“And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, 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 threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.”
This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Samuel 24, which describes King David’s sin of numbering the people of Israel. David’s actions displeased the Lord, and as a consequence, God sent a three-day plague upon Israel.
Now, let’s break down the verse and explore its significance:
“And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it…”: In response to David’s sin, God sent an angel to bring destruction upon Jerusalem. This was a consequence of David’s disobedience and a display of God’s righteous judgment.
“…the Lord repented him of the evil…”: Here, the term “repented” does not imply that God was changing His character or regretting His decision, but rather it shows His compassion and mercy. God chose to withhold complete destruction from Jerusalem due to His love for His people.
“…and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand.”
God intervened and commanded the angel to cease the destruction. God’s command signifies His sovereignty and authority over even the angelic beings. It reveals His ultimate control over the situation and His ability to exercise mercy.
“And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.”: The verse concludes by mentioning the location of the angel when God halted the destruction. The threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite becomes significant in the subsequent verses, as it becomes the designated site for an altar David purchases to offer sacrifices to God.
Overall, this verse portrays God’s response to David’s sin and His willingness to show mercy. It reminds us of God’s sovereignty, His ability to intervene in human affairs, and His capacity for compassion even in the midst of judgment. The verse also sets the stage for further events and the establishment of the altar at Araunah’s threshing floor, which becomes significant in the subsequent chapters of 2 Samuel.
