2 Samuel 24

[Clint Kritzer]

The first part of this chapter has me scratching my head! I am seeking an explanation to resolve these two verses:

1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

On the surface it appears that David has followed God's command, yet he then feels guilty for doing so. If any of you will, please enlighten me.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

- Clint

 

[Scarlett O.]

Hi, Clint. Are you a night owl, too.?

It's just my thought that King David was having some problems with pride and God was allowing him to be tempted, knowing full well that he would succomb and sin because of pride (refer to verses 2 and 3).

Why did God do this?

I think you answered your own question.

In verse 10, David was greatly remorseful and I don't believe that he was sorry for just numbering the people. I think that he was sorry for placing faith in himself and his accomplishments.

Maybe David would not have come to that place of repentance until he hit "rock bottom" spiritually.
And maybe God just gave him a little shove to get there.

God allowed Satan to tempt and trap David and cause him to sin so that David would see the truth about his own heart.

He was a man after God's own heart, remember?

And don't forget about old Job! God allowed Satan to do a powerfully ugly act in his life, too. Brought him physically and emotionally to "rock bottom".

I believe that God needed David to see, tangibly and realistically, where his pride was leading him.

Peace-

Scarlett O.
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[Sularis]

I'll have to agree with Scarlett

It was pride, wrong thinking, and lack of faith/trust on both the nation and David's part.

Head up a few chapters you'll note that light of Israel crack - Hoo yeah think what God did to ole Nebbie Its late I forgot how to spell his name sorry.

the grass chewing incident

Note the anger was against Israel; but God was testing David. David failed

So God got teed off at em all

 

[Chris Temple]

Originally posted by Clint Kritzer:
The first part of this chapter has me scratching my head! I am seeking an explanation to resolve these two verses:

This is a perfect example of God's complete sovereign control, primary and secondary causation and the ordaining by God of all things - even sin - for his own purpose, which is always righteous. The two parallel passages are these:

2 Sam 24:1 Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

1 Ch 21:1 Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.

As MacArthur says:

21:1 Satan … moved. Second Samuel 24:1 reports that it was God who “moved” David. This apparent discrepancy is resolved by understanding that God sovereignly and permissively uses Satan to achieve His purposes. God uses Satan to judge sinners (cf. Mark 4:15; 2 Cor. 4:4), to refine saints (cf. Job 1:8–2:10; Luke 22:31, 32), to discipline those in the church (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1–5; 1 Tim. 1:20), and to further purify obedient believers (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7–10). Neither God nor Satan forced David to sin (cf. James 1:13–15), but God allowed Satan to tempt David and he chose to sin. The sin surfaced his proud heart and God dealt with him for it.

And The London Confession of Baptist Faith, Chapter III: Of God's Decree:

I. God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever come to pass;[1] yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;[2] nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;[3] in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree.[4]

1. Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18
2. James 1:13; I John 1:5
3. Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11
4. Num. 23:19; Eph. 1:3-5

The same principle is found in Job 1 and 2.

 

[MissAbbyIFBaptist]

I'm glad someone posted this topic. I was reading this in II Samual this mornin,and I didn't understand what David had done wrong. It apeared to me that he did as God asked him to do.
Thank ya'll for clearing that up.
**Abby**

 

[Clint Kritzer]

Thank you folks. Chris, the crossreference to 1Chronicles was exactly what I was looking for!

- Clint