READ: 2 Sam. 24:1-9
“… count the people …”
The writer goes back about 4 to 5 years in the timeline in this final chapter. Peace has come to the land. The famine has passed. But does David now act in every way as a theocratic ruler? He decides to conduct a census of the people, possibly in preparation for Solomon’s ascension to the throne.
David wants a secure future and thus seeks to know the state of the nation’s military strength. He commands Joab to determine the number of able-bodied men in Israel.
But isn’t this a prideful attitude, disregarding God? Hadn’t God always granted him victory, even when the enemy was more numerous? David is now behaving like a pagan king, trusting in the strength of his horses and chariots (Ps. 20:8; Ps. 33:16-17).
What a contrast to the young David who defeated Goliath with just a sling and a stone but in the name of the LORD of hosts (1 Sam. 17:45).
David proceeds with his plan, even against Joab’s urgent advice, which points to the LORD (v.3). The census begins and takes nearly 10 months. From 1 Chron. 27:24, we learn that Joab does not fully complete the count. He excludes the Levites and the tribe of Benjamin because he considers the census a bad idea.
How could David behave so pridefully? He had been warned but still pursued his own will. Will the LORD leave this unpunished?
Interestingly, it is the LORD Himself who incites David through Satan (1 Chron. 21:1). God tests David to see whether he will submit his plans to Him or follow his own path. But David is carried away by his sinful heart.
At the same time, this is a satanic attack aimed at bringing down both king and people, thwarting the coming of Christ. That God, in His judgment of David’s actions, does not end his kingship is solely due to His faithfulness to His promise.
How do we involve the Lord in our plans?
Sing: Ps. 147:3