So Gad went and said to David, "Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me." So Gad went and said to DavidGad, known as David's seer, plays a crucial role as a divine messenger. The Hebrew root for "Gad" (גָּד) signifies "fortune" or "luck," indicating his role in delivering God's messages, which often carried significant consequences for Israel. Gad's presence underscores the importance of prophetic voices in guiding the king and the nation, reminding us of the necessity of heeding divine counsel in leadership. Shall you endure three years of famine in your land
The phrase "three years of famine" reflects a severe trial that would test the resilience and faith of the nation. In the Hebrew context, famine (רָעָב, ra'av) was often seen as a divine judgment, a call to repentance and reliance on God. Historically, famines were devastating, leading to economic ruin and social upheaval. This option highlights the gravity of sin and the need for national repentance and trust in God's provision. three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you
This option presents a scenario of military defeat and humiliation. The Hebrew word for "fleeing" (נָס, nas) conveys a sense of panic and retreat. Historically, Israel's enemies were relentless, and such a period would mean vulnerability and loss of life. This choice emphasizes the consequences of disobedience and the importance of seeking God's protection and favor in times of conflict. or three days of plague in your land
The "three days of plague" represents a swift and deadly judgment. The Hebrew term for "plague" (דֶּבֶר, deber) often denotes a pestilence sent by God as a form of punishment. This option, though brief, would be intense and indiscriminate, affecting all levels of society. It serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereignty and the seriousness of sin, urging a return to righteousness and divine mercy. Now then, think it over and decide
David is given the responsibility to choose the form of judgment, highlighting the weight of leadership and decision-making. The phrase "think it over" (דַּע, da) implies a deep, contemplative process, urging David to consider the spiritual and physical implications of each choice. This moment calls for wisdom and discernment, qualities essential for godly leadership. how I should reply to Him who sent me
Gad's role as a mediator between God and David underscores the importance of communication with the divine. The phrase "Him who sent me" refers to God, the ultimate authority. This highlights the chain of command in divine matters and the responsibility of leaders to align their decisions with God's will. It serves as a reminder of the accountability leaders have before God and the need for humility and obedience in their service. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is faced with a difficult decision as a consequence of his actions. 2. GadA prophet sent by God to deliver a message to David, offering him three choices of punishment. 3. IsraelThe nation under David's rule, which will be affected by the decision he makes. 4. Famine, Enemies, PlagueThe three options of punishment presented to David, each with significant implications for the nation. 5. GodThe ultimate authority who sends Gad to David, demonstrating His justice and mercy. Teaching Points The Weight of Leadership DecisionsLeaders bear significant responsibility, and their decisions can have widespread consequences. David’s choice would affect the entire nation of Israel. The Reality of Divine JusticeGod’s justice is evident in the options presented to David. Each choice reflects the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability. The Mercy of God in DisciplineEven in discipline, God offers choices, showing His mercy. David’s ability to choose reflects God’s desire for repentance and restoration. The Importance of Seeking Godly CounselGad’s role as a prophet underscores the importance of seeking and heeding godly counsel when faced with difficult decisions. Repentance and RestorationDavid’s situation reminds us of the importance of repentance and the hope of restoration through God’s mercy. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from David’s response to the choices given by God through Gad, and how can this inform our decision-making process today? 2. How do the consequences of David’s actions in 2 Samuel 24:13 reflect the principles found in Deuteronomy 28 regarding obedience and disobedience? 3. In what ways does the concept of divine discipline in Hebrews 12:6 relate to the options presented to David, and how should this influence our understanding of God’s character? 4. How can we apply the principle of seeking godly counsel, as demonstrated by David’s interaction with Gad, in our own lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did you seek God’s guidance, and what was the outcome? How does this relate to David’s experience in 2 Samuel 24:13? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 21:11-12This passage parallels 2 Samuel 24:13, providing additional context and details about the choices presented to David. Deuteronomy 28Discusses blessings and curses for Israel, highlighting the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God’s commands. Psalm 51David’s psalm of repentance, reflecting his heart and understanding of God’s mercy and justice. Hebrews 12:6Speaks of God disciplining those He loves, which can be related to the corrective nature of the options given to David. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Adversaries, Adversary, Advise, Aware, Bring, Consider, David, Decide, Declareth, Disease, Enemies, Famine, Flee, Fleeing, Flight, Foes, Gad, Haters, Months, Pestilence, Plague, Pursue, Pursuing, Return, Sending, Seven, Violent, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:13 4823 famine, physical
5319 fugitives 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 24:13 NIV2 Samuel 24:13 NLT2 Samuel 24:13 ESV2 Samuel 24:13 NASB2 Samuel 24:13 KJV
2 Samuel 24:13 Commentaries
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