1 Samuel 24
2 Samuel 24 covers David’s census, the accompanying discipline from God, and David’s repentance and the building of an altar. This chapter is the last chapter of 2 Samuel, showing human weakness, God’s mercy, and the meaning of true worship.
1verseWhen Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.”
2verseThen Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
3verseHe came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave.
4verseDavid’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly.
5verseAfterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6verseHe said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
7verseSo David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8verseDavid also arose afterward, and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.
9verseDavid said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?
10verseBehold, today your eyes have seen how the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11verseMoreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
12verseMay the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
13verseAs the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.
14verseAgainst whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
15verseMay the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”
16verseIt came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17verseHe said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
18verseYou have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when the LORD had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me.
19verseFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today.
20verseNow, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21verseSwear now therefore to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.”
22verseDavid swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
The Census and Its Background
The passage begins with the fact that God again became angry with Israel and commanded David to conduct a census. David carries out the census despite the objections of Joab and the commanders of the army. It can be seen that at the time, the census was driven by a desire to rely on human strength (the number of troops) rather than depending on God’s will.
God’s Discipline and David’s Repentance
After completing the census, David realizes that his actions were wrong and confesses his sin to God. God has him choose one of three kinds of punishment through the prophet Gad, and David chooses to receive direct discipline from God. As a result, a plague comes and a great tragedy unfolds in which many Israelites die.
The Building of the Altar and the Closing of the Chapter
David pleads for the discipline to stop, and as instructed by the prophet Gad, he builds an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite and offers sacrifices to God. God accepts the offering and brings an end to the disaster. This threshing floor later also becomes the site where Solomon builds the temple.
Structural and Theological Meaning
- Verses 1-9: David’s command and execution of the census
- Verses 10-17: David’s repentance, the proclamation of punishment through Gad, and the beginning of the disaster
- Verses 18-25: The building of the altar on Araunah’s threshing floor and the end of the disaster
This chapter shows God’s purpose to prepare a new beginning (the altar and the temple site) in the midst of human pride and mistakes, yet through God’s mercy.
Points for Reflection
- It helps us look back on what we rely on in our lives. We can think about whether we are relying on our own strength and numbers—or whether we can trust God’s sovereignty.
- Even with mistakes and weakness, we can reflect on the fact that God does not disregard those who repent, and opens up a new path for them.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Check what you are currently relying on (ability, possessions, people, and so on), and then you can turn your direction toward a life that trusts God again.
- When you realize your mistakes or weakness, you can apply it to your life by adopting an attitude of approaching God honestly rather than condemning yourself, repenting, and seeking to be led into new obedience.
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