Sovereign, Just, and Merciful (2 Samuel 24)
Read 📖
Today’s reading is the whole of 2 Samuel 24
But David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
2 Samuel 24:10
Reflect ❤️
In this last chapter of 2 Samuel, David takes a census, but afterwards his heart strikes him. When David ordered it, he did not think that it was wrong, even though Joab did (v. 3). The most likely reason, to me, is that David’s motivation was wrong. David might have taken this census because he wanted assurances that he could win a future war, and so did not trust God to fight for him. David also did not collect the “ransom” for the census, as ordered in Exodus 30:12.
The chapter opens with an interesting verse: “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’” This sounds like God tells David to take a census, and then punishes David for taking a census. This reading would not make sense with what we know of God’s character. For example, in James it says: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13). However, in the account of this census in 1 Chronicles 21, where the biblical authors bring clarity to this event, it says that “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” (v. 1). This reads similarly to the opening chapters of Job, where God allows Satan limited influence over Job. However, since we do not fully understand the plans and purposes of God, this remains somewhat of a mystery—one that we can try to get our heads around, but in the end, have to live with. Yet, what we can also see in both of these accounts is that God is sovereign over all of creation. He has power over heaven and earth, and over all powers and dominions (Ephesians 1:20-21).
In carrying out the census the way he did, David did not trust that God would provide the required men or strategy to beat his enemies. David acted out of fear, rather than out of a place of security in God. We do not need to act out of fear either; we have a greater security than David did—Jesus. In Jesus and what he has done, we can be sure that we are forgiven by God, restored to a right relationship with God and others (through the church), adopted as God’s children to be co-heirs with Christ, and have an eternal destination with Him.
However, when David sinned, he was convicted and chose to “fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great” (v. 14). Although David seemingly did not realise he was sinning by taking a census, he was convicted and realised his sin. We often do not realise we are sinning in the moment, but the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin—not to point out where we have failed, but so that we might repent and be sanctified. Like David, when convicted of our sin, we can throw ourselves on God’s mercy and take courage in our salvation, won for us by the blood of Jesus, so that we are no longer under the wrath of God or have to face His judgement.
Pray 🙏
Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me. Help us not to live in fear and convict me of where we have unknowingly sinned, that I might repent and throw myself on your great mercy again.