שמואל ב, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ד

King David faces a tragic and impossible decision, forced to select one of three devastating national punishments: famine, war, or plague. Confronted with these destructive options, he recognizes the limits and flaws of human compassion, ultimately deciding to place the fate of the nation directly into the hands of a merciful God.

The sheer burden of making this choice causes David profound distress [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He feels an intense pressure [מצודת ציון], acutely aware that even the mildest of the three options is completely unbearable [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Some suggest that his brief cry of anguish actually contains a subtle reference to all three threats: the stinginess brought on by famine, the relentless pursuit of enemies, and the sheer intensity of a plague [חומת אנך].

The primary approach among commentators is that David ultimately selects the plague. He prefers a punishment that serves as a direct expression of Divine providence over one dictated by the natural world, like famine, or one driven by human free will, like war [מלבי״ם]. A major factor in this decision is his deep desire to avoid being subjected to human hands. If a famine were to strike, the people would be forced to rely on the goodwill of wealthy individuals hoarding food, or they would have to wander into foreign lands to find bread. This would leave them vulnerable to human cruelty and international disgrace. Similarly, running away from an enemy army in battle would result in profound national humiliation [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

David's choice also highlights his deep sensitivity as a leader. He knows that if he were to choose war, the public might accuse him of feeling personally safe behind the strength of his army. If he chose famine, they could claim he was relying on his royal wealth while the rest of the nation starved. The plague, however, is an entirely equal threat, striking without distinguishing between the rich and the poor, or the king and the common citizen [רש״י, רד״ק]. Furthermore, while famine and war leave their victims battered and abandoned in the streets, a plague takes its toll without subjecting the fallen to such public indignity [רד״ק].