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). David’s conscience was smitten after the census. He immediately confessed his sin to God and pleaded for mercy. The Lord took away David’s sin as He did when David committed adultery and murder, but there were tragic consequences to follow. 

The prophet came to David and told him the Lord told me to tell you that you have three choices of what the Lord will do to you. 1) three years of famine in the land. 2) three months of being pursued and defeated by your enemies with the sword. 3) three days of the sword of the Lord a plaque sweeping across the land (1 Chronicles 21:10-13). 

David distressed by the choices offered, “said let me fall into the hands of the Lord for His mercies are very great.” The Lord sent a plaque through an avenging angel that killed 70,000 people in 3 days! Once the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Bible says God relented or repented of the evil and said, “It is enough!” To be clear God, was sorry for the evil that had to befall the people because of the sin of David. The punishment was very severe and just, but I believe in some sense very regrettable to the Lord. Remember. God is a tender loving Father. He does not take pleasure in punishing His children, but to teach David a most costly lesson, He sanctioned the punishment.  

 The Lord commanded the angel to put his sword away. When David saw the angel with the sword in hand, he asked God, why do these innocent sheep (the people) have to die? Wasn’t it I who commanded the people to be counted? I am the one who committed evil. David preferred that God’s hand be upon him and his family, not against those who committed no sin (1 Chronicles 21:17). 

The writer wondered the same thing David did. Why didn’t God just punish David? My theory is the Lord wanted David to witness the devastating effects of his sin on others which God knew would be a much more painful judgement against David than God punishing him directly. The other important matter that had to be resolved was God’s anger had to be appeased. Remember, God was gracious in giving David three choices on how he was to be punished for his sin. The Lord was under no obligation to even consult David on how he would punish him and the people. I believe God did it this way because of David’s willingness to repent quickly. He realized he had sinned greatly. 

 

In order for the plague to end, David was commanded to build and altar on the threshing floor of Ornan (or Araunah) the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:18). David bought the threshing floor and the materials and sacrificed there. This is what stopped the plague. 

This is a valuable lesson to learn. Even when we confess our sins, God forgives us of our sins, but the result of that sin can bring painful consequences. Mainly punishment of some sort. At the worst, death of innocent people. Sin infuriates God Almighty. He requires payment for sin. And understand the price is always high to appease his anger. We must be willing to confess sin quickly and often to remain in God’s favor and not incur His wrath.