King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:13 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:13 in the King James Version says “So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt t... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So 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.

2 Samuel 24:13 · KJV


Context

11

For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

12

Go 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.

13

So 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.

14

And 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. are great: or, are many

15

So 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So 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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Census and Plague, emphasizing pride, judgment, provision. David's census represents prideful self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The plague's devastation demonstrates sin's consequences extending beyond the sinner. David's purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and sacrifice there establishes the future temple location. Theological themes include the danger of pride, corporate consequences of leaders' sins, the necessity of proper sacrifice, God's mercy in limiting judgment, and divine purpose even in disciplinary actions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 24 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding pride, judgment, provision provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of pride, judgment, provision?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 35 words
הֲתָב֣וֹא1 of 35

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גָ֥ד2 of 35

So Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

אֶל3 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֖ד4 of 35

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיַּגֶּד5 of 35

and told

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֑וֹ6 of 35
H0
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 35

him and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֡וֹ8 of 35
H0
הֲתָב֣וֹא9 of 35

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְךָ֣10 of 35
H0
שֶֽׁבַע11 of 35

unto him Shall seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנִ֣ים׀12 of 35

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

רָעָ֣ב׀13 of 35

of famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בְּאַרְצֶ֔ךָ14 of 35

in thy land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אִם15 of 35
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת16 of 35

thee or that there be three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

חֳ֠דָשִׁים17 of 35

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

נֻֽסְךָ֙18 of 35

or wilt thou flee

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

לִפְנֵֽי19 of 35

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

צָרֶ֜יךָ20 of 35

thine enemies

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

וְה֣וּא21 of 35
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

רֹֽדְפֶ֗ךָ22 of 35

while they pursue

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

וְאִם23 of 35
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

הֱ֠יוֹת24 of 35
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת25 of 35

thee or that there be three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִ֥ים26 of 35

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

דֶּ֙בֶר֙27 of 35

pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

בְּאַרְצֶ֔ךָ28 of 35

in thy land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַתָּה֙29 of 35
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

דַּ֣ע30 of 35

now advise

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וּרְאֵ֔ה31 of 35

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מָה32 of 35
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אָשִׁ֥יב33 of 35

I shall return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שֹֽׁלְחִ֖י34 of 35

to him that sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

דָּבָֽר׃35 of 35

what answer

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 24:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 24:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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