And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
Read it in contextDavid's Census, Plague, and Atonement
Start reading at 2 Samuel 24:1 (2 Samuel 24:1 to 2 Samuel 24:25).
The entire chapter describes David's census, the resulting plague, and the atonement made to stay God's judgment.
24:1And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
24:2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
24:3And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
24:4Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
24:5And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
24:6Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
24:7And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
24:8So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
24:9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
24:10And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
24:11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
24:12Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
24:13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
24:14And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
24:15So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
24:16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
24:17And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
24:18And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
24:19And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
24:20And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
24:21And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
24:22And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
24:23All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24:24And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
24:25And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? The final compiler is unknown. Jewish tradition connects the continuation of Samuel's history with Nathan and Gad; Chronicles also names their records concerning David. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Samuel 24:1–24:25): David, Joab, Gad, the affected people, and Araunah are involved in the census, plague, and altar episode. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers learning about David's kingship, God's promise to his house, and the consequences of his family's actions. Biblical references: 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 12:10; 2 Samuel 23:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is the LORD's anger being kindled against Israel, leading Him to move King David to number Israel and Judah. This census is presented as a sin on David's part, resulting in a divine plague upon the people.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His anger against Israel, His sovereignty in moving David to act, and the serious consequences of sin, which can bring judgment upon a nation. He also reveals His mercy in providing a way for atonement and staying the plague.
What is the literary style? The literary style of 2 Samuel is narrative history, recounting the events of David's reign.
When
When was it written? The book of 2 Samuel was written between approximately 1000 and 930 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described in 2 Samuel 24, including David's census, occurred between approximately 1010 and 970 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The command to number Israel and Judah was given by David, likely in Jerusalem. The numbering took place throughout the tribes of Israel, 'from Dan even to Beersheba.' The plague was stayed at 'the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite,' which was in Jerusalem.
Where was the author located? The author of 2 Samuel was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in David's Census, Plague, and Atonement (2 Samuel 24:1 to 2 Samuel 24:25).
Start reading at 2 Samuel 24:1. The entire chapter describes David's census, the resulting plague, and the atonement made to stay God's judgment.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage concludes the book of 2 Samuel, highlighting the consequences of sin even for a king like David and demonstrating God's justice and mercy. It also sets the stage for the building of the temple, as the altar built on Araunah's threshingfloor becomes the future site for the house of the LORD.
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ by showing the need for atonement and sacrifice to turn away God's wrath and stay the plague, foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for sin. David's intercession for his people also prefigures Christ's role as the great Intercessor. The site of the altar, Araunah's threshingfloor, later became the location for the temple, a place of worship and sacrifice that ultimately pointed to Christ. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage teaches the seriousness of sin, even when committed by leaders, and that God's judgment is real. It also demonstrates God's great mercy when there is genuine repentance and a costly sacrifice. Believers today are called to trust in God's provision rather than human strength or numbers, and to respond to sin with repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Christ.
Cited: 2 Samuel 24:1, 2 Samuel 24:2, 2 Samuel 24:9, 2 Samuel 24:10, 2 Samuel 24:11, 2 Samuel 24:15, 2 Samuel 24:16, 2 Samuel 24:17, 2 Samuel 24:18, 2 Samuel 24:24, 2 Samuel 24:25
Who wrote it, and how we know
Nathan and Gad (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Nathan and Gad. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Nathan and Gad.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated in Scripture.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel 24
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Samuel follows David's reign, his household, and the consequences of his actions. Promises concerning his house and reports of his sins must both remain in view. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
Connection to the wholeThe final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
Connection to the wholeThe final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Samuel follows David's reign, his household, and the consequences of his actions. Promises concerning his house and reports of his sins must both remain in view.
Connection to the wholeThe final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.