And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

2 SAMUEL 24:25KJV
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2 Samuel 24:25 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 24:25 mean?

2 Samuel 24:25 describes how David built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt and peace offerings, after which God responded to David’s plea and stopped the plague that had been afflicting Israel. The verse shows that David’s act of worship and sacrifice led to God’s mercy and the end of the disaster.

In this verse, David is the king of Israel, and he is responding to a plague that came upon the nation as a consequence of his earlier actions. David builds the altar at the place God directed, offers sacrifices, and the LORD (the God of Israel) is moved by this act. The verse marks the turning point where God’s anger is turned away, and the suffering of the people comes to an end.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 24:25

  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word refers to a specific structure for offering sacrifices to God. The building of an altar here signals a formal act of worship and obedience.
  • "offered" (וַיַּעַל, va-ya’al): This verb means to bring up or offer, often used for sacrifices. It emphasizes David’s active role in presenting offerings to God.
  • "burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, olot) and "peace offerings" (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim): Burnt offerings were completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication, while peace offerings were shared and symbolized restored relationship. Both types highlight different aspects of David’s approach to God—seeking forgiveness and restored fellowship.
  • "intreated" (וַיֵּעָתֵר, vayye’ater): This word means to be moved by prayer or entreaty. It shows that God responded favorably to David’s actions and prayers, not automatically but as a result of sincere appeal.

Why 2 Samuel 24:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the end of the plague was directly connected to David’s obedience in building the altar and offering the right sacrifices, not just a random event or the passing of time.
  • The mention of both burnt and peace offerings shows that David sought both forgiveness and restored relationship with God, giving a fuller picture of biblical worship.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing the importance of following God’s instructions exactly, and it marks the site that would later become the location for Solomon’s temple, making it a significant moment in Israel’s history.