2 Samuel 24:25

KJV

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} built {H1129} there an altar {H4196} unto the LORD {H3068}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} and peace offerings {H8002}. So the LORD {H3068} was intreated {H6279} for the land {H776}, and the plague {H4046} was stayed {H6113} from Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then David built an altar to ADONAI there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, ADONAI took pity on the land and lifted the plague from Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then the LORD answered the prayers on behalf of the land, and the plague upon Israel was halted.

American Standard Version

And David built there an altar unto Jehovah, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. So Jehovah was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 24:25 serves as the climactic conclusion to the narrative of King David's sinful census and the subsequent divine judgment upon Israel. This pivotal verse recounts David's obedient construction of an altar and the offering of burnt and peace sacrifices at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, an act through which God's wrath was appeased, and the devastating plague afflicting the land was brought to an immediate halt. It underscores the profound theological truth that divine judgment, provoked by human sin, can be averted and fellowship restored through humble repentance and the prescribed means of atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the resolution to the intense narrative arc of 2 Samuel 24, which begins with God's anger against Israel (though the specific cause is debated, David's census is the immediate trigger) and David's subsequent decision to number the people. Despite Joab's warnings, David proceeds, leading to a profound sense of guilt and confession (2 Samuel 24:10). As a consequence, God offers David a choice of three punishments, and David chooses to fall into the hand of the Lord, resulting in a devastating plague that claims 70,000 lives (2 Samuel 24:11-15). The plague is dramatically halted by the angel of the LORD at the threshing floor of Araunah, where David is instructed by the prophet Gad to build an altar. The preceding verses detail David's refusal to accept the land and sacrifices for free, insisting on purchasing them at full price (2 Samuel 24:21-24), emphasizing the sincerity and costliness of his repentance and worship. Thus, 2 Samuel 24:25 marks the definitive end of the judgment and the restoration of God's favor.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of taking a census in ancient Israel was not inherently sinful, as evidenced by earlier censuses commanded by God (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")). However, David's census, likely motivated by pride, a desire to boast in military strength, or a lack of trust in God's provision, was a grave offense against the covenant relationship. Kings in the ancient Near East often conducted censuses for military conscription or taxation, asserting their own power. The concept of divine judgment through plague was a common understanding in the ancient world, often seen as a direct consequence of displeasing the gods. The threshing floor, a common, open-air location for agricultural work, was a liminal space, often elevated, making it suitable for an altar. The purchase of the land from Araunah, a Jebusite, is significant, as it represents David's legitimate acquisition of a sacred site that would later become the location for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Site of Solomon's Temple")). This act of purchase also demonstrates David's adherence to proper legal and religious protocols for establishing a sacred space.
* **Key Themes:** This concluding verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present in 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over human affairs and His righteous response to sin, even in His chosen king. Secondly, the narrative underscores **Repentance and Atonement**, illustrating that genuine contrition, expressed through humble obedience and prescribed sacrifice, can turn away divine wrath and secure forgiveness. David's insistence on paying for the offerings (as seen in [2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Refusal to Offer What Costs Nothing")) emphasizes the **Cost of True Worship** and the sincerity required for effective intercession. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Sacred Space and Divine Presence**, as the site of atonement becomes consecrated, foreshadowing its future significance as the location of the Temple, where God's presence would dwell among His people ([1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Intreated (Hebrew, _ʿātar_):** This verb, often translated as "entreated," "pleaded," or "prayed earnestly," signifies that God was moved by David's supplication and the accompanying sacrifices. It implies a favorable response to earnest prayer and intercession, indicating that God's disposition towards the land shifted from judgment to mercy. The root carries the idea of "to burn incense" in some contexts, linking it to the act of worship and prayer ascending to God.
* **Burnt Offerings (Hebrew, _ʿōlāh_):** Derived from a root meaning "to ascend," the burnt offering was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. It was primarily an offering of atonement for sin, symbolizing complete dedication, surrender, and expiation. Its total consumption signified the worshiper's complete devotion and the complete propitiation of God's wrath.
* **Peace Offerings (Hebrew, _šĕlāmîm_):** This offering, from the root _šālôm_ (peace), was an offering of thanksgiving, fellowship, or a vow. Unlike the burnt offering, portions of the peace offering were eaten by the worshiper and the priests, symbolizing restored communion and fellowship with God. Its inclusion alongside the burnt offering signifies not only the removal of sin but also the re-establishment of a harmonious relationship between God and Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David built there an altar unto the LORD":** This clause highlights David's immediate and obedient response to God's command, conveyed through the prophet Gad (2 Samuel 24:18). The "there" refers specifically to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the very spot where the angel of the LORD had halted the plague (2 Samuel 24:16). The construction of the altar signifies the establishment of a designated place for worship and sacrifice, acknowledging God's holiness and sovereignty.
* **"and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings":** David's act of offering these specific sacrifices demonstrates his adherence to the Mosaic Law and his understanding of the means by which reconciliation with God could be achieved. The burnt offerings addressed the need for atonement for the nation's sin, while the peace offerings symbolized the desire for and restoration of fellowship and well-being with God, following the cessation of judgment. This dual offering underscores both the gravity of the sin and the hope for renewed relationship.
* **"So the LORD was intreated for the land":** This is the direct, divine response to David's obedient worship and sacrifice. The verb "intreated" (Hebrew _ʿātar_) indicates that God favorably received David's supplication and the offerings. It signifies that God's righteous anger was appeased, and His disposition towards the land and its people shifted from judgment to mercy. This phrase emphasizes God's responsiveness to genuine repentance and the prescribed means of atonement.
* **"and the plague was stayed from Israel":** This final clause confirms the immediate and tangible outcome of God being "intreated." The devastating plague, which had claimed 70,000 lives, was definitively halted. This demonstrates God's power to both inflict and remove judgment, and it serves as a clear sign that the divine wrath had been satisfied through David's actions, bringing an end to the national suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Cause and Effect** is central, as David's obedient actions (building an altar and offering sacrifices) directly lead to God's favorable response and the cessation of the plague. This highlights the theological principle of divine responsiveness to human repentance and atonement. There is also a strong element of **Resolution**, as this verse brings the intense narrative of judgment and suffering to a definitive and peaceful conclusion. The use of **Synecdoche** can be observed in "the land" being "intreated for," where "the land" stands in for the people inhabiting it, emphasizing the widespread nature of the judgment and the national scope of the reconciliation. Finally, the entire account, culminating in this verse, functions as a **Type**, foreshadowing the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that would truly and permanently "entreat" God for humanity's sin, establishing lasting peace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 24:25 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament principle that sin incurs divine judgment, but God, in His mercy, provides a way for atonement and reconciliation. David's actions, though specific to his historical context, reveal timeless truths about the nature of God and humanity's relationship with Him. It teaches that God is both just in punishing sin and gracious in providing a means of forgiveness when approached with genuine repentance and obedient faith. The immediate cessation of the plague underscores God's absolute power and His willingness to restore fellowship when the proper conditions are met. This episode reinforces the necessity of sacrifice as a means of bridging the gap created by sin, a concept foundational to the entire biblical narrative of redemption.

* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Day of Atonement")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalm/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 24:25 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that sin, whether individual or corporate, carries real consequences, disrupting our fellowship with God and bringing about spiritual or even tangible suffering. Yet, it simultaneously proclaims God's boundless mercy and His readiness to forgive and restore when we respond with genuine repentance and humble obedience. David's refusal to offer to God what cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24) serves as a powerful reminder that true worship and repentance are costly, requiring a willingness to sacrifice our pride, resources, and self-sufficiency. It challenges us to consider the sincerity and depth of our own repentance when we confess our sins, urging us to approach God not with superficial words but with a contrite heart and a readiness to obey His commands. This verse ultimately points us to the enduring truth that peace with God is found not through human effort or merit, but through the divinely provided means of atonement.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own strength or resources rather than trusting fully in God's provision, similar to David's census?**
* **What does David's insistence on paying for the altar and sacrifices (2 Samuel 24:24) teach me about the nature of true worship and repentance?**
* **How does the immediate cessation of the plague after David's obedience encourage me about God's responsiveness to genuine contrition and intercession?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's census considered a sin, and what does it teach us about pride?**

Answer: While censuses were sometimes commanded by God (e.g., in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")), David's census in 2 Samuel 24 was considered a sin because it likely stemmed from pride, a reliance on his own military strength, or a lack of trust in God's divine protection and provision. It was not the act of counting itself, but the heart attitude behind it that was offensive to God. David's confession in [2 Samuel 24:10](/2_samuel/24-10 "2 Samuel 24:10 - David's Confession") indicates his recognition of his folly. This teaches us that even seemingly neutral actions can become sinful if motivated by self-exaltation, a desire for human glory, or a failure to depend solely on God. It's a reminder that God examines the heart, not just the outward deed, as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 24:25, while an Old Testament narrative of atonement, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's offering of burnt and peace offerings on the newly built altar at Araunah's threshing floor—a temporary, symbolic act—foreshadows the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Just as the plague was "stayed" and the Lord "intreated" for the land through David's obedience and the shedding of animal blood, so too was God's righteous wrath against humanity's sin fully satisfied by the precious blood of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus is not merely the offerer, but also the perfect offering itself, making atonement for sins "once for all when he offered himself" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Jesus' Single Sacrifice")). Through His sacrifice, we receive not just a temporary cessation of judgment but eternal peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")). The threshing floor, a place of judgment and then atonement, prefigures Golgotha, where the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity was achieved, establishing a new and living way to approach God's presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). Thus, 2 Samuel 24:25 points us directly to the person and work of Christ, who is our true altar, our perfect sacrifice, and the source of our everlasting peace.

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 Samuel 21:14

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

1 Samuel 7:17

And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

2 Samuel 24:14

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: 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.

Genesis 8:20

¶ And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Lamentations 3:32

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Lamentations 3:33

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

1 Chronicles 21:26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.