This verse, 1 Chronicles 21:10, is a pivotal moment in the story of David's census. It sets up a scene where God offers David a choice of punishments for his sin. Let's break it down:
"Go and speak to David...": This means God is sending a prophet (in this case, Gad, as seen in verse 9) to deliver a message to David.
"...saying, 'Yahweh says...'": This emphasizes that the message is directly from God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God, often translated as "LORD"). This is not the prophet's own opinion or suggestion.
"...'I offer you three things...'": This is the crux of the verse. God is presenting David with a choice. It highlights God's sovereignty. He could simply punish David, but he is offering David a degree of agency (limited as it is) in choosing the form of his punishment.
"...Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.'": David must select one of the three calamities that God will inflict upon Israel. This is a serious decision with grave consequences for the entire nation. The following verses (1 Chronicles 21:11-12) describe the three options:
Three years of famine
Three months of being swept away before his enemies
Three days of pestilence (plague) from God's angel.
In summary, the verse highlights:
God's Authority: God initiates the communication and dictates the terms.
David's Sin: While not explicitly stated in this verse, it's implied that David has sinned (taking the census was considered an act of pride and distrust in God's provision and protection).
God's Mercy/Justice: God offers David a choice, but it is a choice among punishments. This demonstrates both judgment and a limited form of mercy in allowing David to participate in the selection of the consequences.
Consequences: Whatever David chooses, the consequences will be severe and affect the entire nation of Israel.
The verse sets the stage for David's agonizing decision and the unfolding consequences in the rest of the chapter. It's a critical point in understanding the themes of sin, judgment, and God's sovereignty in the narrative.
This verse, 1 Chronicles 21:10, is a pivotal moment in the story of David's census. It sets up a scene where God offers David a choice of punishments for his sin. Let's break it down:
"Go and speak to David...": This means God is sending a prophet (in this case, Gad, as seen in verse 9) to deliver a message to David.
"...saying, 'Yahweh says...'": This emphasizes that the message is directly from God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God, often translated as "LORD"). This is not the prophet's own opinion or suggestion.
"...'I offer you three things...'": This is the crux of the verse. God is presenting David with a choice. It highlights God's sovereignty. He could simply punish David, but he is offering David a degree of agency (limited as it is) in choosing the form of his punishment.
"...Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.'": David must select one of the three calamities that God will inflict upon Israel. This is a serious decision with grave consequences for the entire nation. The following verses (1 Chronicles 21:11-12) describe the three options:
Three years of famine
Three months of being swept away before his enemies
Three days of pestilence (plague) from God's angel.
In summary, the verse highlights:
God's Authority: God initiates the communication and dictates the terms.
David's Sin: While not explicitly stated in this verse, it's implied that David has sinned (taking the census was considered an act of pride and distrust in God's provision and protection).
God's Mercy/Justice: God offers David a choice, but it is a choice among punishments. This demonstrates both judgment and a limited form of mercy in allowing David to participate in the selection of the consequences.
Consequences: Whatever David chooses, the consequences will be severe and affect the entire nation of Israel.
The verse sets the stage for David's agonizing decision and the unfolding consequences in the rest of the chapter. It's a critical point in understanding the themes of sin, judgment, and God's sovereignty in the narrative.