Satan stood — Before the Lord and his tribunal to accuse David and Israel, and to beg God's permission to tempt David. Standing is the accusers posture before men's tribunals; and consequently the holy scripture (which useth to speak of the things of God, after the manner of men, to bring them down... [ Continue Reading ]
Why, &c. — Or, why should this be a cause of trespass, or an occasion of punishment to Israel? God commonly punishes the people for the sins of their rulers, because they are for the most part guilty of their sins in one kind or other; or at least God takes this occasion to punish people for all the... [ Continue Reading ]
Counted not — Partly for the following reason; and principally by God's gracious providence to Levi, because they were devoted to his service; and to Benjamin, because they were the least of all the tribes, having been almost extinct, Judges 21:6, and because God foresaw that they would be faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
Displeased — Because this was done without any colour of necessity, and out of mere curiosity, and ostentation.... [ Continue Reading ]
There fell, &c. — He was proud of the number of his people, but God took a course to make them fewer. Justly is that we are proud of so, taken from us, or embittered to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sackcloth — In mourning garments, humbling themselves before God for their sins, and deprecating his wrath against the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Set up an altar, &c. — The commanding of David to build an altar, was a blessed token of reconciliation. For if God had been pleased to kill him, he would not have commanded, because he would not have accepted a sacrifice at his hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hid themselves — Because of the glory and majesty in which the angel appeared, which mens weak natures are not able to bear; and from the fear of God's vengeance which now seemed to be coming to their family.... [ Continue Reading ]
Six hundred — We read, 2 Samuel 24:24, he gave fifty shekels of gold: that is, he gave in gold the value of six hundred shekels of silver.... [ Continue Reading ]
By fire — Heb. by fire sent from heaven: which was the sign of God's acceptance. The fire that might justly have fastened on the sinner, fastened upon the sacrifice and consumed it. Thus Christ was made sin and a curse for us, and it pleased the Lord to bruise him, that through him God might be to u... [ Continue Reading ]
Sacrificed — When he perceived that his sacrifice was acceptable to God, he proceeded to offer more sacrifices in that place.... [ Continue Reading ]
Afraid — When he saw the angel stand with his drawn sword over Jerusalem, he durst not go away to Gibeon, lest the angel in the mean time should destroy Jerusalem: for the prevention whereof he thought it proper to worship God in that place, which he had consecrated by his special presence and accep... [ Continue Reading ]