2 Samuel 24

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:7

Tyre (comp. Joshua 19:29 ). Tyre and the whole coast land between it and Sidon had been too strong for the tribe of Asher, and remained unsubdued. But, like the independent states in India, it acknowlodged the supremacy of the paramount power. The cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites. It is evident from this that even in David's time there were towns and districts were Hivites and Canaanites dwelt as distinct communities, governed probably by their own laws. But as they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:8

Nine months and twenty days. This long period seems excessive, if nothing more was intended than merely counting the heads of the people, especially as the census was left unfinished. But there might very probably be difficulties with the aliens dwelling in Israel; and it is still more probable that there was a complete examination of all the military resources of the land. The result showed a very different state of things from that described in 1 Samuel 13:19-22 , and we can well... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:9

There were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. In Chronicles the numbers are, "of Israel eleven hundred thousand men, and of Judah four hundred and sixty-five thousand men." These discrepancies are a remarkable confirmation of the truth of what is said in 1 Chronicles 27:24 that because of the outbreak of the Divine wrath, "the number was not put in the account of the Chronicles of King David." Neither the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:9-19

( 1 Chronicles 21:9-13 , 1 Chronicles 21:18 , 1 Chronicles 21:19 ). The Prophet Gad. "And when David was up in the morning," etc. Gad had formerly given valuable direction to David ( 1 Samuel 22:5 ); and he must have been now far advanced in life. He was "David's seer," or spiritual counsellor; a true prophet of God ( 1 Samuel 2:27 ; 1 Samuel 3:19 ; 2 Samuel 7:3 ); assisted in the arrangements for the temple service ( 1 Chronicles 9:22 ), and (like Samuel and Nathan)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10

David's heart smote him. It appears from 1 Chronicles 27:24 that the census was not completed, and, though Joab had visited Judah, he had not even begun to enrol the names of the men of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chronicles 21:6 ). It appears also that the displeasure of God was manifesting itself before David repented ( 1 Chronicles 21:7 ; 1 Chronicles 27:24 ). Some sign of this, either in public trouble, or in the brooding of the pestilential miasma over the land, brought home to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10

Sinful numbering. This is part of a narrative which presents various serious difficulties. The chief is that which arises from the statement that God moved David to commit the sin for which he afterwards punished him. In 1 Chronicles 21:1 the instigator is said to be Satan, or "an adversary;" and it is possible to translate hero ('Speaker's Commentary') "one moved David." Still, the translation in our English versions (both Authorized and Revised) is more natural. The statement reminds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10-17

A king's sin and a people's chastisement. The facts are: 1 . David, reflecting on the accomplishment of his purpose, comes to a consciousness of his sin, and makes confession before God. 2 . In the morning the Prophet Gad is sent to him from. the Lord, offering him, as a choice of a chastisement, either seven years' famine, or three months' defeat before his enemies, or three days' pestilence. 3 . David, in his anguish, elects to fall into the hands of God. 4 . Thereupon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:11

For when, etc.; Hebrew, and David arose in the morning, and a word of Jehovah came unto Gad, a seer of David, saying. The visit of the seer was the result of David's repentance, and not its cause. And he was sent in mercy, that, after such punishment as would cure both king and people of their folly, there might be for both forgiveness. The name for seer is not roeh , the old word used in 1 Samuel 9:9 , and which simply means "one who sees;" but chozeh, a gazer, one who looks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:13

Seven years of famine. In 1 Chronicles 21:12 and here in the Septuagint we find "three years." This is probably right as being in harmony with the rest. Three years of famine, three months of defeat, or three days of pestilence. In Ezekiel 14:21 famine, pestilence, and the sword are mentioned as three of God's four sore judgments. But a fourth judgment is there enumerated, namely, that of the increase of wild beasts, and Joshua the Stylite says that in Mesopotamia, as a result of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:13

( 1 Chronicles 21:12 ).—( JERUSALEM .) Preachers and hearers. "Now advise [know], and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me." The intercourse of the prophet with the king, especially his language at the close of the first interview, is suggestive of— I. THE VOCATION OF THE PREACHER of the gospel. 1 . Every true preacher is sent forth by God. 2 . He is put in trust with the Word of God, and is sent to proclaim it to others, as his messenger and... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:9-19

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:10-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:13

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