24:14 Let us fall into the hand of the Lord. Technically, this would allow either the first or third option, that is, famine or plague. The inference is sometimes made that David’s choice is selfish, but all three options, including flight before enemies, would have cost lives (v. 13 note). David’s motivation is entirely different, for he had learned that the Lord’s mercy is great (v. 16; cf. Ex. 34:6, 7; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 30:5; 86:14–16; 103:8–10; Is. 54:7, 8; 60:10; Hos. 11:8, 9; Joel 2:13).