2 Samuel 24:12
2 Samuel 24:12 in Multiple Translations
“Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”
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.
Go and speak unto David, Thus saith Jehovah, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
Go and say to David, The Lord says, Three things are offered to you: say which of them you will have, and I will do it to you.
“Go and tell David that this is what the Lord says: ‘I'm giving you three options. Choose one of them, and that's what I'll do to you.’”
Go, and say vnto Dauid, Thus saith ye Lord, I offer thee three thinges, chuse thee which of them I shall doe vnto thee.
'Go, and thou hast spoken unto David, Thus said Jehovah: Three — I am lifting up for thee, choose thee one of them, and I do [it] to thee.'
“Go and speak to David, ‘The LORD says, “I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.”’”
Go and say to David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things ; choose thee one of them, that I may do it to thee.
Go, and say to David: Thus saith the Lord: I give thee thy choice of three things, choose one of them which thou wilt, that I may do it to thee.
“Go and tell this to David: ‘I am allowing you to choose one of three things to punish you. I will do whichever one you choose.’ ”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 24:12
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2 Samuel 24:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 24:12
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 24:12
Context — Judgment for David’s Sin
12“Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”
13So Gad went and said to David, “Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.” 14David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 12:6–10 | For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. |
| 2 | Revelation 3:19 | Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. |
| 3 | Proverbs 3:12 | for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. |
| 4 | Job 5:17–18 | Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 21:10–11 | “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” So Gad went and said to David, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You must choose |
| 6 | Leviticus 26:41 | and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 12:14 | Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.” |
| 8 | Leviticus 26:43 | For the land will be abandoned by them, and it will enjoy its Sabbaths by lying desolate without them. And they will pay the penalty for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and abhorred My statutes. |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 12:9–10 | Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ |
2 Samuel 24:12 Summary
In 2 Samuel 24:12, God gives David a choice of three punishments for his sin, showing both His justice and mercy. This verse teaches us that God is a God of mercy, but also a God of justice, as seen in other verses like Psalm 89:14, which says 'Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne'. It also shows us that our choices have consequences, but God is always willing to give us a way out, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says 'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God offer David three options for punishment?
God offered David three options as a way of showing His mercy and giving David a choice in his punishment, as seen in 2 Samuel 24:12, which is similar to how God gave Adam and Eve a choice in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 2:16-17.
What is the significance of the number three in the options presented to David?
The number three may symbolize completeness or perfection, as seen in other biblical contexts such as the three persons of the Trinity in Matthew 28:19, and the three days Jesus spent in the tomb, as described in Matthew 12:40.
Is this verse an example of God's wrath or His mercy?
This verse can be seen as an example of both God's wrath and mercy, as God is punishing David for his sin, but also giving him a choice and showing Him mercy, as David later acknowledges in 2 Samuel 24:14 when he says 'His mercies are great'
How does this verse relate to the concept of free will?
This verse shows that God gives humans the freedom to make choices, even in the face of punishment, as seen in 2 Samuel 24:12, and this concept is supported by other verses such as Deuteronomy 30:19, where God sets before the people life and death, and tells them to choose life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like I had to make a difficult choice, and how did I respond?
- How do I understand the balance between God's justice and His mercy, as seen in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can apply the concept of choosing to 'fall into the hand of the Lord' in my own life, as David does in 2 Samuel 24:14?
- How does this verse challenge or comfort me in my understanding of God's character?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 24:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 24:12
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 24:12
Sermons on 2 Samuel 24:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Taking Time to Wait on God - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the four main functions of a head in relation to the body. The first function is to receive input, where every part of the body has the right |
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(Messages) Nearness of Jesus by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Mother Basilia Schlink talks about the experience of Canaan, the land where God dwelled and performed miracles in biblical times. She emphasizes that Canaan has bec |
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Beatitudes/clothed in Christ 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power and authority of true prophets of God. He highlights how the prophets in the Bible, including Paul, delivered strong and sometimes |
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(Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Arrogance and Defeat by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher encourages listeners to take the defeat and discouragement out of their spirits and hearts. He emphasizes that failure, whether in business or any othe |
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Fresh Revelation of Jesus Christ - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living according to the revelation God has given to individuals. He encourages listeners to follow God's personal instructi |
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Spiritual Olympics by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the prodigal son and relates it to the journey of a Christian. He emphasizes the importance of patience and endurance in the Chr |
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(Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the theme of redemption and foreshadowing in the word of God. He emphasizes that even though the nation of Israel faced discipline and conseq |






