2 Samuel 24 14

2 Samuel 24:14 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 24:14 nkjv

And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man."

2 Samuel 24:14 niv

David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands."

2 Samuel 24:14 esv

Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man."

2 Samuel 24:14 nlt

"I'm in a desperate situation!" David replied to Gad. "But let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

2 Samuel 24 verses

2 Samuel 24 14 Meaning

In 2 Samuel 24:14, King David expresses his profound anguish and makes a pivotal decision regarding the divine punishment for his sin of numbering Israel. Facing three options from the prophet Gad, David chooses to fall into the hands of the LORD, articulating his conviction that God's mercy is infinitely greater than that of man. He recognizes that while God's chastisement is severe, it is always tempered with compassion, unlike human judgment, which can be harsh, unfeeling, and devoid of the restorative purpose inherent in divine discipline.

2 Samuel 24 14 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Samuel chapter 24, which describes David's unauthorized census of Israel. This act, described as incited by the LORD's anger against Israel (v. 1), or Satan's provocation (1 Chron 21:1), led David to sin through pride, trusting in human strength and numbers rather than fully relying on God. After David confesses his sin and expresses deep regret (2 Sam 24:10), the prophet Gad presents him with three choices of divine judgment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of pestilence. David's response in verse 14 is his decision to select one of these severe punishments, choosing the path that places him and his people directly under God's hand. His decision reveals his profound understanding of God's character and mercy, setting the stage for the plague and its subsequent cessation at the threshing floor of Araunah, which would later become the site for the First Temple.

2 Samuel 24 14 Word analysis

• David said: Signifies a personal and considered decision.
• to Gad: The prophet, God's messenger, facilitating the interaction between divine judgment and human choice.
• I am in great distress: (Hebrew: צָרָה גְדֹלָה, tsarah gedolah) Refers to being "constrained" or "in a narrow place," indicating profound anguish, mental turmoil, and the severity of his dilemma. This is not mere discomfort but deep existential agony stemming from the consequences of his sin and the options presented.
• Let us fall now: (Hebrew: לָנָּפְלָה־נָּא, lanofla-nna) Implies a willing submission to fate or, in this case, to the divine will. It carries the sense of surrender to the inevitability of the punishment. The use of "us" shows his solidarity with his people in bearing the consequence.
• into the hand of the LORD: (Hebrew: בְיַד־יְהוָה, b'yad Yahweh) "Hand" signifies power, authority, control, and agency. To fall into God's hand means to be directly subjected to His sovereign will and judgment. It conveys absolute reliance on God's prerogative. This implies trusting in God's righteous judgment and ultimate purpose.
• for His mercies are great: (Hebrew: כִּי־רַבִּים רַחֲמָיו, ki rabbim rachamav) "Mercies" (רַחֲמָיו, rachamav, plural of rachamim) originates from the Hebrew word for "womb" (rechem), conveying a deep, tender, compassionate love and pity. "Great" (rabbim) emphasizes the vastness, abundance, and overflowing nature of God's compassion. This is the foundational reason for David's choice; it speaks to the very character of God.
• but do not let me fall into the hand of man: (Hebrew: בְיַד־אָדָם, b'yad adam) A direct contrast. Man's judgment is often driven by fallible reasoning, prejudice, a lack of compassion, vindictiveness, or finite understanding. Unlike God, who tempers justice with mercy, human rulers or enemies could act with unlimited cruelty and without a redemptive purpose, bringing extended suffering and humiliation without end.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I am in great distress. Let us fall now": This sequence reveals David's immediate and overwhelming sense of conviction regarding his sin, leading to an earnest desire to face the consequence. His choice to include "us" shows his leadership and humility, taking responsibility for the suffering that would come upon his nation.
• "into the hand of the LORD...for His mercies are great": This phrase encapsulates David's profound theological insight. He understood that even in judgment, God's nature is rooted in vast compassion. Divine chastisement, though severe, aims at discipline and ultimate restoration, not annihilation. This demonstrates deep faith and understanding of God's attributes.
• "but do not let me fall into the hand of man": This phrase vividly highlights the qualitative difference between divine and human judgment. Human cruelty can be boundless and lacking the grace and redemptive purpose inherent in God's actions. It implies that human adversaries, unlike God, might utterly destroy or exploit without any ultimate good purpose.

2 Samuel 24 14 Bonus section

The narrative here, while highlighting David's choice, also underscores a foundational theological truth about God's character. David's preference was not a preference for punishment itself, but a profound trust in who administers the punishment. This trust speaks to the nature of divine judgment as distinct from human vindictiveness; God’s discipline is purposeful, aimed at repentance and reconciliation, even when it is severe. Furthermore, this pivotal moment directly leads to the acquisition of Araunah’s threshing floor (2 Sam 24:18-25), a site where an altar was built to stop the plague, which eventually became the sacred ground for the construction of Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 3:1). Thus, David’s humble, wise decision to fall into the merciful hand of God led to a lasting place of atonement and worship, transforming a consequence of sin into a locus of redemptive grace.

2 Samuel 24 14 Commentary

David's choice in 2 Samuel 24:14 reflects a deep spiritual wisdom born from experience and an intimate knowledge of God's character. His distress was genuine, arising from the gravity of his sin and its devastating implications for his people. Yet, in this anguish, he gravitated towards the one source of ultimate safety: God Himself. David understood that God's justice, though uncompromising, is always infused with an incomparable mercy and redemptive purpose, stemming from His boundless compassion (rachamim). Unlike the fickle, often cruel, and unpredictable nature of human power and judgment, divine discipline is righteous, consistent, and designed to humble, purify, and ultimately restore. David recognized that being under God's hand, even in judgment, was preferable because God's punishment would not exceed His greater merciful purposes. This profound discernment underscores David's identity as "a man after God's own heart," acknowledging God's sovereignty not just in blessing but also in the administration of justice. It reminds believers that seeking God in all circumstances, even in His judgment, is the wisest path because His ultimate goal is always aligned with His steadfast love.

• Example 1: Choosing to face the consequences of sin directly before God in repentance rather than seeking to conceal or justify it.
• Example 2: Preferring God's direct discipline (e.g., a time of struggle or humility) over allowing worldly forces to exert destructive influence in one's life.