Bibelkommentare

David, tempted by Satan, forceth Joab to number the people; who are thirteen hundred thousand fighting men, 2 Samuel 24:1-9. David acknowledgeth his sin in it: having three judgments propounded by God, he is in great distress, and chooseth the pestilence; of which seventy thousand men die, 2 Samuel 24:10-15. David by his humiliation preventeth the destruction of Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 24:16,17. He by Gad’s direction and order from God purchaseth Araunah’s threshing-floor to build an altar there; on which having sacrificed, the plague stayeth, 2 Samuel 24:18-25.

Again, to wit, after the former tokens of his anger, such as the three years’ famine, 2Sa 21.

He moved David he: who? Either,

1. Satan, as is expressed, 1 Chronicles 21:1. Or,

2. God; who is said, in like manner, to stir up Saul against David, 1 Samuel 26:19, and to turn the hearts of the Egyptians to hate his people, Psalm 105:25, and to make men to err from his ways, Isaiah 63:17, and to send strong delusions, &c., and to harden their hearts. All which expressions are not so to be understood, as if God did work these sinful dispositions; which neither was necessary, because they are naturally in every man’s heart, nor possible for the holy God to do; but because he permits them, and withdraws his grace and all restraints and hinderances from them, and giveth occasions and advantages to them; and directs their thoughts to such objects as may indeed be innocently thought of, which yet he knows they will wickedly abuse; and give them up to Satan, who he knows will deceive and entice them to such and such sins; which, being tempted to do by Satan, and being effected by their own wicked hearts, he so orders and overrules, that they shall be punishments for their former sins. Against them, i.e. for Israel’s punishment. To say, or, saying. For this may be referred, either,

3. To God, of whom the same expression is used 2 Samuel 16:10, The Lord said to Shimei, Curse David; which in both places is not to be understood of any command or impulse of God, but of his secret providence disposing things in manner here above expressed. Or,

4. To David; he moved David to say, to wit, to Joab, as he did, 2 Samuel 24:2.

Which expression points at David’s sin in this matter, that he numbered them, not by direction from God, nor for any important business of the church or kingdom; but out of mere curiosity, and pride, and vain-glory; accompanied either with a secret distrust of God’s promise; or rather, with a carnal confidence in the numbers of his people; all which were great sins, and were so manifest, that not only God saw them, and all the degrees and aggravations of them, in David; but even Joab and the captains of the host were very sensible of them, 2 Samuel 24:3,4.

What reason or necessity is there for this action? It is to no purpose, and will be burdensome to thy people, and may offend God, and produce ill effects.

Joab perceiving the king bent upon it, would not hazard the king’s favour by further disputing or disobeying his command.

They passed over Jordan; they began their computation in the eastern part of David’s dominions, which were beyond Jordan.

Pitched, or encamped. For Joab carried with them divers of his commanders, and others; partly, for his honour, and, the credit of the work; partly, to assist him in that troublesome work; and partly, to overcome the people, in case they should oppose it as sinful or burdensome, or savouring of some evil design which David might have upon them.

Of the river of Gad, i. e. of the river which lay in the tribe of Gad, or upon the borders of Gad and Reuben, which was called Arnon, Deu 2:36.

Toward Jazer, or, near Jazer, which also was upon the river Arnon.

To Gilead; to Mount Gilead, which lay northward from Arnon.

Tahtim-hodshi; a place so called. Or, the lowland lately gained, i. e. not given by Joshua, but taken lately from the Hagarites by Saul; which was near Gilead, 1 Chronicles 5:10.

Dan-jaan, i.e. probably the famous city of Dan, as it is called, Joshua 19:47 Judges 18:7; for this was in the northern border of the land, and in the way from Gilead to Zidon.

About to Zidon, i.e. to the city and territory of Zidon; but not into it, because it was not in the power and possession of the Israelites: and the like is to be thought concerning Tyre, and the cities which the Hivites and Canaanites yet possessed in the neighbourhood of Tyre and Sidon.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.