad | B. Dale | 2 Samuel 24:9-13, 18, 19 |
People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics David, Decision, Deep, Distress, Fall, Gad, Hands, Mercies, Mercy, StraitDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:14 1055 God, grace and mercy
5559 stress
6227 regret
6687 mercy, God's
8306 mercifulness 2 Samuel 24:1-16 7236 Israel, united kingdom 2 Samuel 24:1-17 5087 David, reign of 2 Samuel 24:10-25 7435 sacrifice, in OT 2 Samuel 24:11-25 4843 plague Library The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of DavidThe Universal Chorus
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that stteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. M en have generally agreed to dignify their presumptuous and arrogant ^* disquisitions on the works and ways of God, with the name of wisdom ; though the principles upon which they proceed, and the conclusions which they draw from …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 24:14 NIV2 Samuel 24:14 NLT2 Samuel 24:14 ESV2 Samuel 24:14 NASB2 Samuel 24:14 KJV
2 Samuel 24:14 Commentaries
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