When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, "Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father's house." When David saw the angelThe Hebrew word for "angel" is "מַלְאָךְ" (mal'akh), which means "messenger." In the context of the Old Testament, angels often served as divine agents executing God's will. Here, the angel is a visible manifestation of God's judgment. David's ability to see the angel signifies a moment of divine revelation and accountability, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the direct connection between divine judgment and human leadership. striking down the people
The phrase "striking down" comes from the Hebrew root "נָכָה" (nakah), meaning to smite or kill. This action reflects the severity of God's judgment due to David's sin of conducting a census, which was seen as an act of pride and reliance on military strength rather than on God. The historical context reveals the gravity of leadership sins affecting the entire nation, a theme consistent throughout the Scriptures. he said to the LORD
David's direct address to the LORD, using the covenant name "Yahweh" (יהוה), indicates a personal and covenantal relationship. This moment of prayer and confession highlights the importance of turning to God in times of crisis, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His mercy. Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned
The term "shepherd" (רֹעֶה, ro'eh) is significant, as it underscores David's role as the leader and caretaker of Israel. By identifying himself as the shepherd, David acknowledges his responsibility for the people. The imagery of a shepherd is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, symbolizing guidance, protection, and care, as seen in Psalm 23 and John 10. I, the shepherd, have done wrong
David's repetition of his role as shepherd emphasizes his personal accountability. The Hebrew word for "done wrong" is "עָוָה" (avah), meaning to act perversely or to commit iniquity. This confession is a model of humility and repentance, recognizing the moral failure and its consequences. But these sheep, what have they done?
The metaphor of "sheep" (צֹאן, tson) for the people of Israel highlights their innocence in this specific judgment. David's plea reflects a deep sense of justice and compassion, recognizing that the people suffer due to his actions. This intercessory prayer is reminiscent of Moses' advocacy for Israel, demonstrating a leader's heart for his people. Please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house
David's request for the LORD's "hand" (יָד, yad) to fall upon him instead of the people is a profound act of self-sacrifice. The "hand" of God often symbolizes power and judgment. By asking for the judgment to be redirected to himself and his family, David exemplifies the ultimate responsibility of leadership and foreshadows the sacrificial nature of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity. This plea for substitutionary atonement is a powerful testament to the themes of justice, mercy, and redemption woven throughout the biblical narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who acknowledges his sin and takes responsibility for the consequences affecting his people. 2. The Angel of the LORDA divine messenger executing judgment upon Israel as a result of David's sin. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who is just and merciful, and to whom David appeals for mercy. 4. The People of IsraelReferred to as "sheep" by David, they are suffering due to the king's actions. 5. JerusalemThe city where the angel was poised to strike, highlighting the severity of the situation. Teaching Points The Weight of LeadershipLeaders bear significant responsibility for their actions, which can have widespread consequences. The Heart of a ShepherdTrue leadership involves self-sacrifice and a deep concern for the well-being of those under one's care. Repentance and IntercessionGenuine repentance involves acknowledging one's sin and interceding for others affected by it. God's Justice and MercyGod's response to sin is just, yet He is also merciful to those who repent and seek His forgiveness. The Role of Christ as the Ultimate ShepherdDavid's willingness to take the punishment points to Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of the world. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to the angel's actions reflect his understanding of his role as a leader and shepherd? 2. In what ways does David's plea for the people of Israel mirror the intercessory role of Christ? 3. How can we apply the principle of taking responsibility for our actions in our own lives, especially when they affect others? 4. What does this passage teach us about the nature of God's justice and mercy, and how can we seek to emulate these attributes in our relationships? 5. How does understanding the role of a shepherd in biblical times enhance our comprehension of Jesus' declaration as the Good Shepherd? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 51David's psalm of repentance, which echoes his acknowledgment of sin and plea for God's mercy. 1 Chronicles 21A parallel account of this event, providing additional details and context. John 10:11Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, drawing a parallel to David's role as a shepherd-king. Exodus 32:32Moses intercedes for Israel, offering himself in place of the people, similar to David's plea. Hebrews 7:25Christ's intercession for believers, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of the shepherd's role. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Angel, Behold, Causing, Committed, David, Destruction, Fall, Family, Father's, Flock, Iniquitously, Iniquity, Messenger, Perversely, Please, Sheep, Sin, Sinned, Smiting, Smote, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke, Striking, Struck, Truly, Wickedly, Wrong, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:17 4684 sheep
5682 family, significance
6624 confession, of sin
7786 shepherd, king and leader 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 24:15-17 1135 God, suffering of
5295 destruction 2 Samuel 24:16-17 4113 angels, agents of judgment 2 Samuel 24:16-25 4524 threshing-floor 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 24:17 NIV2 Samuel 24:17 NLT2 Samuel 24:17 ESV2 Samuel 24:17 NASB2 Samuel 24:17 KJV
2 Samuel 24:17 Commentaries
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