2 Samuel 24:25

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

2 Samuel 24:25 concludes the dramatic account of King David's unauthorized census and God's subsequent judgment upon Israel. This verse highlights the pivotal moment when divine wrath is appeased through David's obedient act of worship and sacrifice.

Context

This verse is the culmination of a narrative beginning with David's decision to conduct a census of Israel and Judah, an act considered a sin because it likely stemmed from pride and a reliance on military strength rather than God's provision (2 Samuel 24:10). As a consequence, God sent a severe plague upon the land, resulting in the deaths of seventy thousand people (2 Samuel 24:15). The plague was halted by an angel of the LORD at the threshingfloor of Araunah (or Ornan) the Jebusite. Directed by the prophet Gad, David purchased the threshingfloor, oxen, and wood from Araunah to build an altar and offer sacrifices. This location would later become the site of Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), emphasizing its sacred significance.

Key Themes

  • Atonement and Forgiveness: The primary message is that God's wrath, provoked by sin, can be turned away through proper sacrifice and genuine repentance. The burnt offerings served as a means of atonement for the nation's sin, while peace offerings symbolized restored fellowship with God.
  • Obedience and Worship: David's obedience in building the altar and offering sacrifices as commanded was crucial. His willingness to pay the full price for the sacrificial animals and location (2 Samuel 24:24) underscored the sincerity of his repentance and worship.
  • Divine Mercy and Intervention: Despite the severe judgment, God demonstrated His mercy by staying the plague once the appropriate sacrifice was offered. This reflects God's character as one who is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Exodus 34:6).
  • The Significance of Sacrifice: The passage reinforces the Old Testament principle that "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "the LORD was intreated for the land" uses a KJV term that means God was appeased, reconciled, or had His favor restored. The Hebrew root, 'atar, implies earnest prayer and supplication, indicating that God responded favorably to David's intercession and the sacrifices.
  • Burnt offerings (Hebrew: 'olah) were entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement for sin.
  • Peace offerings (Hebrew: shelamim) were sacrifices where parts were given to God, parts to the priests, and parts consumed by the worshiper, signifying fellowship, thanksgiving, and peace with God.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 24:25 offers enduring lessons for believers today. It reminds us that sin has consequences, but God is gracious and responsive to genuine repentance and humble obedience. When we acknowledge our wrongdoing and approach God through the means He has provided – ultimately, through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ – He is faithful to forgive and restore. This verse emphasizes the importance of worship that comes from a contrite heart, recognizing that our ultimate peace and reconciliation with God come through sacrifice, not human effort or pride. It points us to the final, perfect sacrifice that allows for true and lasting peace between God and humanity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 21:14 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • Lamentations 3:33 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 21:26 (3 votes)

    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.