2 Samuel 24:12

Verse

“Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

Go and speak unto David, Thus saith Jehovah, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

Bible in Basic English

Go and say to David, The Lord says, Three things are offered to you: say which of them you will have, and I will do it to you.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Go, and say to David: Thus saith the Lord: I give thee thy choice of three things, choose one of them which thou wilt, that I may do it to thee.

Free Bible Version

“Go and tell David that this is what the Lord says: ‘I'm giving you three options. Choose one of them, and that's what I'll do to you.’”

Geneva Bible 1599

Go, and say vnto Dauid, Thus saith ye Lord, I offer thee three thinges, chuse thee which of them I shall doe vnto thee.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

“Go and tell this to David: ‘I am allowing you to choose one of three things to punish you. I will do whichever one you choose.’ ”

Unlocked Literal Bible

“Go say to David: 'This is what Yahweh says: “I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them.”'”

Noah Webster Bible

Go and say to David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things ; choose thee one of them, that I may do it to thee.

World English Bible

“Go and speak to David, ‘Yahweh says, “I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.”’”

Young's Literal Translation

'Go, and thou hast spoken unto David, Thus said Jehovah: Three — I am lifting up for thee, choose thee one of them, and I do [it] to thee.'

Context

Judgment for David’s Sin

¹¹When David got up in the morning, a revelation from the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer:¹²“Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”

Summary

In this verse, after David sinned by taking a census of the people, he is given three options for punishment by the prophet Gad. David chooses to fall into the hands of the Lord, recognizing that God's mercy is greater than punishment from men. This decision reflects David's humility and trust in God's sovereignty, acknowledging that it is better to face the consequences of his sin directly from the Lord rather than from human authorities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance, submission to God's will, and the belief in His ultimate justice and mercy.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Go, and say unto David,.... Not my servant David, as Nathan was bid to say to him when it was in his heart to build an house for him, Sa2 7:5; but now he had sinned and displeased the Lord, and therefore it is only plain David: thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things; or lay them before thee to consider of which thou wouldest have done; the Targum is,"one of three things I cast upon thee,''as a burden to bear; one of the three I will certainly inflict upon thee by way of chastisement: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee; here is mercy mixed with judgment; the Lord is angry, yet shows great condescension and goodness; a sovereign Being, who could have imposed what punishment he pleased, and even all the three after mentioned, yet resolves but on one, and leaves that to the option of David.