But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand now!" At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. But when the angel stretched out his handThe phrase "stretched out his hand" is a vivid depiction of divine intervention. In Hebrew, the word for "angel" is "mal'ak," which means messenger. This angel acts as an agent of God's judgment. The imagery of stretching out a hand signifies readiness to execute God's command, reflecting the seriousness of the impending judgment on Jerusalem. Historically, angels are often depicted as executing God's will, whether in protection or judgment, emphasizing the power and authority they carry as divine messengers. to destroy Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds significant historical and theological importance. It is the center of Jewish worship and the future site of the Temple. The potential destruction of Jerusalem underscores the gravity of David's sin in taking a census, which was seen as an act of pride and lack of trust in God. The Hebrew root for "destroy" is "shamad," indicating complete ruin. This highlights the severity of the consequences of sin and the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin. the LORD relented from the calamity
The Hebrew word for "relented" is "nacham," which can mean to be sorry, to console oneself, or to change one's mind. This does not imply that God changes His nature or His ultimate plans, but rather that He responds to human actions with compassion and mercy. The "calamity" refers to the plague that was a direct result of David's sin. This phrase reveals God's character as just yet merciful, willing to forgive and restore when there is genuine repentance. and said to the angel who was destroying the people
Here, God directly communicates with the angel, showing His sovereign control over the events. The phrase "destroying the people" indicates the ongoing judgment that was halted by God's command. This interaction highlights the personal nature of God, who is involved in the affairs of humanity and responsive to their plight. 'Enough! Withdraw your hand now!'
God's command to "withdraw" signifies a cessation of judgment. The Hebrew word "raphah" means to let go or to relax. This demonstrates God's mercy and His willingness to stop the punishment once His purpose is achieved. It is a powerful reminder of God's grace, which triumphs over judgment when there is repentance. At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite
The "threshing floor" is a place of separation and purification, symbolically significant in Scripture. It is where the wheat is separated from the chaff, representing judgment and refinement. Araunah the Jebusite's threshing floor later becomes the site for Solomon's Temple, a place of worship and sacrifice. This location underscores God's redemptive plan, turning a place of judgment into a place of worship and reconciliation. The mention of "Araunah the Jebusite" highlights the inclusivity of God's plan, as Jebusites were original inhabitants of Jerusalem, showing that God's mercy extends beyond Israel to all nations. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Angel of the LORDA divine messenger sent by God to execute judgment on Israel due to David's sin of conducting a census. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel who shows mercy by halting the destruction. 3. DavidThe King of Israel who ordered the census, leading to God's judgment. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, which was spared from destruction. 5. Araunah the JebusiteThe owner of the threshing floor where the angel halted, a significant location for future events. Teaching Points God's Mercy in JudgmentEven in His righteous judgment, God shows mercy. This teaches us about the balance of justice and mercy in God's character. The Power of RepentanceDavid's repentance and intercession play a crucial role in God's decision to relent, emphasizing the importance of a contrite heart. Divine SovereigntyGod's control over events, including the actions of the angel, reminds us of His ultimate authority over all creation. The Significance of ObedienceThe event underscores the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. The Role of IntercessionDavid's plea for his people highlights the power and responsibility of intercessory prayer. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the mercy shown by God in 2 Samuel 24:16 reflect His character as described in other parts of the Bible? 2. What can we learn from David's response to God's judgment, and how can we apply this to our own lives when we face the consequences of our actions? 3. In what ways does the location of the threshing floor of Araunah become significant in the biblical account, and what does this teach us about God's plans? 4. How does the concept of divine intervention in this passage connect with other instances in the Bible where God intervenes in human affairs? 5. What role does intercessory prayer play in this passage, and how can we incorporate this practice into our spiritual lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 22The concept of divine intervention and mercy is echoed in the account of Abraham and Isaac, where God provides a substitute sacrifice. Exodus 12The Passover event, where the angel of death passes over the homes marked by the blood of the lamb, parallels the sparing of Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 21This parallel account provides additional details about the event and David's subsequent actions. Psalm 103:8-10Highlights God's merciful nature, which is evident in His relenting from complete destruction. Matthew 24:22Jesus speaks of the days being shortened for the sake of the elect, reflecting God's mercy in judgment. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Afflicting, Angel, Araunah, Arau'nah, Calamity, Cease, Destroy, Destroyed, Destroying, Destruction, Direction, Disaster, Evil, Floor, Forth, Grain-floor, Grieved, Jebusite, Jeb'usite, Jerusalem, Messenger, Putteth, Regret, Relax, Relented, Repented, Repenteth, Sending, Stay, Stretched, Threshing, Threshing-floor, Threshingplace, Threshing-place, Withdraw, WorkingDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:16 1210 God, human descriptions
5156 hand
5970 unhappiness
6227 regret 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 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 24:16 NIV2 Samuel 24:16 NLT2 Samuel 24:16 ESV2 Samuel 24:16 NASB2 Samuel 24:16 KJV
2 Samuel 24:16 Commentaries
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