2 Samuel 24:13

Authorized King James Version

So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הֲתָב֣וֹא

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גָ֥ד

H1410

So Gad

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֖ד

H1732

to David

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיַּגֶּד

H5046

and told

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֑וֹ

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

him and said

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֡וֹ

הֲתָב֣וֹא

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#10

לְךָ֣

#11

שֶֽׁבַע

H7651

unto him Shall seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

#12

שָׁנִ֣ים׀

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

#13

רָעָ֣ב׀

H7458

of famine

hunger (more or less extensive)

#14

בְּאַרְצֶ֔ךָ

H776

in thy land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#15

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#16

שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת

H7969

thee or that there be three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

#17

חֳ֠דָשִׁים

H2320

months

the new moon; by implication, a month

#18

נֻֽסְךָ֙

H5127

or wilt thou flee

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

#19

לִפְנֵֽי

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#20

צָרֶ֜יךָ

H6862

thine enemies

a pebble (as in h6864)

#21

וְה֣וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#22

רֹֽדְפֶ֗ךָ

H7291

while they pursue

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

#23

וְאִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#24

הֱ֠יוֹת

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#25

שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת

H7969

thee or that there be three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

#26

יָמִ֥ים

H3117

days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#27

דֶּ֙בֶר֙

H1698

pestilence

a pestilence

#28

בְּאַרְצֶ֔ךָ

H776

in thy land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#29

עַתָּה֙

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#30

דַּ֣ע

H3045

now advise

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#31

וּרְאֵ֔ה

H7200

and see

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#32

מָה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#33

אָשִׁ֥יב

H7725

I shall return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#34

שֹֽׁלְחִ֖י

H7971

to him that sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#35

דָּבָֽר׃

H1697

what answer

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

Related Resources

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