1 Chronicles 21:19

KJV

And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} went up {H5927} at the saying {H1697} of Gad {H1410}, which he spake {H1696} in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David went up at Gad's word, spoken in ADONAI's name.

Berean Standard Bible

So David went up at the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:19 records King David's immediate and unwavering response to the divine instruction delivered by the prophet Gad, a pivotal moment that underscores the profound importance of prompt obedience to God's specific word. This act of submission was not merely a personal decision but a divinely ordained step in the process of national repentance and atonement, directly leading to the cessation of the devastating plague that had afflicted Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture within the narrative of David's sin of numbering Israel, as recounted in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and the Plague"). The chapter opens with Satan inciting David to take a census, an act rooted in pride and a reliance on human strength rather than divine provision ([1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David")). This transgression results in a devastating plague that sweeps across Israel, claiming 70,000 lives ([1 Chronicles 21:14](/1_chronicles/21-14 "1 Chronicles 21:14 - The Plague Strikes Israel")). Overwhelmed with remorse and seeing the angel of the Lord poised to destroy Jerusalem, David confesses his sin and pleads for the Lord's mercy ([1 Chronicles 21:8](/1_chronicles/21-8 "1 Chronicles 21:8 - David's Confession")). In response to David's genuine repentance, the prophet Gad, David's seer, is dispatched by the Lord with a specific command: David is to go and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). Verse 19 then highlights David's immediate and unwavering action in response to this divine directive, setting the stage for the atonement and the cessation of the plague.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophets like Gad served as direct conduits for divine communication, delivering God's authoritative word to kings and the people. Their messages were not mere human counsel but were understood as binding commands from Yahweh Himself, carrying the weight of divine authority. The act of building an altar and offering sacrifices was the prescribed method for seeking atonement, expressing repentance, and appeasing divine wrath in the face of sin. Threshing floors, like Ornan's, were typically open, elevated spaces, making them suitable for public acts of worship and sacrifice. Furthermore, the narrative in Chronicles emphasizes the establishment of this specific site as the future location for the Temple ([1 Chronicles 22:1](/1_chronicles/22-1 "1 Chronicles 22:1 - The Site for the Temple")), imbuing David's act of obedience with profound long-term significance for Israel's worship life and the centralization of their religious practices. The concept of a plague as divine judgment for sin was a common understanding in the ancient Near East, making the need for immediate, divinely-prescribed action paramount to restore order and divine favor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [1 Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - A Historical Account of Israel"). **Obedience to Divine Command** is paramount, as David's swift action demonstrates the necessity of immediate and complete compliance with God's word, especially when seeking deliverance or restoration from judgment. The phrase "which he spake in the name of the LORD" underscores the **Divine Authority of Prophecy**, emphasizing that Gad's message was not human advice but a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, authenticating the prophet's role as a divine messenger. It also highlights the theme of **Repentance and Atonement**, showing that genuine sorrow for sin must be accompanied by decisive action in accordance with God's prescribed path for dealing with sin and receiving mercy, as seen in David's subsequent sacrifices ([1 Chronicles 21:26](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26 - David's Sacrifices")). Finally, the narrative beautifully illustrates **God's Communication with Humanity**, revealing His willingness to provide a path for reconciliation through His chosen servants, even in the midst of severe judgment, thereby demonstrating His faithfulness and mercy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** This verb signifies an ascent, often implying a movement towards a higher place, but also carries the connotation of offering or sacrifice (as in a "burnt offering," _‘olah'_). Here, it denotes David's physical movement to the threshing floor, which would become the site of the altar, but also implicitly speaks to the spiritual ascent of an act of worship and obedience. David's "going up" is not merely a physical journey but a spiritual act of submission and worship, indicating a proactive and purposeful response.
* **saying (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** Derived from the root "to speak," _dâbâr_ here conveys a sense of a specific, authoritative utterance or command. It is not a suggestion, a piece of advice, or a general word, but a direct instruction from God, delivered through His prophet. This emphasizes the binding and imperative nature of Gad's message, demanding an immediate and decisive response from David.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** While the full phrase is "in the name of the LORD," the word _shêm_ itself signifies an appellation, a mark, or a memorial of individuality, by implication encompassing honor, authority, and character. When used in the phrase "in the name of the LORD," it signifies that Gad was speaking with the full authority, power, and character of God Himself. It means Gad was not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but was acting as God's authorized representative, conveying a divine mandate that carried the very essence and authority of Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David went up":** This clause emphasizes David's immediate and personal initiative, highlighting his prompt and direct action. Despite his royal status and the gravity of the situation, David does not delegate or delay. His physical movement is a tangible expression of a heart ready to obey God's command without hesitation, a stark contrast to his earlier sin of pride that led to the plague. This swift ascent signifies his humble submission and readiness to fulfill the divine directive.
* **"at the saying of Gad":** This specifies the direct impetus and the authoritative source for David's action. David is responding not to his own impulse, human wisdom, or a general sense of remorse, but to the specific, verbal instruction delivered by the prophet Gad. This highlights the crucial role of God's appointed messenger in conveying divine will and the importance of heeding such messages as direct communications from the Almighty. It underlines the principle of divine revelation guiding human action.
* **"which he spake in the name of the LORD":** This final, weighty phrase clarifies the ultimate source and supreme authority of Gad's "saying." It unequivocally states that the message was not Gad's personal advice or opinion, but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh Himself. This underscores the divine origin of the command, making David's obedience an act of submission directly to God, rather than merely to a human prophet. This divine backing authenticates the message, validates Gad's prophetic office, and justifies David's immediate and absolute response, revealing the profound theological weight of the instruction.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message with efficiency and impact. **Narrative Economy** is evident in the concise description of David's immediate action, highlighting his swift obedience without any reported hesitation or questioning. This brevity emphasizes the decisiveness and completeness of his response, contrasting with the detailed account of his earlier sin. The phrase "in the name of the LORD" serves as a powerful **Divine Mandate**, underscoring the absolute authority and divine origin of Gad's message, elevating it beyond human counsel and demanding unquestioning compliance. This also functions as **Validation**, confirming the legitimacy of Gad's prophetic role and the divine nature of the instruction, thereby reinforcing the imperative for David's obedience. Furthermore, the verse implicitly sets up a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: the divine instruction (cause) leads to David's obedient action (effect), which in turn will lead to the cessation of the plague (subsequent effect, though not explicitly stated in this verse, it is the immediate outcome of the narrative). This structure reinforces the principle that God's commands are not arbitrary but are purposeful and efficacious, bringing about His desired outcomes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 21:19 is a profound testament to the necessity and efficacy of immediate obedience to God's revealed will, especially in the context of repentance and atonement. David's swift response to Gad's divine instruction demonstrates a humble heart that prioritizes God's command above all else, even when it requires personal action and public acknowledgment of sin. This act of obedience was the divinely prescribed path to halt the plague and restore God's favor, illustrating that God's mercy is often contingent upon human response—specifically, a turning from sin and an active submission to His directives. The emphasis on Gad speaking "in the name of the LORD" underscores the unchanging principle that God communicates His will with authority, and our blessing often flows from our faithful and prompt adherence to it. This passage reinforces the sovereignty of God and His gracious provision of a path to reconciliation.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's immediate and unquestioning obedience in 1 Chronicles 21:19 serves as a powerful paradigm for believers today, offering profound lessons in spiritual discipline and trust. In a world that often encourages hesitation, questioning, or procrastination, David's swift action reminds us that true faith is often demonstrated through prompt and decisive compliance with God's revealed will. Whether through the clear directives of His written Word, the guiding whispers of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of faithful spiritual leaders, God continues to speak and provide direction. Our response to His "saying" determines not only our personal spiritual trajectory but can also impact the well-being of our communities, just as David's obedience brought an end to a national crisis. This passage challenges us to cultivate a heart that is attuned to God's voice and ready to act without delay, trusting in His wisdom and authority, even when the path ahead is difficult, counter-intuitive, or demands personal sacrifice. True repentance involves not just sorrow for sin, but an active turning towards God's prescribed solutions and a willingness to obey His specific instructions for restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate obedience challenge our own tendencies to delay, rationalize, or question divine directives in our lives?**
* **In what specific ways do we discern God's "saying" in our lives today (e.g., through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel), and how can we cultivate a more prompt and trusting response?**
* **What "plagues" or crises in our personal lives, families, or communities might be calling for a similar act of humble, obedient faith and decisive action?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's obedience so crucial at this moment?**

Answer: David's obedience was crucial because it was the divinely prescribed action required to halt the devastating plague that had afflicted Israel due to his sin of numbering the people. God had specifically commanded him through the prophet Gad to build an altar and offer sacrifices on Ornan's threshing floor ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). David's immediate compliance demonstrated genuine repentance and submission to God's will, allowing God's mercy to be extended and the plague to cease ([1 Chronicles 21:26-27](/1_chronicles/21-26-27 "1 Chronicles 21:26-27 - Fire from Heaven and the Plague Ceases")). It was not merely an act of piety, but a necessary step in the process of national atonement and reconciliation with God, demonstrating that God's judgment can be averted through humble and obedient response to His commands.

**What is the significance of Gad speaking "in the name of the LORD"?**

Answer: The phrase "in the name of the LORD" signifies that Gad's message was not his own human counsel or opinion, but a direct, authoritative utterance from God Himself. This imbued the command with absolute divine authority, making it non-negotiable and demanding immediate, unquestioning obedience from David. It authenticated Gad as a true prophet of Yahweh and ensured that David's action was a direct response to God's will, rather than merely to a human messenger. This divine backing is what gave the command its power to bring about the cessation of the plague and underscored the sacred nature of the prophetic office as a conduit for God's infallible word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 21:19 highlights David's crucial act of obedience in response to divine command, it ultimately points forward to the perfect and ultimate obedience of Jesus Christ. David's obedience, though vital for his time, brought only temporary relief and required repeated sacrifices under the Old Covenant. Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled the will of God, not just in a moment of crisis, but throughout His entire life and ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. The altar David was commanded to build foreshadows the ultimate altar of the cross, where the one true and eternal sacrifice for sin was offered. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly obeyed the Father's "saying," even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Unlike David, who learned obedience through suffering and consequence ([Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ Learned Obedience Through Suffering")), Christ's obedience was inherent, complete, and unblemished, offering Himself as the perfect and final atonement for humanity's sin. His "going up" to Jerusalem and ultimately to Calvary was the ultimate act of submission to God's redemptive will, bringing not just the cessation of a plague, but eternal salvation and reconciliation for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience and Sacrifice")).

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

2 Kings 5:10

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

2 Kings 5:14

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Acts 9:6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].