Question:
Why was King David given a choice of punishments in Divrei Hayamim 1 21:9? Do we find anyone else being given such a choice?
Answer:
The Malbim explains that David was told that he really should get all three punishments, however if he will accept one of them upon himself then he will be spared the other two. When a person accepts the divine punishment upon himself it is always less than it would have been otherwise see Ohr Hachaim Bereshis 46:7 “Samei D’yisurei Kibulei” “the medicine for affliction ( and make them go away) is to accept them”.
I don’t know of anyone else in Nach that was indeed given such a choice.
I couldn’t find the phrase in Ohr Hachaim to Bereishis 48:7.
Please could you send a copy of the Hebrew text by email?
You are right it isn’t 48:7 rather 46:7 Divrei Hamashil Bonov, about three quarters of the way down.
Thanks for the correction!
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