King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:17 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:17 in the King James Version says “And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done ... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And 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.

2 Samuel 24:17 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And 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.

18

And 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. Araunah: Heb. Araniah

19

And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And 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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 25 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 25

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֨ד2 of 25

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֜ה4 of 25

unto the LORD

H3068

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

בִּרְאֹת֣וֹ׀5 of 25

when he saw

H7200

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

אֶֽת6 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּלְאָ֣ךְ׀7 of 25

the angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

הַמַּכֶּ֣ה8 of 25

that smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בָעָ֗ם9 of 25

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙10 of 25

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֨ה11 of 25
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֤י12 of 25
H595

i

חָטָ֙אתִי֙13 of 25

Lo I have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

וְאָֽנֹכִ֣י14 of 25
H595

i

הֶֽעֱוֵ֔יתִי15 of 25

and I have done wickedly

H5753

to crook, literally or figuratively

וְאֵ֥לֶּה16 of 25
H428

these or those

הַצֹּ֖אן17 of 25

but these sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

מֶ֣ה18 of 25
H4100

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

עָשׂ֑וּ19 of 25

what have they done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תְּהִ֨י20 of 25
H1961

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

נָ֥א21 of 25
H4994

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

יָֽדְךָ֛22 of 25

let thine 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

בִּ֖י23 of 25
H0
וּבְבֵ֥ית24 of 25

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽי׃25 of 25

I pray thee be against me and against my father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


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 24:17 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 24:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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