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24 Once again the Eternal grew angry with Israel; so He used David against them, telling the king to go and count the people of Israel and Judah. David spoke to Joab, the commander of his army who was with him.

David: Travel to all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and take a census of the people. I want to know how many there are.

But Joab cautioned the king.

Joab: May the Eternal God increase the number of your people a hundred times while you are still alive to see it. But why on earth would you desire to do this, my king?

But the king’s order held, and Joab and the other leaders of the army left the king’s presence and went out to count the people of Israel. To begin, they went over the Jordan River and camped at Aroer south of the city that is in the middle of the valley there. Then they moved on toward Gad and Jazer. After that, they traveled to Gilead and to Tahtim-hodshi; then they traveled on north to Dan-jaan, and from Dan they went west to Sidon and then to the fortified city of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites. Then they went south to the wilderness of Judah at Beersheba. At last, when they had traveled through all the land, they came back to Jerusalem after 9 months and 20 days. Joab reported these astonishing numbers to the king: Israel had 800,000 soldiers and Judah had 500,000.

10 After he heard this, David was overwhelmed with guilt for counting his subjects. He prayed to the Eternal One.

David: I have committed a great wrong against You. But please, O Eternal One, take away the guilt I feel, for I have done a stupid thing.

11 When David rose the next morning, he was met by the prophet Gad, David’s seer, who had received a message from the Eternal.

Gad: 12-13 I am supposed to tell you this: “The Eternal says, ‘I will offer you three choices. Pick one, and that will be what I will do to you.’”

Do you want to have seven[a] years of famine in the land? Would you rather be on the run from your enemies for three months? Or shall a plague rage for three days through the land? Make a choice, and tell me what answer to give to the One who sent me.

David: 14 This is horrible! But I would rather fall by the hand of the Eternal, because He is merciful, than fall into human hands.

15 So the Eternal One sent a great plague that morning and for three days. It swept through Israel from Dan in the far north to Beersheba in the desert south, killing 70,000 people. 16 But when the heavenly messenger prepared to destroy Jerusalem, He relented; and He commanded the heavenly messenger who had brought the epidemic.

Eternal One: Stop. That is enough.

The heavenly messenger then paused beside the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite; 17 and when David saw him there, the one striking the people, he spoke to the Eternal One.

David: Look, I am the one who offended You, the only one who has done wrong. What have these innocent sheep done? If someone is going to be punished for what I did, it should be me and my family. Punish us.

18 Later that day, the prophet Gad approached David.

Gad: Go, and build an altar to the Eternal on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

19 So David went to perform this task the Eternal had given him through Gad. 20 Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, so he went out into the road and bowed low before him in the dust.

Araunah: 21 Why has my lord, the king, come to see your servant?

David: I have come to buy your threshing floor. We must build an altar to the Eternal there so that this epidemic will be lifted from the people.

Araunah: 22 My lord and king, take and offer what seems right. Here are the oxen you need to make the burnt offering. Take the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for firewood. 23 I will give you all these things, my king. May the Eternal One your God look on your offering with favor.

David: 24 No, I will buy these things from you. Name your price. I will not make an offering to the Eternal One, my True God, that has cost me nothing.

25 David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 20 ounces of silver. He built an altar there to the Eternal and made burnt and peace offerings on it. The Eternal One heard David’s prayers for the land and lifted the plague from Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 24:12-13 Greek manuscripts read, “three.”

David Enrolls the Fighting Men(A)

24 Again(B) the anger of the Lord burned against Israel,(C) and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of(D) Israel and Judah.”

So the king said to Joab(E) and the army commanders[a] with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba(F) and enroll(G) the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

But Joab(H) replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over,(I) and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer,(J) south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer.(K) They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon.(L) Then they went toward the fortress of Tyre(M) and all the towns of the Hivites(N) and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to Beersheba(O) in the Negev(P) of Judah.

After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.(Q)

10 David was conscience-stricken(R) after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned(S) greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.(T)

11 Before David got up the next morning, the word of the Lord had come to Gad(U) the prophet, David’s seer:(V) 12 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

13 So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come on you three[b] years of famine(W) in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague(X) in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

14 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy(Y) is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.(Z) 16 When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented(AA) concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord(AB) was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd,[c] have done wrong. These are but sheep.(AC) What have they done?(AD) Let your hand fall on me and my family.”(AE)

David Builds an Altar(AF)

18 On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah(AG) the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad. 20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.

21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”

“To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”(AH)

22 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen(AI) for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. 23 Your Majesty, Araunah[d] gives(AJ) all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.”

24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”(AK)

So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels[e](AL) of silver for them. 25 David built an altar(AM) to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer(AN) in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 24:2 Septuagint (see also verse 4 and 1 Chron. 21:2); Hebrew Joab the army commander
  2. 2 Samuel 24:13 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 21:12); Hebrew seven
  3. 2 Samuel 24:17 Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint; Masoretic Text does not have the shepherd.
  4. 2 Samuel 24:23 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts King Araunah
  5. 2 Samuel 24:24 That is, about 1 1/4 pounds or about 575 grams

Daa'uud Oo Tirinaya Nimankii Dagaalyahanka Ahaa

24 Oo haddana Rabbiga cadhadiisii aad bay ugu kululaatay reer binu Israa'iil, oo Daa'uud buu iyagii ku soo kiciyey, oo wuxuu yidhi, Tag oo soo tiri reer Israa'iil iyo reer Yahuudah. Markaasaa boqorkii ku yidhi Yoo'aab oo ahaa sirkaalkii ciidanka oo isaga la joogay, Horay iyo dib u dhex mar qabiilooyinka reer binu Israa'iil oo dhan, tan iyo Daan iyo ilaa Bi'ir Shebac, oo dadka soo tiriya si aan u ogaado dadka tiradiisa. Markaasaa Yoo'aab boqorkii ku yidhi, Rabbiga Ilaahaaga ahu ha badiyo dadka, oo in kastoo ay yihiinba, ha ku daro boqol jibbaar, oo indhahaagu, boqorow, sayidkaygiiyow, taas ha arkeen; laakiinse maxaad taas ugu farxaysaa, boqorow, sayidkaygiiyow? Habase yeeshee boqorka hadalkiisii waa ka adkaaday hadalladii Yoo'aab iyo saraakiishii ciidankaba. Markaasaa Yoo'aab iyo saraakiishii ciidankuba boqorka hortiisii ka tageen inay dadkii soo tiriyaan. Oo waxay ka gudbeen Webi Urdun, oo degeen Carooceer, oo ku taal xagga midigta oo magaalada ku dhex taal dooxadii Gaad, iyo tan iyo Yacser, oo haddana waxay yimaadeen Gilecaad, iyo ilaa dalkii Taxtiim Xodshii; oo waxay yimaadeen Daan Yacan, iyo Siidoon hareeraheeda, oo waxay yimaadeen dhufayskii Turos, iyo magaalooyinkii reer Xiwi iyo reer Kancaan oo dhan; oo waxay tageen xagga koonfureed oo dalka Yahuudah ilaa Bi'ir Shebac. Haddaba markay dalkii oo dhan horay iyo dib u dhex mareen ayay Yeruusaalem ku soo noqdeen sagaal bilood iyo labaatan maalmood dabadood. Markaasaa Yoo'aab boqorkii siiyey tiradii dadka; oo waxaa dalka Israa'iil ku jiray siddeed boqol oo kun oo nin oo seefqaad ah oo xoog leh; oo waxaa dalka Yahuudahna ku jiray shan boqol oo kun oo nin.

10 Oo Daa'uudna qalbigiisii ayaa naxay markuu dadka tiriyey dabadeed. Markaasaa Daa'uud Rabbiga ku yidhi, Waxaan sameeyey aad baan ugu dembaabay; haddaba Rabbiyow, waan ku baryayaaye, iga fogee dembigayga anoo addoonkaaga ah, waayo, nacasnimo weyn baan sameeyey. 11 Oo markii Daa'uud subixii toosay ayaa eraygii Rabbigu u yimid Nebi Gaad, oo ahaa Daa'uud wax arkihiisa, oo wuxuu yidhi, 12 Tag oo Daa'uud la hadal oo waxaad ku tidhaahdaa, Rabbigu wuxuu kugu leeyahay, Saddexdan waxyaalood baan ku siinayaa, ee ka dooro mid aan kugu sameeyo. 13 Sidaas daraaddeed Gaad baa Daa'uud u yimid, oo intuu u warramay ayuu ku yidhi, Toddoba sannadood dalkaaga abaari ma kuugu soo degtaa? Mase saddex bilood baad cadaawayaashaada ka cararaysaa iyagoo ku eryanaya? Mase saddex maalmood baa belaayo dalkaaga lagu soo dejiyaa? Haddaba tasho, oo ka fiirso jawaabta aan u celiyo kii i soo diray. 14 Markaasaa Daa'uud wuxuu Gaad ku yidhi, Cidhiidhi weyn baan ku jiraa; haddaba Rabbiga gacantiisa aan ku dhacno; waayo, naxariistiisu waa badan tahay; laakiinse yaanan dad gacantiis ku dhicin. 15 Saas aawadeed Rabbigu belaayo ayuu ku soo dejiyey reer binu Israa'iil, taasoo timid subaxdii iyo ilaa wakhtigii loo qabtay; oo ilaa Daan iyo tan iyo Bi'ir Shebac waxaa dadkii ka dhintay toddobaatan kun oo nin. 16 Markii malaggii gacanta u fidiyey inuu baabbi'iyo Yeruusaalem ayaa Rabbigu belaayadii ka qoomamooday, oo wuxuu ku yidhi malaggii dadka baabbi'inayay, Bes weeye, haddaba gacanta soo celi. Oo malaggii Rabbiguna wuxuu ag joogay meeshii hadhuudhka lagu tumi jiray oo uu Arawnaah kii reer Yebuus lahaa. 17 Markaasaa Daa'uud wuxuu la hadlay Rabbiga kolkuu arkay malaggii dadka laayay, oo yidhi, Bal eeg, waan dembaabay, oo wax qalloocan baan sameeyey, laakiinse idahanu maxay sameeyeen? Haddaba waan ku baryayaaye, gacantaadu ha ka gees noqoto aniga iyo reerka aabbahay.

Daa'uud Oo Dhisay Meel Allabari

18 Oo Gaadna maalintaas ayuu Daa'uud u yimid, oo ku yidhi, Tag, oo Rabbiga meel allabari uga dhis meeshii hadhuudhka lagu tumi jiray ee Arawnaahkii reer Yebuus. 19 Oo Daa'uud baa ku tegey wixii uu Gaad ku yidhi iyo sidii Rabbigu ku amray. 20 Oo Arawnaah ayaa arkay boqorkii iyo addoommadiisii oo xaggiisa u soo socda; markaasaa Arawnaah soo baxay, oo boqorka hortiisii ayuu ku sujuuday, wejigana dhulkuu saaray. 21 Oo Arawnaah wuxuu yidhi, Boqorow, sayidkaygiiyow, maxaad iigu timid anoo addoonkaaga ah? Oo Daa'uudna wuxuu yidhi, Waxaan kuugu imid inaan kaa iibsado meesha wax lagu tumo, si aan Rabbiga uga dhiso meel allabari inay belaayadu dadka ka joogsato. 22 Oo Arawnaahna wuxuu Daa'uud ku yidhi, Boqorow, sayidkaygiiyow, qaado oo Ilaah u bixi wax alla wixii kula wanaagsan; bal eeg, waa kuwan dibidii qurbaanka la gubo, waana kuwan alaabtii wax lagu tumayay iyo alaabtii dibidu si ay qoryihii u noqdaan. 23 Boqorow, waxan oo dhan anoo Arawnaah ah ayaan ku siinayaa. Oo Arawnaah wuxuu boqorkii ku yidhi, Rabbiga Ilaahaaga ahu ha ku aqbalo. 24 Markaasaa boqorkii wuxuu Arawnaah ku yidhi, Maya, laakiinse sida runta ah qiimaan kaaga iibsanayaa, oo Rabbiga Ilaahayga ahna qurbaanno la gubo ugu bixin maayo wax aanan waxba ka bixin. Haddaba Daa'uud wuxuu meeshii wax lagu tumi jiray iyo dibidiiba ku iibsaday konton sheqel oo lacag ah. 25 Markaasaa Daa'uud halkaas Rabbiga uga dhisay meel allabari, oo wuxuu u bixiyey qurbaanno la gubo iyo qurbaanno nabaadiino. Haddaba Rabbigu waa aqbalay baryadii dalkii loo baryay, oo belaayadiina dalkii way ka joogsatay.

24 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,

And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.

So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

13 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.

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.

15 So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

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

20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee.

24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

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.

David’s Census of Israel and Judah(A)

24 Again (B)the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, (C)“Go, [a]number Israel and Judah.”

So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, (D)from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that (E)I may know the number of the people.”

And Joab said to the king, “Now may the Lord your God (F)add to the people a hundred times more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?” Nevertheless the king’s word [b]prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel.

And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in (G)Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward (H)Jazer. Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; they came to (I)Dan Jaan and around to (J)Sidon; and they came to the stronghold of (K)Tyre and to all the cities of the (L)Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to South Judah as far as Beersheba. So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the king. (M)And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

The Judgment on David’s Sin(N)

10 And (O)David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So (P)David said to the Lord, (Q)“I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have (R)done very foolishly.”

11 Now when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet (S)Gad, David’s (T)seer, saying, 12 “Go and tell David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.” ’ ” 13 So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall (U)seven[c] years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land? Now consider and see what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”

14 And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, (V)for His mercies are great; but (W)do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

15 So (X)the Lord sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of the people died. 16 (Y)And when the [d]angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, (Z)the Lord relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of [e]Araunah the Jebusite.

17 Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Surely (AA)I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house.”

The Altar on the Threshing Floor(AB)

18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, (AC)“Go up, erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David, according to the word of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded. 20 Now Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming toward him. So Araunah went out and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.

21 Then Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”

(AD)And David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the Lord, that (AE)the plague may be withdrawn from the people.”

22 Now Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up whatever seems good to him. (AF)Look, here are oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing implements and the yokes of the oxen for wood. 23 All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king.”

And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God (AG)accept you.”

24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So (AH)David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. (AI)So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and (AJ)the plague was withdrawn from Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 24:1 take a census of
  2. 2 Samuel 24:4 overruled
  3. 2 Samuel 24:13 So with MT, Syr., Tg., Vg.; LXX three (cf. 1 Chr. 21:12)
  4. 2 Samuel 24:16 Or Angel
  5. 2 Samuel 24:16 Ornan, 1 Chr. 21:15