Description

A 17th century oil on canvas painting depicting the plaque in the time Of King David. The second book of Samuel recounts King David’s arrogance and desire for power. Filled with remorse for his pride he asked God for a punishment. God offers him a choice of three punishments: famine, war or plague and David chooses the latter. After 70,000 perish after three days of plague the Angel of Death holding a skull and sword arrives to destroy Jerusalem. David pleads to God through the prophet Gad for mercy. David is instructed by God to construct an altar of sacrifice before which he kneels. The arrangement of this painting has been taken from a print by Marten de Vos (1532-1603).