So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. So the LORD sent a plagueThe phrase "the LORD sent" underscores the sovereignty and authority of God over all creation. In Hebrew, the name for the LORD is "Yahweh," which signifies the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The term "plague" (Hebrew: "deber") often denotes a divine judgment or punishment. This reflects the biblical theme that God is just and righteous, and His actions, even when severe, are meant to bring about repentance and restoration. upon Israel
"Israel" refers to the united kingdom under David's rule, encompassing all twelve tribes. Historically, Israel was chosen by God to be a holy nation and a light to the Gentiles. This plague serves as a reminder of the nation's covenantal responsibilities and the consequences of disobedience. It also highlights the collective nature of sin and its impact on the community. from that morning until the appointed time
The phrase "from that morning" indicates the immediacy and suddenness of the plague's onset. "Until the appointed time" suggests a predetermined period set by God, emphasizing His control over time and events. This reflects the biblical understanding that God’s judgments are measured and purposeful, not arbitrary. and seventy thousand men of the people died
The number "seventy thousand" is significant, illustrating the severity of the judgment. In biblical numerology, the number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection, suggesting the totality of the impact. The phrase "men of the people" indicates that the judgment affected a broad spectrum of society, reinforcing the idea that sin has widespread consequences. from Dan to Beersheba
This phrase is a common biblical expression denoting the entire land of Israel, from its northernmost city, Dan, to its southernmost city, Beersheba. It signifies the comprehensive nature of the plague's impact across the nation. Historically, this expression underscores the unity and extent of the kingdom under David's reign, as well as the pervasive reach of divine judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God who, in response to David's actions, sends a plague upon Israel. 2. DavidThe King of Israel who, by ordering a census, incurs God's wrath, leading to the plague. 3. IsraelThe nation experiencing the consequences of David's sin, suffering a devastating plague. 4. Dan to BeershebaA phrase indicating the entire nation of Israel, from its northernmost to southernmost points. 5. Seventy Thousand MenThe number of Israelites who died as a result of the plague, highlighting the severity of the judgment. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin has severe consequences, not only for the individual but also for the community. David's sin led to the suffering of many. God's Sovereignty and JusticeGod is just and sovereign, and His judgments are righteous. The plague was a direct result of disobedience. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial. David's failure to follow God's instructions regarding the census led to disaster. Repentance and RestorationWhile sin has consequences, God is merciful and desires repentance. David's later actions show a heart seeking restoration. Intercession and LeadershipLeaders have a responsibility to intercede for their people. David's role as king included seeking God's mercy for Israel. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the account of the plague in 2 Samuel 24:15 teach us about the consequences of disobedience to God? 2. How does the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 21 enhance our understanding of this event? 3. In what ways can we see the principle of Romans 6:23 ("the wages of sin is death") illustrated in this passage? 4. How can David's response to the plague inform our own approach to repentance and seeking God's mercy? 5. What lessons can we learn about leadership and intercession from David's actions in this account? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 21This parallel account provides additional details about the census and the resulting plague, offering a fuller picture of the event. Exodus 30:12This verse outlines the requirement for a ransom during a census to prevent a plague, which David neglected, leading to the judgment. Psalm 51David's psalm of repentance, which reflects his heart of contrition and desire for God's mercy, relevant to his response to sin. Romans 6:23This verse speaks to the wages of sin being death, a principle illustrated by the consequences of David's actions. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Appointed, Beersheba, Beer-sheba, Causing, Dan, David, Death, Designated, Die, Died, Disease, Giveth, Grain-cutting, Morning, Pestilence, Selection, Seventy, ThousandDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:15 8739 evil, examples of
9021 death, natural 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 2 Samuel 24:15-16 1120 God, repentance of
4140 angel of the Lord 2 Samuel 24:15-17 1135 God, suffering of
5295 destruction 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 24:15 NIV2 Samuel 24:15 NLT2 Samuel 24:15 ESV2 Samuel 24:15 NASB2 Samuel 24:15 KJV
2 Samuel 24:15 Commentaries
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