Scofield Reference Bible Notes
2 Samuel 24

2Sa 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel

2Sa 21:1.

Go, number Israel and Judah

1Ch 21:1.

2Sa 24:2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

from Dan even to Beersheba

Jdg 20:1.

I may know the number

Jer 17:5.

2Sa 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

Aroer

Deu 2:36; Jos 13:9.

Jazer

Num 32:1, 3.

2Sa 24:6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,

Zidon

Jos 19:28; Jdg 18:28.

2Sa 24:9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men

Cf. 1 Chronicles 21:5. The total military strength of Israel (the northern kingdom) was 1,100,000, and of Judah 500,000. The numbers actually set in array were, of Israel, 800,000; of Judah, 470,000.

2Sa 24:10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

I have sinned greatly in that I have done

1Sa 24:5.

2Sa 24:11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

the prophet Gad, David's seer

1Sa 9:9; 1Ch 29:29.

2Sa 24:13 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.

famine

Scofield Genesis 12:10, note.

2Sa 24:16 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.

angel

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

repented

Scofield Zechariah 8:14, note.

2Sa 24:17 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.

Bible prayers (O.T.). 1Ki 3:5-9. (Gen 15:2; Hab 3:1-16.)

2Sa 24:20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

saw the king

Here read 1 Chronicles 21:20.

2Sa 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

offer burnt offerings

Cf. Scofield 2 Corinthians 8:1, note.

threshingfloor

Cf. Scofield 1 Chronicles 21:25, note.

shekel

One shekel = 2s. 9d., or 65 cents [In 1917].