the Third Week after Easter
Click here to join the effort!
Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
2 Samuel 24:1-13
David commits a further sin: he proceeds to number the people. V. 1 seems to excuse him on the ground that it was the LORD who incited him to do it. But 1 Chronicles 21:1 reveals that Satan was the evil agent whom the LORD allowed to take action, so as to chastise Israel and afterwards to demonstrate His grace. The enemy only achieves his aims because of the king’s pride, pride in ruling over a numerous nation and in commanding a powerful army. Pride leads us to assume self-importance, and to forget that it is only God’s grace that has made us what we are and has given us what we possess. David in his happier days had recognised this fact: "Who am I, O LORD God?" and . . . what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel?" (2 Samuel 7:18; 2 Samuel 7:23). Israel’s glory was derived neither from its strength nor from the number of its warriors, as was the case with other nations. It was centred in the name of the LORD, whose people they were (see Psalms 20:7)!
Joab, although not a God-fearing man, sees more clearly than David and tries to dissuade him from his purpose. In vain! The census is taken; hardly are the figures announced but the king realises his folly. Despite his repentance, he is once again confronted with the "governmental dealings of God".
