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Sam. 24: records the sin of David in numbering the fighting men
of Israel and Judah. The “counting” itself was not wrong.
Earlier in Israel’s history God had ordered the numbering of
the people. (Num. 1:2) But there was a sinful motive involved in
David’s census. Satan moved David to the task (1 Chron. 21:1)
and God used the occasion to punish Israel (2 Sam. 24: 1). But what
was the sin?
Joab,
David’s “right-hand” man, seemed to sense the basic error.
He said, “Jehovah thy God add unto the people, how many so
ever they may be, a hundredfold; and may the eyes of my lord the
king see it; but why doth my lord the king delight in this
thing?” (2 Sam. 24:3 1 Chron. 21:3)
David’s
pride in numbers was an echo of the sin of the people who
desired a king in place of Samuel the Judge. They feared the
Ammonites, and desired a king “like all the nations” to “go
out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Sam. 8:20) But Jehovah
had delivered them in times past, and stood ready to protect the
faithful. (1 Sam. 12:6-12) Trusting in horsemen and chariots was
rejection of Jehovah and His all-powerful
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arm. (Isa. 31:1-f)
Later
David recognized his error and repented. saying, “I have done
very foolishly”; but his sin brought great pestilence upon the
nation. Our pride, and trust in carnal strength, are often the
unsuspected causes of problems that beset us. And, we are seldom
“exercised” by the punishment. Have you ever heard one pray
“Father forgive me for counting people, fine church buildings,
impressive contributions, etc., as indicative of “how well “we”
are doing” here.”??
The
desire to “grow in number” is not wrong. If true
spirituality increases, so as to stay in the lead, our material
strength furnishes tools for greater service to God. But
sometimes the ones who “come out” of digression, and suffer
hardships as a “little bunch” standing for truth, are
overcome — not by submission to doctrinal error, but by pride.
They are “worn down” because they chafe at the thought of
littleness — or growing, they “delight in this thing” and
forget their dependence upon God.
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