Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

2 Samuel 24 Devotional

Mercy at the Threshing Floor

“David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.””2 Samuel 24:14 (BSB)

The book ends with another failure. The LORD's anger burns against Israel, and David orders a census over Joab's objection (24:1-4). The text does not explain everything, but David knows he has sinned. Stricken in conscience, he confesses that he has acted very foolishly (24:10). Offered three judgments, he chooses to fall into the hand of the LORD, because his mercies are great (24:14).

The plague is terrible, but when the angel reaches out toward Jerusalem, the LORD tells him to stop (24:16). David asks that the punishment fall on him, the shepherd, rather than on the sheep (24:17). Then he buys Araunah's threshing floor, insisting on paying for his offering. He sacrifices there, and the plague ends (24:24-25). Later Scripture places Solomon's temple on the threshing floor David prepared (2 Chronicles 3:1). David could only ask to bear the blow. Jesus, the good shepherd, laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Sin is costly, but God's mercy is greater, and it meets sinners at the place of sacrifice.

To think about: What would it look like today to fall into the hands of the LORD, trusting that his mercies are great?

About 2 Samuel 24: David's Census and the Plague

With the LORD angry at Israel, David orders a count of its fighting men despite Joab's objection, then confesses his sin. Offered three judgments through the prophet Gad, he chooses God's hand over men's, and God halts the plague at Jerusalem; David buys Araunah's threshing floor and offers sacrifices there.

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