READ: 2 Sam. 24:10-17: … So David said to the LORD: I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done foolishly …
After nearly 10 months, the results come in: hundreds of thousands of able-bodied men—an enormous number! But then David’s conscience accuses him. His heart begins to pound, as verse 10 describes.
Though it has taken a long time, repentance finally comes. In the middle of the night, David approaches the LORD in repentance. Is David’s remorse genuine, or is he simply afraid of punishment?
Despite his repentance, he receives God’s punishment—though not to the extent he deserves; otherwise, he would have been immediately executed. Through this punishment, David must learn to acknowledge that God is just and does not tolerate sin.
Yet David also knows that God is merciful. When given a choice among three types of punishment, he expresses his trust in God’s mercy (v.14). David chooses between seven years of famine or three days of plague. He leaves the decision in the hands of the LORD.
We, too, must not deny God’s right to discipline us when He forgives our sins (see Heb. 12:5-8). The LORD chooses the plague as punishment. Seventy thousand people die at the hands of the destroying angel.
Unlike in Egypt, there is no blood on the doorposts to stop the angel. The angel advances toward Jerusalem, coming into David’s line of sight (v.17). At that moment, the LORD commands the angel to stop. The LORD relents and remembers His covenant.
David falls to his knees! He pleads with the LORD—not for himself, but for his people: “Surely, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done?”
David then makes a proposal, demonstrating his humility. He once again takes on the role of shepherd, theocratic king, and man after God’s own heart, seeking to save his flock: “Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house”. David’s repentance is genuine.
What are the differences between Christ’s sacrifice and David’s plea?
Sing: Ps. 6:1-3