November 5, 2024 2 Samuel 24:1-9

November 5, 2024 2 Samuel 24:1-9

24 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” ² So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” ³ But Joab said to the king, “May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” ⁴ But the king's word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel. ⁵ They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. ⁶ Then they came to Gilead, and to Kadesh in the land of the Hittites; and they came to Dan, and from Dan they went around to Sidon, ⁷ and came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites; and they went out to the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba. ⁸ So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. ⁹ And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.

 

These verses expressed God’s displeasure/wrath against Israel prompting David to take it upon himself to conduct a national census.  The census in itself was not a sin but David’s motives were and displeased God.  Joab, the commander of the army, encouraged David to trust God to increase the kingdom rather than spending time traveling the country with the census.  David didn’t listen to Joab who resulted in over 9 months being spent counting people.  Joab returned sharing that were 800,000 battle ready men from Israel and 500,000 from Judah.

 

These verses left me pondering how David sinned.  Upon further reading and study I realized that Joab gave solid advice to David to simple trust God to grow the kingdom rather than insisting on the census.  David lost sight on WHO gives the victory and who is the true king of kings.  This causes me to pause and think about several things.  First, how often do we lose sight of God’s plan/will for our life?  How often do we satisfy our selves, go out on our own and resist seeking God for our life?  Secondly, we cannot place leaders, kings, and politicians over Jesus Christ.  Today a new president will be decided upon.  I pray that you will exercise your right to vote.  I pray you will look to the Bible to answer difficult questions regarding your choice.  I pray you will bathe your decision based on God’s will.  And, as we face the future, regardless of whom our next elected president and political officials are, remember that God is in control ALWAYS.  His will be done.  

Robin Adams