David's Sin In Numbering The People
I am currently studying the book of 1 Chronicles. When one arrives at chapter 21 the Bible says Satan stood up against Israel and tempted David to count Israel. The reason this occurred is because the same account is in 2 Samuel 24 where it declares the anger of the Lord burned against Israel (We are not given the reason why the Lord was angry). David gave the command to Joab and his leaders to count Israel from Beersheba to Dan so he could know the size of his army. (From north to south). Joab objected to this command because he knew David’s motive behind the numbering – to boast in his military might rather in the power of God who had given him every victory through the army He (God) raised up for David. The Bible says David’s word prevailed over Joab, so he counted all the men that carried the sword. Only the tribes of Levi and Benjamin were not counted because the command of David to number the people was an abomination to Joab his military commander (1 Chronicles 21:6). Davi...