2 Samuel 24:17

“And David spake unto the Lord, etc.] In prayer; he and the elders of Israel being clothed in sackcloth, and fallen on their faces, he prayed, not unto the angel, but to Jehovah that sent him; (see <132116>1 Chronicles 21:16,17); when he saw the angel that smote the people; in the air over Jerusalem, with a drawn sword in his hand, which made him appear terrible: and said, lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; in numbering the people: but these sheep, what have they done? he looked upon himself as the only transgressor, and his people as innocent, and as harmless as sheep; he thought of no sins but his own; these were uppermost in his mind, and lay heavy on his conscience; and it…”

“David . . . said--or, "had said," I have sinned . . . but these sheep, what have they done?--The guilt of numbering the people lay exclusively with David. But in the body politic as well as natural, when the head suffers, all the members suffer along with it; and, besides, although David's sin was the immediate cause, the great increase of national offenses at this time had (Sa2 24:1) kindled the anger of the Lord.”

“Compare the passage in Chronicles. The account here is abridged; and 2 Samuel 24:18 has the appearance of being the original statement. return to 'Top of Page'”

“24:17 I am the one who has sinned: David’s earlier confession of sin was limited to his circumstances (“forgive my guilt,” 24:10); now he prayed for those he considered innocent (but see 24:1) and offered to die in their place. • as sheep: David was the shepherd of Israel (see study note on 7:8).”

“spake: Ch1 21:16, Ch1 21:17 I have sinned: Sa2 24:10; Job 7:20, Job 42:6; Psa 51:2-5; Isa 6:5 these sheep: Kg1 22:17; Psa 44:11, Psa 74:1; Eze 34:2-6, Eze 34:23, Eze 34:24; Zac 13:7 let thine: Gen 44:33; Joh 10:11, Joh 10:12; Pe1 2:24, Pe1 2:25 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 24:18”