By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
DISCIPLINED
2 Samuel 24:10–25
The Bible is God’s special revelation of Himself, His purposes and His ways. “All Scripture is inspired by God and it is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). We have valuable lessons to learn from the study of Scripture.
Taken without any other context, it would seem that the authors of 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 disagreed as to the reason for David and his kingdom to receive God’s discipline. Was it Satan (Chronicles) or God (Samuel) who provoked David to take a census? The answer comes when we interpret Scripture with Scripture. In the event of apparent conflicts, we consult the whole counsel of God to answer our concerns. As we learn from Job, Satan has no authority but that which God grants him (Job 1–2). God permitted Satan to incite David.
Confession (10)
The law indicates that payment for every male must accompany a census taken in Israel (Ex. 30:12). David ordered a census of the available fighting men from the northernmost Dan to southernmost Beer-Sheba, but there is no indication of a ransom tax. After the census concluded and David received the numbers, the text reads: “David’s heart struck him” (literally) or “David’s conscience troubled him” (CSB). He confessed his foolish sin and asked for God’s forgiveness.
Consequences (11–15)
David sought the counsel of Gad, his seer (see also 1 Chron. 29:29). Gad explained that God was giving David a choice between three possible consequences for his sin: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies or three days of plague. David relied on God’s mercy, which led to a three-day angelic plague that killed 70,000 Israelites.
Sin always carries consequences. These consequences are like seeds: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). God is under no obligation to give us a choice of consequences, but we would do well to plead for mercy as David did.
Compassion (16–17)
God extended compassion to Jerusalem. Though the angel of death was intent on destroying the city’s inhabitants, Yahweh ordered him to stop the onslaught. God stayed the grim reaper’s hand at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (called Ornan in 1 Chron. 21). The reader may recall that Israel possessed the land of the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem, but they still lived in the region (Josh. 15:63).
David also had compassion on his people, as a shepherd for his sheep. He confessed that he alone was guilty before God, and he pleaded for the Lord to direct His judgment to David and his family.
Contrition (18–25)
Once the plague stopped, Gad informed David. The king went to the threshing floor, and Araunah bowed down out of respect. David offered to buy the threshing floor in order to build an altar and offer sacrifice. His host requested permission to provide the materials for the sacrifice, but the king refused.
David explained: “I will not offer to Yahweh my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” The king had a healthy perspective on sacrificial worship. God deserves our very best since it ultimately belongs to God and He provided it to us: “Everything comes from you … everything belongs to you” (1 Chron. 29:14–16).
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