2 Samuel 24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24

David is tempted by Satan to number Israel and Judah, 2 Samuel 24:1 . Joab remonstrates against it, but the king determines that it shall be done; and Joab and the captains accomplish the work, and bring the sum total to the king: viz.: eight hundred thousand warriors in Israel, and five hundred thousand in Judah, 2 Samuel 24:2-9 . David is convinced that he has done wrong; and the prophet Gad is sent to him, to give him his choice of three judgments, one of which God is determined to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:1

He moved David against them - God could not be angry with David for numbering the people if he moved him to do it; but in the parallel place ( 1 Chronicles 21:1 ;) it is expressly said, Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. David, in all probability, slackening in his piety and confidence toward God, and meditating some extension of his dominions without the Divine counsel or command, was naturally curious to know whether the number of fighting men in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:3

Joab said unto the king - This very bad man saw that the measure now recommended by the king was a wrong one, and might be ruinous to the people, and therefore he remonstrates against it in a very sensible speech; but the king was infatuated, and would hear no reason. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:5

And pitched in Aroer - This was beyond Jordan, on the river Arnon, in the tribe of Gad: hence it appears, says Calmet, that they began their census with the most eastern parts of the country beyond Jordan. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:6

Tahtim-hodshi - Where this place was is not exactly known: some think that the words refer to a newly conquered country, as our margin, the nether land newly inhabited; and if so, this was probably the country eastward of Gilead, which the Israelites, in the time of Saul, had conquered from the Hagarites, and dwelt in themselves. See 1 Chronicles 5:10 , where this transaction is recorded. To Dan-jaan - Or, to Dan of the woods. This is the place so frequently mentioned, situated at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:7

The strong hold of Tyre - This must have been the old city of Tyre, which was built on the main land: the new city was built on a rock in the sea. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:8

Nine months and twenty days - This was a considerable time; but they had much work to do, nor did they complete the work, as appears from 1 Chronicles 21:6 ; 1 Chronicles 27:24 . William the Conqueror made a survey of all England, particularizing "how many hides or carucates the land is taxed at; whose it was in the time of his predecessor Edward; who the present owners and sub-tenants; what and how much arable land, meadow, pasture, and wood there is, how much in demesne, i.e.,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:9

In Israel eight hundred thousand - the men of Judah were five hundred thousand - In the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 21:5 , the sums are widely different: in Israel one million one hundred thousand, in Judah four hundred and seventy thousand. Neither of these sums is too great, but they cannot be both correct; and which is the true number is difficult to say. The former seems the most likely; but more corruptions have taken place in the numbers of the historical... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:10

David said - I have sinned greatly - We know not exactly in what this sin consisted. I have already hinted, 2 Samuel 24:1 , that probably David now began to covet an extension of empire, and purposed to unite some of the neighboring states with his own; and having, through the suggestions of Satan or some other adversary, (for so the word implies), given way to this covetous disposition, he could not well look to God for help, and therefore wished to know whether the thousands of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:11

For when David was up - It is supposed that David's contrition arose from the reproof given by Gad, and that in the order of time the reproof came before the confession stated in the 10th verse. David ' s seer - A holy man of God, under the Divine influence, whom David had as a domestic chaplain. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:11

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