Was David offered 3 or 7 years of famine?

Short Answer: Was David offered 3 or 7 years of famine?

In 1 Chronicles 21:12, we encounter the same story as in 2 Samuel 24:13, where David is presented with three choices as a consequence of his sin:

1. Three years of famine.
2. Three months of destruction by his foes.
3. Three days of the sword of the LORD, symbolized by pestilence.

The use of numbers in the Bible holds significant meaning, and God often uses them to convey spiritual lessons. The number seven, in particular, signifies completion or fullness. When we understand the deeper meaning of the number seven, we can understand its implications in various contexts. For example, when the king ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter in Daniel 3:19 it wasn’t merely a literal multiplication of heat; it signified extreme intensity and completion.

The seven years mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:13 and the three years in 1 Chronicles 21:12 are not contradictory. Rather, they are complementary, representing the same concept of completion or fullness of the famine. In the case of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:21, she bore five children, which consisted of three sons and two daughters, making a total of five. However, when she referred to herself in her song (1 Samuel 2:5) as having “born seven,” it demonstrated that her five children were the fullness and completion (seven) of her desire for offspring.

So was David offered three or seven years of famine? With Gad’s choices for David, the three years signify completion (7), equivalent to the concept of seven years’ fulfillment. The three years were complete (7). The Bible never contradicts itself, and understanding the spiritual meanings behind numbers allows us to grasp the deeper wisdom and divine lessons conveyed within its texts. Seeking understanding and insight into the Scriptures is crucial for unraveling the profound truths and messages present throughout God’s Word.

Scripture Outline:

• 1 Chron. 21:12 same story – 3 YEARS
  • David offered
    • 3 years of famine
    • 3 months destroyed by thy foes
    • 3 days the sword of the LORD (the pestilence)
• Rev. 13:18 – “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count…”
  • God uses numbers to teach lessons
• 7 years = 3 years when you understand 7 has a meaning (more than just a number)
  • 7 means being finished, to full, to completion
    • Ex. King said heat the furnace 7 times hotter (Dan. 3:19)
      • Simply multiplying that heat by seven would be way hotter than the surface of the sun
  • 7 is not just a number; 7 has a meaning with that number
  • The 7 years (2 Sam. 24:13) & 3 years (1 Chron. 21:12) are not contradictory: they mean the exact same thing (the 3 years is equal to 7 which means it’s completed, to its full)
• Hannah’s “Seven” Example
  • 1 Sam. 2:21 Hannah bore 5 children
• 3 sons + 2 daughters = 5 children
  • 1 Sam. 2:5 Hannah’s song about herself – the barren hath born seven
  • With Hannah, 5 = 7 because 5 equals the completion (7) of it
  • With Gad, 3 = 7 because 3 equals the completion (7) of something
• The Bible NEVER contradicts itself – it’s all about getting understanding