2 Samuel 24:14

Gad is a prophet of God who spoke on His behalf. He was the “message” person between David and God at this time in his life. David took a census of the people of Israel and felt guilty immediately after it was done. Gad came to David on God’s behalf and gave David a choice of punishment. The options were 3 years of famine, 3 months of David fleeing his enemies, or 3 days of severe plague throughout the land. Once these choices were expressed, David said our verse.

With all that David had been through, he knew that God was merciful, even though He is just. David knew that God could change the punishment if He wished to. But humans could end up killing him. David trusted that God could/would show more mercy than anyone else.

I read this entire chapter trying to figure out why it read that GOD told him to take the census, but then GOD punished him for doing it. So I realized GAD did not speak FOR God and tell David to do this. I looked it up and 1st Chronicles chapter 21 is a cross reference. There is mention that Satan caused David to take the census! No wonder David was grateful for God’s mercy in this situation!