2 Samuel 24:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered 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 I have done very foolishly.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David's conscience strikes him, and he confesses his sin to the LORD, begging that his guilt be taken away.
What Does 2 Samuel 24:10 Mean?
Once the count is done, David's own heart convicts him. He turns to the LORD with open confession: I have sinned greatly, take away the iniquity of your servant, I have done very foolishly. There is no excuse, no shifting of blame, only the plain admission of guilt and a plea for mercy.
This is the mark of a heart still tender toward God. David does not defend himself; he names his sin and casts himself on grace. The same king who would not heed Joab's warning now bows before the LORD's. True repentance is not merely feeling sorry but coming honestly before God with our wrong, asking Him to lift the weight we cannot carry. In this, David points us to the only One who can truly take away iniquity.
2 Samuel 24:10 in the Original Language
avon (עָוֺן), 'iniquity' -- guilt together with the burden of wrongdoing that must be carried away.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 24:10
What does 2 Samuel 24:10 mean?
David's conscience strikes him, and he confesses his sin to the LORD, begging that his guilt be taken away.