1 Chronicles 21:13

KJV

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great [are] his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto Gad {H1410}, I am in a great {H3966} strait {H6887}: let me fall {H5307} now into the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068}; for very {H3966} great {H7227} are his mercies {H7356}: but let me not fall {H5307} into the hand {H3027} of man {H120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David said to Gad, "This is very hard for me. Let me fall into the hand of ADONAI, because his mercies are very great, rather than have me fall into the hand of man."

Berean Standard Bible

David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”

American Standard Version

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Jehovah; for very great are his mercies: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Chronicles 21:13, King David, faced with a choice of divine judgment for his sin of numbering Israel, expresses a profound preference to fall into the hand of the Lord rather than the hand of man. This pivotal statement reveals his deep understanding of God's compassionate character, even in judgment, contrasting divine mercy with the often unpredictable and harsh nature of human retribution. David's choice underscores his immediate repentance, humility, and unwavering trust in the "very great" mercies of God, acknowledging that even divine discipline is ultimately rooted in love and a desire for restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of David's response to the prophet Gad's presentation of three options for divine punishment, following David's unauthorized and prideful census of Israel. The narrative begins in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David's Census") with Satan inciting David to number the people, an act explicitly condemned by God. Despite Joab's warning in [1 Chronicles 21:3](/1_chronicles/21-3 "1 Chronicles 21:3 - Joab's Warning to David"), David proceeds, incurring God's wrath. Gad, the king's seer, then presents the divine ultimatum: three years of famine, three months of flight from enemies, or three days of pestilence. David's declaration in [1 Chronicles 21:13](/1_chronicles/21-13 "1 Chronicles 21:13 - David's Choice of Judgment") is his immediate and decisive reply, setting the stage for the subsequent divine plague and David's intercession at the threshing floor of Ornan, which ultimately becomes the site for the future temple in [1 Chronicles 22:1](/1_chronicles/22-1 "1 Chronicles 22:1 - The Temple Site Chosen"). The parallel account in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Plague") offers a slightly different perspective but confirms the core events and David's choice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of numbering the people, while seemingly innocuous, could be problematic in ancient Israel if done out of pride, for military might rather than reliance on God, or without the proper atonement sacrifice (as prescribed in [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Census Tax")). David's census was not commanded by God and appears to stem from a desire to assess his own strength, reflecting a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. In the ancient Near East, kings often conducted censuses for taxation or military conscription, but for Israel, a theocracy, such actions had spiritual implications. The concept of divine judgment, often manifested through famine, war, or pestilence, was a recognized consequence of sin in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. David's understanding of God's "mercies" (Hebrew: *rachamim*) was deeply rooted in the covenantal theology of Israel, where God, though just, was also known for His enduring lovingkindness and compassion, as repeatedly declared in the Law and the Prophets.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Chronicles and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereignty of God** over human affairs and the consequences of sin, even for a king chosen by God. Secondly, it emphasizes the **nature of true repentance**, as David immediately acknowledges his sin and submits to God's will rather than seeking to evade punishment. Thirdly, and most significantly, it reveals the profound biblical theme of **divine mercy in judgment**. David's preference for God's hand over man's underscores the conviction that God's justice is always tempered with compassion, even in its most severe forms. This contrasts sharply with human judgment, which is often arbitrary, cruel, or lacking in the ultimate redemptive purpose of divine discipline. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, from the covenant promises to the prophetic calls for repentance, as seen in passages like [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion and Mercy") and [Lamentations 3:32](/lamentations/3-32 "Lamentations 3:32 - God's Compassion Endures").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strait (Hebrew, _tsar'_):** This word conveys a sense of narrowness, distress, anguish, or extreme difficulty. David uses it to describe his predicament, caught between the consequences of his sin and the severe options for divine judgment. It signifies a situation with no easy way out, a desperate and constricted position.
* **Mercies (Hebrew, _rachamim'_):** This is a plural noun derived from the root *racham*, which means "to be tender, compassionate, or to show mercy." It often refers to a deep, visceral compassion, akin to a mother's tender love for her child. David's declaration that God's mercies are "very great" (KJV: "very great [are] his mercies") indicates his profound conviction that even in God's judgment, His underlying character of tender compassion will prevail, making His hand preferable to any human hand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait:"** David acknowledges his dire predicament. He understands the gravity of his sin and the inevitability of divine judgment. His use of "great strait" indicates his profound distress and the crushing weight of the choices presented to him by the prophet Gad. There is no attempt to negotiate or evade the consequences.
* **"let me fall now into the hand of the LORD;"** This is David's pivotal choice. He prefers to be disciplined directly by God. This choice is not an act of defiance but an expression of profound trust and humility. He understands that God's judgment, while severe, is righteous, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive, unlike human judgment which can be arbitrary, vindictive, or purely destructive.
* **"for very great [are] his mercies:"** This clause provides the theological rationale for David's choice. His confidence is rooted in God's character. David knows God's nature is fundamentally merciful and compassionate. Even in wrath, God remembers mercy ([Habakkuk 3:2](/habakkuk/3-2 "Habakkuk 3:2 - In Wrath Remember Mercy")). This conviction allows him to submit to God's hand, believing that divine justice is always tempered by an overwhelming abundance of grace and compassion.
* **"but let me not fall into the hand of man."** This is the stark contrast David draws. He implicitly recognizes the limitations, potential cruelty, and lack of ultimate redemptive purpose in human judgment. To fall into the hand of man would mean suffering at the hands of enemies or human authorities whose actions might lack the divine wisdom, justice, and compassion that characterize God's dealings with His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** as a primary literary device, setting "the hand of the LORD" against "the hand of man." This stark juxtaposition highlights David's profound theological insight: God's character, even in judgment, is superior to human character. The phrase "great strait" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for David's impossible and agonizing predicament, conveying a sense of being trapped. Furthermore, the repeated use of "hand" functions as **Metonymy**, where "hand" represents the power, authority, and agency of either God or man. David's choice is a testament to his understanding of God's **Mercy**, which is presented as "very great," an **Emphatic Adjective** underscoring the boundless nature of divine compassion even when justice demands punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: God's character is defined by mercy, even in the exercise of His justice. David's choice reflects a deep theological understanding that God's discipline is not punitive for its own sake but is always redemptive, aimed at correction and restoration. It contrasts the perfect, compassionate, and wise judgment of God with the fallibility, potential cruelty, and limited perspective of human judgment. This truth encourages believers to always turn to God in repentance, trusting that His ultimate desire is for their good, even when facing the consequences of sin. It reaffirms that God's love undergirds all His actions, including His discipline, and that His mercies truly are "very great."

* [2 Samuel 24:14](/2_samuel/24-14 "2 Samuel 24:14 - David's Choice in the Parallel Account")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion and Steadfast Love")
* [Lamentations 3:31](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31 - God's Compassion Endures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's profound declaration in 1 Chronicles 21:13 serves as a timeless guide for believers navigating the consequences of their own failings or facing daunting circumstances. It calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's character, particularly His boundless mercy, even when His hand brings discipline. In moments of "great strait," when we are confronted with the repercussions of our choices or the trials of life, David's example urges us to turn directly to the Lord, rather than seeking human solutions or attempting to evade responsibility. His preference for God's hand reminds us that divine discipline, though painful, is always administered with perfect wisdom, justice, and an underlying love that seeks our ultimate good and restoration. It is a call to humble submission, genuine repentance, and unwavering faith in the "very great" mercies of our Heavenly Father, knowing that His compassion will never fail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "great straits" have you found yourself, and to whose hand did you instinctively turn?**
* **How does David's understanding of God's "very great mercies" challenge your own perception of divine judgment or discipline?**
* **What does it mean practically to "fall into the hand of the LORD" when facing the consequences of your sin today?**
* **How can remembering God's compassionate character help you to trust Him more fully, even in difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's census a sin, and why did it incur such severe judgment?**

Answer: While a census itself was not inherently sinful (e.g., [Numbers 1:1-3](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1-3 - The First Census")), David's census in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Sinful Census and Punishment") was problematic because it was done out of pride and a lack of trust in God. The text indicates Satan incited David ([1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David")), suggesting it was not God's command but a human initiative driven by a desire to rely on military strength rather than divine protection. It likely reflected a kingly ambition to boast in numbers rather than in the Lord, which was a direct affront to God's covenant with Israel. Furthermore, it may have lacked the proper atonement offering required for a census in [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Census Tax"), which served to acknowledge God's ownership of the people. The severe judgment underscores God's holiness and His intolerance for pride and self-reliance in His chosen king.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:13, with David's profound choice to "fall into the hand of the LORD," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's understanding of God's "very great mercies" foreshadows the ultimate demonstration of divine mercy at the cross. While David faced judgment for his own sin, humanity's "great strait" is far more profound: the universal stain of sin and its eternal consequences ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") and [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Yet, God, in His immeasurable mercy, chose to fall into the "hand" of humanity's judgment on the cross, not as a victim of human cruelty, but as the willing Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus, the perfect Son, submitted to the Father's will, enduring the full weight of divine wrath against sin, so that those who believe might not fall into the hand of eternal judgment but into the hand of God's saving grace ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). David's trust in God's mercy is fully vindicated and infinitely surpassed in Christ, who is the embodiment of God's "very great mercies," offering not just reprieve from temporal judgment, but eternal life and reconciliation with a holy God ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 130:7

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption.

Hebrews 10:31

[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Philippians 1:23

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

John 12:27

¶ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Psalms 69:16

Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Psalms 130:4

But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.