APRIL 10
In chapter 24 we read of David’s sin in numbering the
people. This is another example of God permitting Satan to work so
that the purposes of the Lord might be fulfilled.
It was probably pride that lay behind David’s desire to
number the people. He had won a number of great victories and
perhaps wanted to bask in the glory of his success. There was
certainly nothing wrong with a census, since the people had often
been numbered during the national history, but we must keep in mind
that a census that praised man would never glorify God. The factor
to be considered here is Exodus 30:11-16. In connection with a
census, there was always the matter of redemption money that was to
be given by each one numbered. A silver shekel was a reminder that
they were the Lord’s purchased possessions. Exodus 30:12 warns that
God would plague the nation and thin out the ranks if the people
ignored their redemption money. We will notice that this is exactly
what happened.
David realizes his sin in numbering the people and confesses
the sin to the Lord, but his conviction and repentance came too
late. God did permit David to choose his own discipline, and his
choice showed the love and faith of his heart. He chose to fall into
the hands of the merciful Lord, rather than into the hands of men.
From the morning until the evening God’s angel came again to plague
the people, and in one day’s time 70,000 Jews were slain. David
cried out for the people and desired that God’s hand be against him.
However, we must remember that God had a definite cause against the
entire nation (chapter 24:1) and was using David’s sin as an
opportunity to judge the entire nation.
I Kings 1 begins the study of the life and reign of Solomon,
David’s son, and successor to the throne of Israel. In David we had
a type of Christ in His humiliation, exile, and rejection; but in
Solomon we see the Prince of Peace (the name Solomon means
“peaceable”) reigning in glory and splendor over His people. David
made the conquests that enabled Solomon to live and reign in peace
and prosperity.