2 Samuel 24

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1

EXPOSITION And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. It is probable that this chapter once stood in intimate connection with 2 Samuel 21:1-22 ; and that the famine therein described was followed by a pestilence, of which the blame largely rested upon David, though the sin punished by it was fully shared by the people. In saying that David was moved of Jehovah to number Israel and Judah, the writer acknowledges the great truth that all action, both good and evil, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-2

( 1 Chronicles 21:1 , 1 Chronicles 21:2 ).—( JERUSALEM .) A sinful census. 1 . This census appears to have been ordered by David in one of the later years of his life. The word "again" ( 2 Samuel 24:1 ) indicates that it was subsequent to the famine ( 2 Samuel 21:1 , 2 Samuel 21:14 ; verse 25); and a measure that occupied Joab and the captains of the host nine months and twenty days could only have been accomplished during a time of settled peace, such as succeeded the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-9

The facts are: 1 . On account of some transgressions, God, being angry with Israel, permits some one to incite David to number the people. 2 . David, on issuing his commands to Joab, is met with a remonstrance from him and the captains of the host. 3 . But the king persisting in his desire, Joab and his officers and men apply themselves to the work, and at the end of nine months and twenty days return the number of men capable of serving in war at 1,300,000. The difficulties... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:2

For the king said; Hebrew, and the king said. David's command was not the cause of Jehovah's auger, but the result of his having himself given way to ambition; and, as he yielded to the temptation, it so far became an act of Satan, in that it led to sin; but in its final result it led to good, in that the chastisement cured the people of their thirst for war. And as Satan can act only so far as the Divine will permits, the temptation was most truly the doing of Jehovah (but see note on 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:3

Why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? Joab was an unscrupulous and irreligious man; but he was clear headed, and far more statesmanlike than David ( 2 Samuel 19:5-7 ). He saw whither the king was drifting, and that the increase of the royal power, resulting from successful war, would be fatal to the liberties of Israel. Probably, too, though he had consented to carry out Uriah's murder, yet he despised David for it. When he had murdered Abner to avenge Asahel, David had deprived... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:3-4

( 1 Chronicles 21:3 , 1 Chronicles 21:4 ).—( THE ROYAL COUNCIL CHAMBER .) Unheeded remonstrance. This was not the first time that Joab remonstrated with David ( 2 Samuel 3:24 ; 2 Samuel 19:5 ); but his manner was now very different from what it had been before; arising, perhaps, from his recollection of the consequences of his former rudeness ( 2 Samuel 19:13 ), and his fear of the displeasure of the king, whose authority was fully restored. His remonstrance appears to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:4

The captains of the host. The matter was not undertaken without a council being held, and at it David's chief officers agreed with Joab; but David had made up his mind, and would take no advice. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5

Aroer . There is some uncertainty as to the Aroer here meant. There is first a city of that name in the tribe of Gad facing Rabbah ( Joshua 13:25 ), and this is apparently the city meant; for it is said that "Joab and his men pitched in Aroer, on the south side of the city situated in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer." Now, Jazer is also in Gad, about seven miles west of Rabbah, and as Rabbah is on the extreme east of the Israelite territory towards Ammon, it would be a very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5-10

( 1 Chronicles 21:5-8 ).—( THE ROYAL BED CHAMBER .) An, awakened conscience. The taking of the census occupied over nine months; and during this time David remained insensible to his sin, and waited for the result. At length the work was finished (about wheat harvest), and the number given to the king; but, whilst he looked at the definite proof of the nation's increase, and at first, perhaps, felt elated at the thought of commanding an army of mere than a million soldiers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:6

Then they came to Gilead. When the enumerators had finished their labours in Reuben and the region south of Aroer, Joab moved his camp northwards, and pitched in Gilead, on the river Jabbek; and, having completed the counting in this part of the tribe of Gad, would next enter the wild regions of Manasseh. It is probable that the tribal princes and local officers actually numbered the people, and that Joab, with a powerful force, constrained them to obedience often against their will. It was... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5-10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:6

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