Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XXIV.

AND again a 1.1 the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and ‖ 1.2 he moved Da∣vid b 1.3 against them c 1.4, to say d 1.5, Go number Israel and Judah.

2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, ‖ 1.6 Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people e 1.7.

3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people (how ma∣ny soever they be) an hundred fold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing f 1.8?

4 Notwithstanding, the kings word prevailed against Joab g 1.9, and against the captains of the host: and Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the peo∣ple of Israel.

5 ¶ And they passed over Jordan h 1.10, and pitched i 1.11 in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the ‖ 1.12 river of Gad k 1.13, and toward Jazer l 1.14.

6 Then they came to Gilead m 1.15, and to the ‖ 1.16 land of Tahtim-hodshi n 1.17; and they came to Dan▪Jaan o 1.18, and about to Zidon p 1.19,

7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Cana∣anites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beer-sheba.

8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand q 1.20 valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand r 1.21 men.

10 ¶ And Davids heart smo•…•…e s 1.22 him after that he had numbred the people: and David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant, for t 1.23 I have done very foolishly.

11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, Davids * 1.24 seer u 1.25, saying,

12 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.

13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine x 1.26 come unto thee, in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.

14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait, let us fall now into the hand of the LORD y 1.27 (for his mercies are ‖ 1.28 great z 1.29) and let me not fall into the hand of man.

15 ¶ So the LORD sent a Pestilence upon Israel, from the morning even to the time appointed a 1.30: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba, seventy thousand men b 1.31.

16 And when the angel c 1.32 stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem d 1.33 to destroy it, * 1.34 the LORD re∣pented him of the evil e 1.35, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing-place of * 1.36 Araunah f 1.37 the Jebusite.

17 And David spake unto the LORD, when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me g 1.38, and against my fathers house h 1.39.

18 ¶ And Gad came that day to David i 1.40, and said unto him, Go up k 1.41, rear an altar unto the LORD, in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Je∣busite l 1.42.

19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up, as the LORD commanded.

20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king, and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king, on his face upon the ground.

21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant m 1.43? And David said, To buy the threshing-floor of thee to build an al∣tar unto the LORD, that ‡ 1.44 the plague may be stayed from the people.

22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: Behold, here be oxen n 1.45 for burnt▪sacrifice, and threshing-instruments, and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

23 All these things did Araunah, as a king o 1.46, give p 1.47 unto the king: and Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee q 1.48.

24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay, but I will shrely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD my God, of that which doth cost me nothing r 1.49. So David * 1.50 bought the threshing▪floor, and the oxen, for fifty shekels of silver s 1.51.

25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD t 1.52, and offered burnt-offerings u 1.53, and peace-offerings x 1.54: so the LORD was intreated for the land y 1.55, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Notes

• a 1.1

  To wit, after the former tokens of his Anger, such as the three years Famine, Chap. 21.
• ‖ 1.2

  Satan, See 1 Chron. 21. 1▪
• b 1.3

  He; Who? Either 1. Satan, as is Expressed, 1 Chron. 21. 1. Or, 2. God; who is said, in like manner, to stir up Saul against David, 1 Sam. 26. 19. and to turn the hearts of the Egyptians to hate his people, Psal. 105. 25. and to make men to err from his ways, Isa. 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 hindrances from them, and giveth occa∣sions 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 enti•…•…e 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 over-rules, that they shall be Punishments for their former Sins.
• c 1.4

  i. e. For Israels Punishment.
• d 1.5

  Or, saying. For this may be referred, either 1. to God, of whom the same Expression is used, 2 Sam. 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, 2. to David: he moved David to say, to wit, to Ioab, as he did, ver. 2.
• ‖ 1.6

  Or, Compass.
• e 1.7

  Which Expression points at David's Sin in this mat∣ter, that he numbred them, not by direction from God, nor for any important business of the Church or Kingdom; but out of meer curiosity, and pride, and vain-glory; ac∣companied 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 onely God saw them, and all the degrees and ag∣gravations of them in David; but even Ioab and the Cap∣tains of the Host were very sensible of them, ver. 3, 4.
• f 1.8

  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.
• g 1.9

  Ioab perceiving the King bent upon it, would not ha∣zard the King's favour, by further disputing, or disobeying his Command.
• h 1.10

  They began their Computation in the Eastern part of David's Dominions, which were beyond Iordan.
• i 1.11

  Or, encamped. For Ioab carried with them divers of his Com∣manders, and others; partly, for his Honour, and the cre∣dit of the Work: partly, to assist him in that troublesom Work: and partly, to overcome the People, in case they should Oppose it as sinful or burdensome, or favouring of some Evil Design which David might have upon them.
• ‖ 1.12

  Or, Valley.
• k 1.13

  i. e. Of the River which lay in the Tribe of Gad, or up∣on the borders of Gad and Reuben, which was called Ar∣non, Deut. 2. 36.
• l 1.14

  Or, near Iazer, which also was upon the River Arnon.
• m 1.15

  To Mount Gilead, which lay Northward from Arnon.
• ‖ 1.16

  Or, Nether land newly in∣habited.
• n 1.17

  A Place so called. Or, the low-land lately gained; i. e. not given by Ioshua, but taken lately from the Hagarens by Saul; which was near Gilead: 1 Chron. 5. 10.
• o 1.18

  i. e. Probably, the Famous City of Dan, as it is called, Iosh. 19. 47. Iudg. 18. 7. for this was in the Northern Border of the Land, and in the way from Gilead to Zidon.
• p 1.19

  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 it to be thought concerning Tyre, and the Cities which the Hivites and Canaanites yet Possessed in the Neighbour∣hood of Tyre and Sidon.
• q 1.20

  Obj. In 1 Chron. 21. 5. They are Numbred 1100 thou∣sand. Answ. The sum here Expressed, is onely of such as were not in the ordinary and settled Militia waiting upon the King, which being 24000 for every Month, as is large∣ly related, 1 Chron. 27. amounts to 288 Thousand, which either with their several Commanders, or with the Soldiers placed in several Garisons, might very well make up 300 Thousand. Or, 288 Thousand may pass in such accounts for 300 Thousand; it being frequent in such great Sums to neglect a smaller number. But in the Book of the Chro∣nicles, which was to gather up the Fragments omitted in the former Books, both sorts are put together, and so they amount to 1100 Thousand.
• r 1.21

  In 1 Chron. 21. 5. but 470 Thousand. Answ. Either, 1. they were exactly no more, but are called 500 Thousand in a round sum, as is usual in Scripture, and other Authors. Or, 2. the Garison-Soldiers, and such as were imployed in other Services about the King are here included, which are there excluded. Or, 3. They were 500 Thousand when Ioab gave up the Num∣ber to the King; though presently after that, they were but 470 Thousand, 30000 being slain by the Plague, in the Tribe of Iudah; which being David's own Tribe, it was but just and fit it should suffer more than the rest for this Sin. And though it be true, that Ioab gave up the Sum before the Plague begun, yet the Sacred Penman of the Book of Chronicles, thought fit to make a defalcation of them who had been swept away by the Plague, that the Judgment of God therein might be observed. Or, 4. there are included here the 30000 which belonged to the 30 Colonels mentioned Chap. 23. who are Excluded 1 Chron. 21. although it be questionable, whether those were all of the Tribe of Iudah.
• s 1.22

  His Conscience discerned his Sin, and he was heartily sorry for it. And the occasion of his Repentance was, Gods Message by the Prophet Gad, as it here follows, ver. 11. For when, &c. as formerly God's Message by Nathan had the same effect, 2 Sam. 12. Both which Passages are Noted, to shew how necessary the further and repeated sup∣plies of God's grace, are even to the best of men, to raise them when they fall into Sin.
• t 1.23

  Because I am sensible of my Sin and Folly, as it is more fully Expressed, Psal. 51. 5, 6. Or, although, as this Particle is oft used.
• * 1.24

  2 Ch•…•…. 29. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• u 1.25

  So called, because he was a Prophet (for such were called Seers, 1 Sam. 9. 9.) now and at other times employ∣ed by God to Reveal his Mind and Will to David. See 1 Sam. 22. 5. 1 Chron. 29. 29.
• x 1.26

  Obj. In 1 Chron. 21. 12. it is onely three years of famine. Ans. 1. Some conceive, that here was an Error in the Trans∣criber, and that the true Reading is, three years, as the LXX read it in this place, being supposed to have found it so in their Copi•…•…s, and that otherwise they durst never have presumed to make so great a change in the Text. 2. In Chron. he speaks ex∣actly of those years of Famine onely which came for Da∣vid's Sin: but here he speaks more confusedly and com∣prehensively, including those Three years of Famine sent for Saul's Sin, Chap. 21. And this Sin of David's was Committed in the Year next after them, which was in a manner a year of Famine; either, because it was the Sab∣batical Year, wherein they might not Sow, nor Reap: or rather, because not being able to Sow in the Third Yea•…•…▪ because of the Excessive Drought, they were not capable of Reaping this Fourth Year. And Three Years more being added to these Four, make up the Seven here mentioned. So the meaning of the Words is this, As thou hast alrea∣dy had Four Years of Famine, shall Three years more come? And that it is said of these Seven Years, that they shall come, it is a Synecdochical Expression frequent in Scrip∣ture, because part of the years were yet to come. Even as it is said of the Israelites, that they should wander in the wilderness forty years, Numb. 14. 33. when part of that time was already spent.
• y 1.27

  To wit, his immediate Stroke, which is chiefly in the Pestilence: for though the Sword and Famine be also God's Hand, yet there is also the hand of Man, or other Crea∣tures in them. The reason of this choice, was partly his Experience in, and confidence of God's great goodness: partly, because the other Judgments, especially the Sword, had been more dishonourable, not onely to David, but also to God, and to his People, and to the True Religion: and partly, because he having sinned himself, thought it just and reasonable to chuse such a Plague to which he was as obnoxious as his People; whereas, he had better fences fo•…•… himself against Sword and Famine than they had.
• ‖ 1.28

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• z 1.29

  And therefore will not exceed measure in his Strokes, as me•…•… will do.
• a 1.30

  Either, 1. From Morning to Evening, which is here called the time appointed; or, the time of the convention, or publick meeting, as this Hebrew Word oft signifies, i. e. till the time of the Evening-Prayer and Sacrifice, when the people used more solemnly to meet together. See Psal. 141. 2. Act. 3. 1. Thus God mitigated his Sentence, and turned three days into one; it being a thing not unusual with God, to qualifie his threatnings, and to take off the evil threatned sometimes wholly, as in Ninevehs Case, and sometimes in part. And this God might do here upon the speedy and serious Repentance of David, and of his People. Or rather, 2. from the morning, (or rather, from that morning; for the Article seems to be Emphatical, and to denote, That very morning in which Gad came to David, ver. 11. and that the Plague did immediately en∣sue after Gad's offer, and David's choice:) even to the time appointed; to wit, by God, i. e. for Three Days, as God had set the time, ver. 13. Object. If it continued Three Days, how is it said, That God repented him of the evil, and stopped the Angel in his course? ver. 16: Answ. This he did in the beginning of the Third Day, whereas otherwise it should have gone on to the end of the Day. Or, it may signify no more but this; At the end of the third day God gave over smiting: for then is God said (after the manner of men) to repent, when he ceaseth to proceed as before he had done.
• b 1.31

  So the number of his people, which was the matter of his pride and glorying, was diminished.
• c 1.32

  Which appeared in the shape of a Man with a Sword in his hand, 1 Chron. 21. 16. to convince them more fully that this was no natural nor common Plague, but inflicted immediately by the hand of God.
• d 1.33

  Which he had begun to smite, and was proceeding to make a far greater slaugh∣ter.
• * 1.34

  •…•… Sam. 15. 11.
• e 1.35

  i. e. He moderated, and in part recalled his Sentence of the Plagues continuance for three whole days, and this he did upon David's Prayers and Sacrifices, as appears from v. 25. though these be mentioned afterward.
• * 1.36

  •…•… Chron. 21. 1•…•…, 20, 21.
• f 1.37

  Called also Araunah in the Hebrew of v. 18. and Ornan, 1 Chron. 21. 22. such changes in the pronunciation of the names being usual in Scripture.
• g 1.38

  Wherein David shews his Justice, and Piety, and Fa∣therly care of his people, and that he was a Type of Christ.
• h 1.39

  Against my nearest Relations, who probably either put Da∣vid upon, or encouraged him in this action, because they were no less vain-glorious than David; and the honour which they thought would come to David thereby, would also re∣dound to them; or, at least they did not use their utmost indeavours to dissuade David from it, as they should have done, and therefore were involved in David's guilt. How∣soever it was but fit and reasonable that his Family which did partake of his honour and happiness, should also partake in his suffering, rather than those who were less related to him. Nor doth David absolutely desire that they may suf∣fer, but onely speaks comparatively, and by way of suppo∣sition, and with reference to Gods good pleasure.
• i 1.40

  By command from God, v. 19. 1 Chron. 21. 18.
• k 1.41

  To Mount Moriah.
• l 1.42

  Which place God appointed for this work, partly, in Gracious condescension to, and compliance with David's fear of going to Gibeon, which is expressed 1 Chron. 21. 29, 30. partly, because this was the place where God by his Angel appeared in a threatning posture, where therefore it was meet he should be appeased: and partly, because God would hereby signify the translation of the Ta∣bernacle from Gibeon hither, and the erection of the Tem∣ple here, 2 Chron. 3. 1.
• m 1.43

  Wherefore doth the King do me this honour, and give himself the trouble of coming to me?
• ‡ 1.44

  Sacrifices may be offer∣ed, and so.
• n 1.45

  Which were employed by him in his present work, which was threshing, 1 Chron. 21. 20. See the notes on Deut. 25. 4.
• o 1.46

  The Particle, as, being understood, as it oft is in the Hebrew: i. e. with a Royal bounty. Or, Araunah the king▪ as he might be called, either, because he was King of the Iebusites before David took their City: or, because he was the Son and Heir of that King.
• p 1.47

  He not onely offered, but actually gave them, i. e. he actually resigned his right and property in them unto David; for so he did; and Da∣vid by his refusal returned it to Araunah again.
• q 1.48

  He was a Iebusite by Nation, but an hearty Proselyte: which made him so liberal in his offers to Gods service, and the common good of Gods people.
• r 1.49

  For this would be both dishonourable to God, as if I thought him not worthy of a costly Sacrifice: and a dispa∣ragement to my self, as if I were unable or unwilling to of∣fer a Sacrifice of my own goods: and unsatisfactory to the command of God, which obligeth all offenders, and me in a particular manner, to offer Sacrifice of their own Estate.
• * 1.50

  1 Chr. 21▪
• s 1.51

  Obj. In 1 Chron. 21. 25. he is said to give for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. Ans. These two places may be fairly reconciled divers ways. First, Here he speaks of the price paid for the threshing-floor, and oxen, and Instru∣ments; and there for the whole place adjoyning, on which the Temple and its Courts were built, which certainly was very much larger than this Threshing-floor, and probably had Araunah's House, if not some others, now built upon it. Secondly, The Shekels here may be of Gold; and in 1 Chron. 21. of Silver; and so the proportion of Gold to Silver be∣ing that of twelve to one, 50 Shekels of Gold make 600 Shekels of Silver. And whereas it may be objected, That on the contrary these 50 Shekels are said to be of Silver, and the 600 of Gold; this they answer by another translation of the words. For they render this place thus, agreeably enough to the words and the order of the Hebrew Text, he bought them for silver, (or, for money, as the Hebrew word Ch•…•…seph, oft signifies, and particularly in this very History in the Parallel place, 1 Chron. 21. 24. where David desires to buy it for the full price, or for full money, where in the Hebrew it is for full silver): even for fifty shekels, to wit, of Gold, as it is expressed 1 Chron. 21. 25. which place they render thus, and that consonantly to the Hebrew, he gave shekels of gold of the value (for the Hebrew word Mishk•…•…l, signifies value as well as weight, as was before noted on 2 Sam. 12. 30.) of six hundred shekels, to wit, of Silver. And this may seem added in the Book of the Chronicles, lest it should be thought that the 50 Shekels here mentioned were but common and Silver Shekels. Thirdly, There is a considerable difference in the Phrase in these two places. Here he mentions for what David bought it, or what he was obliged to give for it; and in Chronicles what he actually gave for it, to wit, of his Royal bounty, over and besides the full price of it: which was decent and convenient for so great a King, and especially upon so great an occasion, and to him who had given him such a noble example.
• t 1.52

  Which he might well do, having Gods command for it, and the place being Sanctified by Gods special presence in and by the Angel.
• u 1.53

  To make atonement for his sins.
• x 1.54

  To praise God for his Gracious manifestation of himself.
• y 1.55

  As appeared both by fire from Heaven, which consumed the Sacrifices, as was usual in such cases: and by the speedy ces∣sation of the Plague.