King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:14 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:14 in the King James Version says “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: a...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Samuel 24:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And 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.

Read 2 Samuel 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 18 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֛ד2 of 18

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גָּ֖ד4 of 18

“unto Gad”

H1410

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

צַר5 of 18
H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

לִ֣י6 of 18
H0
מְאֹ֑ד7 of 18

“I am in a great”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

אֶפֹּֽלָה׃8 of 18

“and let me not fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

נָּ֤א9 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וּבְיַד10 of 18

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָה֙11 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּֽי12 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רַבִּ֣ים13 of 18

“are great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

רַֽחֲמָ֔ו14 of 18

“for his mercies”

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

וּבְיַד15 of 18

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אָדָ֖ם16 of 18

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אַל17 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

אֶפֹּֽלָה׃18 of 18

“and let me not fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

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 24:14 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 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:156Psalms 51:11 Chronicles 21:13Jonah 4:2Psalms 130:4Psalms 86:15

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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