“And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.”
In this verse, we find the account of King David ordering a census of the people of Israel and Judah. However, the act of taking a census was not the issue itself but the motivation behind it, as we will discover later in the chapter.
Historical Context:At this point in the narrative, King David had already established his reign over Israel and had achieved various military victories. However, his reign was not without challenges, including internal rebellions and external threats.
The Census:King David instructed Joab, the commander of his army, to take a census of the people. The purpose of this census was to determine the military strength of Israel and Judah.
The Problem:Taking a census may seem harmless, but it was a significant issue in this context because it revealed a lack of trust in God. In ancient Israel, only God had the authority to order a census, and it was usually done to accomplish His purposes, such as forming an army or carrying out His will. By initiating the census, David was placing his confidence in the number of fighting men rather than relying on God’s guidance and protection.
Joab’s Reluctance:Joab, though a loyal commander, recognized the problem with David’s command. He even questioned the decision, knowing that it was not the right thing to do. However, he eventually carried out the order, likely out of obedience to the king.
The Results:After the census was completed, Joab reported to the king that there were 800,000 valiant men in Israel and 500,000 men in Judah who were capable of drawing the sword. These numbers represented a considerable military force.
God’s Displeasure:After the census was taken, the Lord’s anger was kindled against David, prompting Him to send the prophet Gad to deliver a message and offer three choices of punishment to David. These choices included three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of pestilence.
David’s Decision:Recognizing his sin, David chose to fall into the hands of the Lord and opted for three days of pestilence. He reasoned that it was better to trust in God’s mercy rather than rely on human intervention or flee from his enemies.
God’s Judgment:As a result of David’s sin, a severe plague struck the land, causing the death of seventy thousand people in Israel. When the angel of the Lord reached Jerusalem, about to strike it, God commanded him to cease, and the plague was halted at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and obedience in our relationship with God. It shows that relying on our own strength and achievements rather than seeking God’s guidance can lead to grave consequences. David’s choice to trust in God’s mercy and repentance ultimately brought an end to the punishment. Through this study, we can learn the significance of putting our faith and trust in God, acknowledging His sovereignty, and seeking His will rather than relying on our own understanding.
