Sin Within We Want Out

2 Samuel 24:1–2 (ESV) Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 

The first sentence in this passage understandably troubles Bible readers. But we have to understand Biblical narrative and let the scriptures interpret one another. First, the text wants us to understand the Lord's displeasure with Israel. Perhaps this is due to how they treated David upon his return after abandoning him. Perhaps this is due to inner spiritual rot. We can guess any number of reasons.

We also have to turn to the Chronicles account of this same moment for clarity:

1 Chronicles 21:1 (ESV) Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.

The Chronicles account makes clear that Satan was the instrument through which the Lord brought about actions to discipline the nation. We must be aware here of the Lord's dealings with His people. He does not allow them to act however they want. He is their Father and will discipline accordingly. 

David is also very guilty. Notice he mentions the tribes from Dan to Beersheba. This was the northernmost territory of Israel, the exact opposite end of the nation from David's tribe, capital, and closest followers. We remember northern Israel did not support David in his exile and loosely aligned with him when he was king. David is seeking the heart of the people instead of the heart of God. David is doing what ancient kings did... seeking to establish his kingdom through worldly methods instead of dependence upon the Lord. This was the man who said:

Psalm 20:7 (ESV) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

How quickly we can succumb to the temptations of the world around us. Notice David's language: 

“Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” Perhaps because Israel had ousted him so quickly under Absalom he now sought assurance of their support. Perhaps he wanted long-term glory past his death. There is a temptation for great men as they get older to establish their legacy as some self-validating project. All these elements could have been involved for David at this moment. 

The good news of the narrative is that David cannot live in sin:

2 Samuel 24:10 (ESV) But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

David repents but without confrontation. There is not Nathan figure declaring, "Thou are the man!" This is the surest sign of a child of God. They cannot be happy with sin. This time, David's repentance is instigated from his own heart showing that David's desire was always to please the Lord even if there were some detours along the way. 

Now there is also judgment. And the Lord sends Gad to let David "pick his poison" so to speak. Out of the three choices, David chooses the Lord's judgment and says:

2 Samuel 24:14 (ESV) Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

David does not fight the Lord's judgment. Sincere repentance respects the Lord's discipline for foolish actions. It does not seek a quick fix or "get out of jail free" experience. But David also knows that the Lord is merciful. Repentance recognizes that though sin will have consequences, the Lord will never punish as our sins deserve. In the next post, we will see how God will even use this bad moment in David's life to bring about a great plan for David and the future of Israel. 

His mercy is great.