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2 Samuel 24:1–9
Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah” (v. 1).
The books of Samuel close with a narrative that begins with sin on David’s part. And yet, this story reveals just what sort of man David was at heart, for he repents of his transgression and throws himself on the mercy of God, as every believer must do when he rebels against the one he calls Lord.
The sequence of events begins in the undefined past, when some unspecified sin by the people of Israel (likely idolatry) angers God. In order to chasten His people for this sin, God moves David to take an improper action. It appears from this passage that God is causing David to sin, but such contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture (James 1:13). Thankfully, 1 Chronicles 21:1 provides clarity—God actually allows Satan to lead David into sin. “God, as righteous Judge, permitted it, with a design, from this sin of David, to take an occasion to punish Israel for other sins, for which he might justly have punished them without this,” Matthew Henry writes in his commentary.
The transgression David commits seems innocent—he orders a census. A census is not a bad thing in and of itself; after all, God had actually ordered censuses twice (Num. 1, 26). So what is the problem? It is possible that God is upset with David for ordering the census on his own or for conducting it improperly, but the answer seems to go deeper. We know, based on Joab’s report (v. 9), that David wants an inventory of his troops. It may be, therefore, that David is planning a military conquest not authorized by God. More likely, however, David is simply taking pride in his army, forgetting that his hope lies not in troops but in God, the same God who gave him mighty men able to do great exploits on the battlefield.
Ironically, it is the brash Joab who senses that David’s order is not proper. He questions the plan, as do the captains of the army. But David insists that a census must be taken, so joab and the captains make a counterclockwise circuit of the country that lasts nearly 10 months. They finally bring back a figure—1.3 million able-bodied men. This is nearly twice the number found in the second census of Israel (Num. 26), and Judah especially has increased (Num. 26:22). David therefore has a large force of men available to him—but his hope still needs to be in God alone, not his soldiers.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Perhaps David got caught up in numbers. Evangelicals certainly fall victim to this temptation. We tend to measure everything, from church attendance to book sales. But God’s work is not always easily quantified. Examine your own heart as to whether you are putting your trust in Him alone, and adjust your attitude if necessary.
For Further Study
- Zech. 4:10
- Matt. 7:13–14
- Luke 4:10