2 Samuel 24 Commentary

2 Samuel 24 Commentary

You can use several lenses to view Chapter 24. One of them could make you conclude that David isn’t as great as Chapter 23 portrays.

David’s sin in this chapter is different from his adultery with Bathsheba – Chapter 11. Regardless, it’s intense. It also appears to be out of place given the concluding notes of the previous chapter.

But this seemingly out-of-place story has its focus elsewhere. It’s like Chapter 23 landed the plane prematurely! The biblical narration shouldn’t end with David’s exploits and his invaluable service to the nation!

We could focus on David’s pride and miss the point.

It’s all about the altar that the LORD instructs David to erect. It paves the way for the construction of the House of the LORD. Indeed, Solomon’s temple would stand in this same place – Araunah’s threshing floor.

It pointed to the House of the LORD that David’s son would eventually build. But we know it actually pointed to the Son, the son born to us with the government on His shoulders.

David’s altar brought peace and sheltered the people from death. It pointed to the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, whose government would know no end. Isaiah 9.

As the prophet Nathan delivered God’s great promise to David, so yet another prophet, Gad, would deliver a specific instruction to erect the altar.

Verse 14 reports that “the LORD was grieved because of the calamity” NIV 1984. Man’s suffering grieves the heart of the LORD! Compassion kicked in; compassion won the day! See how wickedness initiated wholesale punishment! See how compassion brought salvation!

This chapter highlights two elements of God’s character. A holy God who won’t look at wickedness, and a loving Father who grieves when His children suffer.

Standing between the two elements is the altar on Araunah’s threshing floor. The sacrifice here points to the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary. That’s the essence of the gospel – that by this one sacrifice, individuals and humanity can find salvation.

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