Definition: And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great [are] his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 21:13. It's a really important and somewhat complex passage about David’s situation and how he felt about God’s mercy. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: David was feeling incredibly overwhelmed and worried. He felt like he was in a difficult, narrow place – a “great strait.” He wasn't sure what the future held, and he was afraid of falling into something bad or undesirable. However, he recognized that God’s mercy is so great that it’s worth embracing. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And David said unto Gad…” : This tells us we're talking about David speaking to his son Gad. “…I am in a great strait:” David was facing a challenge or difficulty that felt very confining and limiting. “Strait” means a narrow path, a restricted area – it suggests a difficult situation. “let me fall now into the hand of the LORD…” : He wasn’t looking for a comfortable or easy solution. He wanted to surrender completely to God's mercy. He was asking for a place where he could be completely and unconditionally cared for. “…for very great are his mercies:” This is the key part. “Mercy” means compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and help. David recognized that God’s mercy was extraordinarily large – incredibly generous. “but let me not fall into the hand of man.” : This is a crucial phrase. It's a warning! He wasn't asking for a passive acceptance of his situation. Instead, he wanted to resist being controlled or manipulated by anyone – including human judgment or their own desires. Overall Meaning: David was expressing a deep humility and recognizing that God’s love is so profound that it's worth resisting any attempt to control or limit him. He was seeking refuge in God’s mercy, rather than seeking to be controlled by anything else. It speaks to the importance of trusting God even when things are difficult. Why is this important? This verse is a powerful reminder of: God's Unconditional Love: It emphasizes that God loves us completely, regardless of our mistakes or circumstances. Resisting Temptation: It’s a call to stay true to your faith and resist being swayed by negative influences. Seeking Guidance: It encourages us to turn to God for strength and direction when we're facing challenges. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme? Discuss the historical context of this passage?