Topical Bible: Gad: A Prophet to David

◄ Gad: A Prophet to David ►

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Gad, a significant prophetic figure in the Hebrew Bible, served as a prophet to King David. His role is primarily documented in the books of Samuel, Chronicles, and Kings. Gad's ministry is marked by his direct communication with God and his influence on David's reign, providing guidance, correction, and divine insight.

Biblical References and Role

Gad first appears in 1 Samuel 22:5, where he advises David, who is then fleeing from King Saul, to leave the stronghold of Moab and return to the land of Judah. The Berean Standard Bible records this directive: "But the prophet Gad said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart, and go into the land of Judah.' So David left and went into the forest of Hereth." This early interaction establishes Gad as a trusted divine messenger to David.

Gad's most notable involvement occurs during the latter part of David's reign. In 2 Samuel 24, David orders a census of Israel and Judah, an act that incurs God's displeasure. As a result, God sends Gad to present David with three options for judgment: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses the plague, demonstrating his reliance on God's mercy. The BSB recounts Gad's message in 2 Samuel 24:13: "So Gad went and said to David, 'Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land, or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you, or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.'"

Gad's role extends beyond delivering messages of judgment. In 1 Chronicles 21, after the plague strikes Israel, Gad instructs David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. This act of obedience leads to the cessation of the plague. The BSB states in 1 Chronicles 21:18: "Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

Gad's Influence and Legacy

Gad's influence on David is profound, as he serves not only as a prophet but also as a seer, a term indicating his role in receiving and interpreting divine visions. 1 Chronicles 29:29 mentions Gad in the context of recording the acts of King David: "As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet, and the records of Gad the seer."

Gad's contributions to David's reign highlight the importance of prophetic guidance in the governance of Israel. His interventions at critical moments underscore the necessity of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of deviating from divine will. Through Gad, David receives both correction and direction, illustrating the dynamic relationship between the king and the prophet.

Conclusion

Gad's ministry as a prophet to David is characterized by his unwavering commitment to delivering God's messages, whether they be warnings, judgments, or instructions for worship. His presence in the biblical narrative serves as a testament to the vital role of prophets in guiding Israel's leaders according to God's purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 24:11
For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The History of David
... David rose on the morn early, and the word of our Lord came to Gad the prophet saying:
that he should go to David and bid him choose one of three things that ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and ...
... his supplication, he caused the pestilence to cease, and sent Gad the prophet to
him ... When David heard that, he did not neglect his duty, but made haste to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 that when david.htm

National Sins and Miseries
... So "the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel, from the morning," wherein Gad the prophet
gave David his choice of war, famine, or pestilence, "unto the evening ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 130 national sins and.htm

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... And Gad the prophet delivered it to Shemaiah the teacher ... a city which Soliman, son
of King David, had built ... of King Menasse, who sawed Esaia the prophet asunder ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

David's Sorrow.
... Then the prophet Gad said, "Go up, rear an altar to the Lord in the
threshing-floor of Araunah," and David went as the Lord commanded. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

The Hatred of the King Towards Him Increased Daily...
... By-and-by, under the instructions of the prophet Gad, he returned into the land
of ... time, Saul slew Abimelech the priest because he had received David; and when ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxv the hatred of.htm

That Upon the Slaughter of Ishbosheth by the Treachery of his ...
... he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet, he and ... the only tribe that came universally
in to David, and all these had the same weapons with the tribe of Gad. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 that upon the.htm

The History Books
... of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel
the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iv the history books.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment
of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... His coming, and that after it prophet and vision ... David was anointed of old, and Solomon,
and Hezekiah ... place stood, and prophets were prophesying, Gad and Asaph ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm