2 Samuel 24:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Gad {H1410} came {H935} to David {H1732}, and told {H5046} him, and said {H559} unto him, Shall seven {H7651} years {H8141} of famine {H7458} come {H935} unto thee in thy land {H776}? or wilt thou flee {H5127} three {H7969} months {H2320} before {H6440} thine enemies {H6862}, while they pursue {H7291} thee? or that there be three {H7969} days {H3117}' pestilence {H1698} in thy land {H776}? now advise {H3045}, and see {H7200} what answer {H1697} I shall return {H7725} to him that sent {H7971} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gad came to David and told him; he said: "Do you want seven years of famine in your land? or do you want to flee before your enemies for three months while they pursue you? or do you want three days of plague in your land? Think about it, and tell me what to answer the one who sent me."

Berean Standard Bible

So Gad went and said to David, “Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”

American Standard Version

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 thy foes while they pursue thee? or shall there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise thee, and consider what answer I shall return to him that sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 24:13 presents King David with a harrowing divine ultimatum delivered by the prophet Gad, offering him three severe options for national punishment: seven years of famine, three months of flight before enemies, or three days of pestilence. This grim choice is the direct consequence of David's unauthorized census of Israel, an act of disobedience that deeply displeased the Lord. The verse encapsulates the gravity of sin, the certainty of divine justice, and the immense burden of leadership, forcing David to confront the devastating repercussions of his actions upon his entire nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the climax of David's reign as recorded in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Punishment"). It immediately follows David's confession of sin after numbering Israel ([2 Samuel 24:10](/2_samuel/24-10 "2 Samuel 24:10 - David's Confession")) and Gad's initial pronouncement of judgment ([2 Samuel 24:11-12](/2_samuel/24-11 "2 Samuel 24:11-12 - Gad's Prophecy to David")). The options presented in [2 Samuel 24:13](/2_samuel/24-13 "2 Samuel 24:13 - David's Choice of Punishment") directly precede David's agonizing decision ([2 Samuel 24:14](/2_samuel/24-14 "2 Samuel 24:14 - David Chooses Pestilence")) and the subsequent divine plague that devastates the land ([2 Samuel 24:15](/2_samuel/24-15 "2 Samuel 24:15 - The Plague Strikes Israel")). The narrative culminates in the purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and the building of an altar ([2 Samuel 24:18-25](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18-25 - The Altar at Araunah's Threshing Floor")), which later becomes the site for Solomon's Temple ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple")). The parallel account in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and Plague") offers a slightly different duration for the famine option but confirms the core events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's census, while seemingly administrative, was likely a display of pride or a reliance on military strength rather than divine provision, possibly violating an ancient prohibition against numbering the people without a specific divine command or atonement money ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - Atonement Money for the Census")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's sin was often seen as having corporate consequences, bringing divine judgment upon the entire nation (corporate solidarity). Famine, war, and pestilence were recognized as common forms of divine judgment for covenant disobedience, frequently mentioned in biblical curses and blessings ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The prophet Gad served as God's direct messenger, a crucial role in Israelite society, conveying the divine will to the king, even when it involved harsh pronouncements. David's position as king meant his personal actions carried immense weight for the well-being of his people.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Consequence**, demonstrating that even a beloved king like David is not exempt from the repercussions of sin, and his disobedience directly impacts the nation. It highlights the **Sovereignty of God** in initiating the judgment and presenting the choices, affirming His ultimate control over human affairs and natural forces. The **Burden of Leadership** is vividly portrayed, as David's personal transgression brings potential suffering upon all of Israel, emphasizing the profound responsibility of those in authority before God. Furthermore, the difficult choice presented to David introduces the theme of **Mercy Amidst Judgment**, as God, in His justice, still offers David a choice, allowing him to appeal to divine compassion rather than an arbitrary sentence. This sets the stage for the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**, as the narrative moves towards the building of an altar and the offering of sacrifices to appease God's wrath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **advise (Hebrew, _ya'ats'_):** This verb means "to counsel, advise, deliberate, or consult." In this context, it implies a weighty, urgent, and deeply personal consideration of the options presented. David is not merely choosing; he is being called to a profound act of discernment, recognizing the immense consequences of his decision for his people and the land. It emphasizes the gravity of the moment and David's direct responsibility.
* **pestilence (Hebrew, _dever'_):** This term refers to a plague or epidemic, often associated in the Old Testament with divine judgment. Unlike famine or war, which might unfold over time, pestilence is typically swift, indiscriminate, and devastating. Its inclusion as an option highlights the immediate and widespread lethality that God could unleash as a consequence of sin, underscoring the severity of David's transgression.
* **sent me (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** This verb means "to send, dispatch, or stretch out." Gad's concluding statement, "what answer I shall return to him that sent me," powerfully emphasizes his role as a direct and authoritative messenger of Yahweh. It underscores that the options are not Gad's personal suggestions but divine decrees, requiring an immediate and binding response from David to God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the prophet Gad's direct, divinely appointed role as the messenger of God's judgment. It signifies the solemnity and authority of the pronouncement that follows, indicating that David is receiving a direct communication from the Lord.
* **"Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land?"**: This presents the first, prolonged, and agonizing option for divine punishment. Famine represents a slow, pervasive suffering, leading to widespread starvation, disease, and societal breakdown. The duration of "seven years" (though [1 Chronicles 21:12](/1_chronicles/21-12 "1 Chronicles 21:12 - Three Years of Famine") states three years, the KJV of 2 Samuel 24:13 specifies seven) indicates a catastrophic and sustained period of agricultural devastation, impacting every facet of life in the land.
* **"or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee?"**: The second option shifts to military defeat and national humiliation. "Fleeing before enemies" implies sustained military losses, loss of territory, constant fear, and the degradation of national pride and security. This punishment would involve significant loss of life in battle, the destruction of infrastructure, and the psychological trauma of perpetual pursuit.
* **"or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land?"**: The third option is a swift, intense, and highly lethal epidemic. Unlike the prolonged suffering of famine or the ongoing conflict of war, pestilence delivers rapid, widespread death. Its short duration ("three days") belies its devastating efficiency, capable of decimating populations in a concentrated burst of divine wrath.
* **"now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me."**: This concluding imperative places the immediate and heavy burden of decision directly upon David. He is not merely being informed of a judgment but is given the terrible agency to choose the specific form of suffering for his nation. This highlights God's justice, which demands a consequence for sin, but also His mercy, which allows David a measure of choice, forcing him to confront the nature of divine discipline and his own responsibility.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is a masterclass in presenting a **Dilemma**, forcing David into an impossible choice between three catastrophic outcomes. This creates intense dramatic tension, highlighting the severe consequences of his sin. Gad's presentation of the options in the form of **Rhetorical Questions** ("Shall seven years...?", "or wilt thou flee...?", "or that there be...") serves to emphasize the gravity and inevitability of the judgment, while simultaneously empowering David with a terrible agency. There is a clear **Contrast** in the nature and duration of the punishments: a long-term, slow-burning agricultural disaster (famine), a medium-term, ongoing military humiliation (flight), and a short-term, swift, and deadly epidemic (pestilence). This contrast underscores the varied ways divine judgment can manifest. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the choices presented directly set the stage for David's decision in the subsequent verse and the ensuing plague that devastates Israel, making the narrative highly cohesive and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that sin has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the individual to impact entire communities and nations, especially when committed by those in leadership. It underscores God's unwavering justice, which demands a response to disobedience, yet also His profound mercy, which offers a choice even in judgment. David's agonizing decision highlights the human struggle to navigate divine discipline, forcing an appeal to God's character. The three options represent comprehensive forms of judgment – natural disaster, military defeat, and disease – all under God's sovereign control, reminding us that all aspects of life are subject to His will and righteous governance.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [1 Chronicles 21:12](/1_chronicles/21-12 "1 Chronicles 21:12 - The Three Options of Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God's Judgment of Famine, Sword, and Pestilence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark choice presented to David in 2 Samuel 24:13 serves as a timeless reminder of the profound seriousness of sin and its corporate consequences. For leaders, it underscores the immense weight of their actions and the potential for their personal choices to bring blessing or calamity upon those they lead. For all believers, it calls us to a deeper understanding of God's justice and His righteous indignation against sin, while simultaneously revealing His mercy in allowing a choice and providing a path to atonement. In our own lives, we may not face such dramatic choices of national judgment, but we are continually confronted with the consequences of our actions and the need for humility, repentance, and reliance on God's grace. This passage encourages us to consider the ripple effects of our decisions, to seek God's will diligently, and to always appeal to His compassion, knowing that even in discipline, His character is one of love and restorative purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's dilemma challenge my understanding of sin's consequences, both individually and corporately?**
* **In what ways might my own actions, especially in positions of influence, impact those around me?**
* **When faced with difficult choices, how can I emulate David's ultimate decision to "fall into the hand of the Lord" rather than human hands?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's character, specifically His justice and His mercy?**

### FAQ

**Why was David's census a sin?**

Answer: While the exact nature of David's sin in numbering Israel is not explicitly stated in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2_samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - David's Census Initiated"), biblical scholars generally agree it stemmed from a lack of trust in God or an act of pride. It may have been an attempt to rely on his own military strength or national resources rather than on God's divine provision and protection. Additionally, it might have violated an unstated principle or a specific command, such as the requirement in [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - Atonement Money for the Census") to collect atonement money when numbering the people, which David apparently failed to do. The narrative suggests it was an act that "displeased the Lord" and was considered a grave transgression against His sovereignty.

**Why did God give David a choice of punishments?**

Answer: God's decision to offer David a choice of punishments, rather than imposing a single, fixed judgment, demonstrates both His justice and His mercy. It underscores David's accountability for his actions while also allowing him a measure of agency in facing the consequences. This choice highlights God's compassionate nature, allowing David to "fall into the hand of the Lord" ([2 Samuel 24:14](/2_samuel/24-14 "2 Samuel 24:14 - David's Choice")), trusting in God's greater mercy compared to human enemies. It also serves to reveal David's character and his profound understanding of God's compassion, even in the midst of divine wrath.

**What was David's choice, and why did he make it?**

Answer: Although [2 Samuel 24:13](/2_samuel/24-13 "2 Samuel 24:13 - David's Options") presents the options, David's choice is recorded in the very next verse, [2 Samuel 24:14](/2_samuel/24-14 "2 Samuel 24:14 - David Chooses Pestilence"). David chose the three days of pestilence, stating, "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." David understood that God's mercy, even in judgment, surpasses human cruelty or the prolonged suffering inflicted by enemies or famine. He trusted that a swift, divine judgment, directly from God, would be tempered by God's inherent compassion and would ultimately be less severe than the alternatives administered by human hands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The agonizing choice presented to David in [2 Samuel 24:13](/2_samuel/24-13 "2 Samuel 24:13 - David's Choice of Punishment") foreshadows the ultimate, divine response to humanity's sin, which is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. David's sin, like all human sin, demanded a consequence, leading to the threat of widespread death. Yet, in Christ, we see God's perfect solution to the dilemma of sin and judgment. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily bore the full weight of divine wrath, enduring the ultimate "pestilence" of sin's curse on the cross. His perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to David's disobedience, and His sacrifice became the final atonement, preventing the just judgment that would otherwise fall upon us. Just as an altar was built on Araunah's threshing floor to avert the plague ([2 Samuel 24:25](/2_samuel/24-25 "2 Samuel 24:25 - The Altar and Sacrifice")), Golgotha became the place where the ultimate sacrifice was offered, reconciling humanity to God. Through Christ, we are offered not a choice of punishments, but the freedom from punishment, as He became our substitute, taking upon Himself the very consequences we deserved ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins"); [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). He is the ultimate demonstration of God's great mercy, far surpassing any mercy David could appeal to, providing eternal life instead of certain death.

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

1 Chronicles 21:12

Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh [thee]; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

Leviticus 26:25

And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

1 Kings 17:1

¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

1 Kings 17:7

And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

2 Samuel 21:1

¶ Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

Ezekiel 14:13

Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

Deuteronomy 28:22

The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.