Gad
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Fortune; a troop”
A prophet and seer who advised David from his fugitive years onward and brought him God’s word of judgment after the census.
Biography
Gad was a prophet — called "the seer" and "David's seer" — who served as a voice of God to David across his reign. He first appears while David was still a fugitive, advising him to leave the stronghold and return to Judah (1 Samuel 22:5).
After the census
His most significant appearance came after David sinfully numbered Israel. The LORD sent Gad to offer David a choice of three judgments; David chose to fall into the hand of the LORD, and a plague followed. Gad then directed David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah — the future site of the temple (2 Samuel 24:11–19).
Chronicler of the reign
Gad also helped order the temple worship with David, and the acts of David were written "in the book of Gad the seer" (1 Chronicles 29:29) — making him both a prophet and an early recorder of Israel's history.
Life Timeline
Advises the fugitive David to return to Judah
Brings God’s word to David after the census
On the Bible timeline
Gad belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Gad
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Gad appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
1 verses in 1 book1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 29:29
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, book: or, history: Heb. words
Frequently asked about Gad
Who was Gad in the Bible?
A prophet and seer who advised David from his fugitive years onward and brought him God’s word of judgment after the census.
What does the name Gad mean?
The name Gad means “Fortune; a troop”.
What did Gad do in the Bible?
Gad served as prophet.
Where does Gad appear in the Bible?
Gad is mentioned 1 time across 1 book: 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Gad?
The story of Gad touches on themes of prophets, samuel, sciences — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Gad's life.
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