Chapter 24 leads us into a
subject which requires particular notice. The wrath of
God is kindled again against Israel. It is not in the
mind of the Spirit to inform us on what occasion this
took place, but to lay open God's dealings both in
government and grace. In the preceding chapter God "writeth
up" the mighty men who prefigure the companions of
the true David in glory. Here it is His grace in staying
His anger and bringing in His blessing.
God's dealings in
government and grace
God punishes the pride and
rebellion of Israel by leaving them to the consequences
of the impulse of David's natural heart. Joab's habitual
cleverness and good sense made him perceive its folly.
The flesh, when it is in another, is easily discerned.
Joab felt that it was not worth while to despise God when
nothing was to be gained by it; for in this way the flesh
fears God. But the thing was of Jehovah, and Satan gains
his point.
When in truth can man's
good sense avail in opposition to the will of God in
chastening, and to Satan's malice? It is an awful thing
to be given up to his power. Nine months of sin on David's
part, and of patience on God's part, shew us the fatal
influence of the enemy; but the sin accomplished only
awakens David's conscience. The enjoyment of the fruit of
our sin undeceives us. It is the pursuit of it which
allures our hearts. When Satan has succeeded in inducing
the children of God to commit the evil to which he tempts
them, he cares no longer to conceal from them its
emptiness and folly. Happily, where there is life,
conscience resumes its power in such a case.
David's choice:
his confidence in God
Nevertheless chastening
must follow sin which has been carried out in spite of so
much long-suffering. But God, who reaches His servant's
conscience, brings into play the sincere affections of
his heart, in order to bring about His own sovereign
purpose. David exhibits that never-failing token of a
heart that knows the Lord—confidence in God above
all, and at whatever cost. "Let me fall into the
hand of Jehovah." Sweet and precious thought of what
the Lord is unto His people! and well He knows how to
fill the heart with the certainty that He deserves its
confidence. Even while chastening, God is more loving,
more faithful, more worthy of confidence than any other.
The plague breaks out; but in the midst of judgment
Jehovah remembers mercy, and commands the destroying
angel, when he had reached Jerusalem, to stay his hand.
It is Jerusalem, the city of His affections, that
attracts His attention. God chooses it for the place
where His altar shall be built, and His grace shewn forth—His
appointed mercy-seat. It is there that His wrath, justly
kindled against Israel, ceases; and sin gives occasion to
the establishment of the place and of the work in which
He and His people shall meet, according to that grace
which has put away the sin. This characterises the cross
of Christ; this will stay the plague in Israel, and
introduce the reign of the true Prince of Peace. David
stands in the breach to deliver the people; and at his
own cost (ver. 17), and, typically according to the
counsels of God, he offers the sacrifice of appeasement.
The altar at
Araunah's threshingfloor: the atoning sacrifice
The thoughts on the First
Book of Chronicles will contain a fuller examination into
this latter part of David's history. But it is a striking
close to this book, after all the governmental history of
David, that it closes with the atoning sacrifice which
stops the wrath through grace, and lays the foundation of
the meeting-place of God with Israel and the place of
their worship.
2 Samuel 24 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
Chapter 24 leads us into a subject which requires particular notice. The wrath of God is kindled again against Israel. It is not in the mind of the Spirit to inform us on what occasion this took place, but to lay open God's dealings both in government and grace. In the preceding chapter God "writeth up" the mighty men who prefigure the companions of the true David in glory. Here it is His grace in staying His anger and bringing in His blessing.
God's dealings in government and grace
God punishes the pride and rebellion of Israel by leaving them to the consequences of the impulse of David's natural heart. Joab's habitual cleverness and good sense made him perceive its folly. The flesh, when it is in another, is easily discerned. Joab felt that it was not worth while to despise God when nothing was to be gained by it; for in this way the flesh fears God. But the thing was of Jehovah, and Satan gains his point.
When in truth can man's good sense avail in opposition to the will of God in chastening, and to Satan's malice? It is an awful thing to be given up to his power. Nine months of sin on David's part, and of patience on God's part, shew us the fatal influence of the enemy; but the sin accomplished only awakens David's conscience. The enjoyment of the fruit of our sin undeceives us. It is the pursuit of it which allures our hearts. When Satan has succeeded in inducing the children of God to commit the evil to which he tempts them, he cares no longer to conceal from them its emptiness and folly. Happily, where there is life, conscience resumes its power in such a case.
David's choice: his confidence in God
Nevertheless chastening must follow sin which has been carried out in spite of so much long-suffering. But God, who reaches His servant's conscience, brings into play the sincere affections of his heart, in order to bring about His own sovereign purpose. David exhibits that never-failing token of a heart that knows the Lord—confidence in God above all, and at whatever cost. "Let me fall into the hand of Jehovah." Sweet and precious thought of what the Lord is unto His people! and well He knows how to fill the heart with the certainty that He deserves its confidence. Even while chastening, God is more loving, more faithful, more worthy of confidence than any other. The plague breaks out; but in the midst of judgment Jehovah remembers mercy, and commands the destroying angel, when he had reached Jerusalem, to stay his hand. It is Jerusalem, the city of His affections, that attracts His attention. God chooses it for the place where His altar shall be built, and His grace shewn forth—His appointed mercy-seat. It is there that His wrath, justly kindled against Israel, ceases; and sin gives occasion to the establishment of the place and of the work in which He and His people shall meet, according to that grace which has put away the sin. This characterises the cross of Christ; this will stay the plague in Israel, and introduce the reign of the true Prince of Peace. David stands in the breach to deliver the people; and at his own cost (ver. 17), and, typically according to the counsels of God, he offers the sacrifice of appeasement.
The altar at Araunah's threshingfloor: the atoning sacrifice
The thoughts on the First Book of Chronicles will contain a fuller examination into this latter part of David's history. But it is a striking close to this book, after all the governmental history of David, that it closes with the atoning sacrifice which stops the wrath through grace, and lays the foundation of the meeting-place of God with Israel and the place of their worship.