2 Samuel 24:1-25
24:1 There is some confusion to this verse. In this chapter, it is written that God instructed David to do a census of Israel and Judah. However, in 1 Chronicles 21, it is written that it was actually Satan who convinced David to do a census. If it is actually Satan behind David's intention to count the citizens, it is a display of evil trying to claim what does not belong to it (such as temptation and violence does).
24:2 We might not be certain of David's motivations, but here we learn that he does initiate the census.
24:3-4 More evidence supports the idea that David was not commanded by God to do this census: Joab is willing to follow David orders but he questions them. Throughout this book, Joab has proven to be a bold and opinionated man; he would not have second-guessed David without good reason. Still, Joab is loyal and David persisted, so he left to do a census of the people.
24:5-9 Therefore Joab and his men went throughout region after region counting the men of Israel and Judah: 800,000 men in Israel and 500,000 men in Judah. In these times, a nation's military truly determined its ability to exist. Since men made up the armies, it was their count that mattered most to a king.
24:10 David apologizes to God after doing the census; God is not the one who sanctioned the census. The fact that David was tempted to count the men suggested some weakness of straying from his faith. Fear and enemy might tempt us to count our stores, question our strength, or seek material reinforcement. Conversely, faith tells us plainly that all we need for protection is God. It should not have mattered to David whether or not he had an impressive army. God is the army and He cannot be defeated.
This relates to our own lives because various circumstances cause us to question whether or not we can rely on God. As if He has limits, we face new circumstances and stop trusting that He has the strength and willingness to help us through them. In Numbers 11:23 God asks Moses: has the Lord's arm been shortened? It is a rhetorical question, meant to remind us that God's ability does not diminish. New circumstances arise but our God remains the same powerful and generous God He has always been.
So, whenever we wonder if we are qualified enough for something, strong enough, brave enough, tall enough, smart enough... whatever it is, we must remember that God fills our deficiencies. David did not have to worry about the size of the army because a faithful relationship with God ensures protection and victory. In Deuteronomy 20:8 it is written that those who are afraid are not required in battle; God easily sends the weak in faith home because He does not need numbers. Faith wins battles, not numbers.
24:11-13 The prophet Gad brings a message from God to David. David has three options to chose from: seven years of fame, three months hiding in the wilderness, or three days plague. This is a lesson from God, not a punishment. The discipline is meant to strengthened David's faith and therefore David's strength against the temptation and faithlessness that brings destruction.
24:14 David does not choose to suffer alone; he has spent his life in hiding before and the memory causes him to make a selfish decision. God raises us to be selfish, humble creatures who take responsibility for our own actions... not just because it's the right thing to do but because we have compassion for others.
24:15-16 A plague therefore comes to the land from God through an angel of the Lord because of David (this would weigh more heavily on David than the option he declined). For if David had chosen to flee, he alone would have suffered. His choice caused many others to suffer, but he saved himself. This is another lesson that our choices have consequences that affect others, not just ourselves.
Side note: Notice that God has angels who work for Him. Like us, they are fellow-workers with God. God strengthens you here on earth for a purpose. But what we learn here also qualifies us for positions and opportunities to work with Him when we graduate this level of life. In the Spirit, we can be just as productive and faithful as we are here, perhaps more so. Obedience and humility are required (our time on Earth is a great opportunity to build that skill set!)
24:17 David realizes his selfish mistake. He suffers to see so many innocent people harmed because of his own poor choices. Suddenly, David does not shy away from punishment; he admits his sin, and even asks God to punish him for what he has done. The lesson from David is to be brave and take responsibility for your mistakes. God does not expect perfection but he does expect honesty and good intentions. When we mess up, we have to take ownership to learn and grow from our mess.
God does not delight in punishing us. When we fall, He wants to pick us us. He only allows us to feel to wound so that we will learn and remember not to make the mistake that caused us (or others) pain. He is not cruel. His discipline is administered as a loving father and He is lenient when we are honest with him and compassionate with others.
24:14 David does not choose to suffer alone; he has spent his life in hiding before and the memory causes him to make a selfish decision. God raises us to be selfish, humble creatures who take responsibility for our own actions... not just because it's the right thing to do but because we have compassion for others.
24:15-16 A plague therefore comes to the land from God through an angel of the Lord because of David (this would weigh more heavily on David than the option he declined). For if David had chosen to flee, he alone would have suffered. His choice caused many others to suffer, but he saved himself. This is another lesson that our choices have consequences that affect others, not just ourselves.
Side note: Notice that God has angels who work for Him. Like us, they are fellow-workers with God. God strengthens you here on earth for a purpose. But what we learn here also qualifies us for positions and opportunities to work with Him when we graduate this level of life. In the Spirit, we can be just as productive and faithful as we are here, perhaps more so. Obedience and humility are required (our time on Earth is a great opportunity to build that skill set!)
24:17 David realizes his selfish mistake. He suffers to see so many innocent people harmed because of his own poor choices. Suddenly, David does not shy away from punishment; he admits his sin, and even asks God to punish him for what he has done. The lesson from David is to be brave and take responsibility for your mistakes. God does not expect perfection but he does expect honesty and good intentions. When we mess up, we have to take ownership to learn and grow from our mess.
God does not delight in punishing us. When we fall, He wants to pick us us. He only allows us to feel to wound so that we will learn and remember not to make the mistake that caused us (or others) pain. He is not cruel. His discipline is administered as a loving father and He is lenient when we are honest with him and compassionate with others.
24:18-21 David approaches the threshing floor (a hard, level surface on which grain is threshed) of a man named Araunah. He wants to purchase it and create an altar for God to show God that he has learned his lesson.
24:22-23 Araunah gives the space to David as well as livestock and anything else he might need. (Only a faithful man would give so much away so easily if it was meant to be given to God - imagine giving up something important to you). Araunah sincerely prays that David will receive the restoration of his relationship with God.
24:24 Araunah is willing to give everything to David for free (he loves God and has a generous, humble heart). But this also provides a choice and a lesson for David. If this sacrifice costs David nothing, it is insincere. After all, it is easy to give away something that does not belong to you. Instead, David purchases everything he wishes to sacrifice to God from Araunah so that the sacrifice is heartfelt and directly from David.
24:25 So David builds an altar for God and provides offerings. The plague in Israel is withdrawn because the righteousness of the king is restored. David's mistake was a reminder that selfish choices made by leaders hurt their followers. Remember that we are all leaders in some way (as siblings, friends, parents, neighbors, teachers, bosses, cohorts). Our example and our influence in the world matters and makes a difference.
