2 Samuel 24:19

And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

And David {H1732}, according to the saying {H1697} of Gad {H1410}, went up {H5927} as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680}.

David went up and did what Gad had said, as ADONAI had ordered.

So David went up at the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded.

And David went up according to the saying of Gad, as Jehovah commanded.

Commentary

2 Samuel 24:19 records King David's immediate and humble response to divine instruction following his sin of numbering Israel. This verse highlights David's obedience to the prophet Gad, who delivered the LORD's command to build an altar.

Context

This verse is part of the climactic chapter of 2 Samuel, detailing King David's sin of taking a census of Israel and Judah, an act that displeased the LORD and brought a severe plague upon the land (2 Samuel 24:15). After 70,000 people died, the LORD relented, and the Angel of the LORD stopped at the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. The prophet Gad then instructed David, on behalf of the LORD, to go up to this very spot and build an altar there to offer sacrifices and make atonement. Verse 19 shows David's prompt and unreserved action to fulfill this command, demonstrating his deep remorse and desire to appease God's wrath and stop the pestilence.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Obedience: David's swift action, "went up as the LORD commanded," underscores the critical importance of immediate and willing obedience, especially in response to divine correction and a call to repentance. This reflects a truly contrite heart.
  • Divine Instruction and Prophetic Authority: The phrase "according to the saying of Gad" emphasizes that David's action was not his own initiative but a direct response to God's will conveyed through His prophet. This highlights the vital role of God's messengers in guiding His people.
  • Atonement and Reconciliation: The act of building an altar and offering sacrifices was the prescribed method for seeking forgiveness and restoring fellowship with God in the Old Testament. This event served as a crucial moment of national atonement, stopping the devastating plague and bringing reconciliation between God and Israel.
  • Significance of the Location: The threshingfloor of Araunah, where David was commanded to build the altar, holds immense future significance. It is later identified as the very spot where Solomon would build the magnificent Temple of the LORD, making it a permanent site of worship and sacrifice for Israel for centuries to come.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "went up" (ื•ึทื™ึผึทืขึทืœ, vayyaโ€˜al) simply means to ascend or go up, indicating David's movement towards the designated place. The phrase "as the LORD commanded" (ื›ึผึทืึฒืฉืึถืจ ืฆึดื•ึผึธื” ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, ka'asher tzivah Yahweh) uses the verb tzavah, which implies a firm, authoritative command or instruction. This reinforces that David was not merely following advice but obeying a direct divine imperative, demonstrating submission to God's ultimate authority.

Practical Application

David's example in 2 Samuel 24:19 teaches us the profound value of immediate and sincere obedience to God, especially when we have fallen short. When God reveals our sin or directs us through His word or spiritual leaders, our most appropriate response is humble and swift action. This passage also reminds us that God, in His mercy, provides a way for atonement and reconciliation, turning a place of judgment (where the plague stopped) into a sacred site of worship and renewed covenant relationship. Just as David sought to make amends through sacrifice, believers today are called to repent and turn to God, trusting in the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:8 (3 votes)

    By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:20 (2 votes)

    ยถ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

  • Nehemiah 9:26 (2 votes)

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:19 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16 (2 votes)

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • Genesis 6:22 (2 votes)

    ยถ Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.