24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
This is convicting to me because I think a lot of times I think , sure I want to serve the Lord or give to help those in need for His name but deep down I don’t want it to “cost” me anything or really feel like a sacrifice. This was a reminder that sometimes the moments where it cost me or is a sacrifice for me are the moments where I learn & grow the most in my understanding of the gospel.
This point is what struck me as well…”for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” Why is it so hard to give God what is rightfully his? He owns it all. We are just caretakers for a short period. We own nothing. It ties in with 1 Cor 4:7 “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
24:1-9 For the people’s sin David was left to act wrong, and in his chastisement they received punishment. This example throws light upon God’s government of the world, and furnishes a useful lesson. The pride of David’s heart, was his sin in numbering of the people. He thought thereby to appear the more formidable, trusting in an arm of flesh more than he should have done, and though he had written so much of trusting in God only. God judges not of sin as we do. What appears to us harmless, or, at least, but a small offence, may be a great sin in the eye of God, who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. Even ungodly men can discern evil tempers and wrong conduct in believers, of which they themselves often remain unconscious. But God seldom allows those whom he loves the pleasures they sinfully covet.
Agreed! From my ESV study bible notes: “Here the text says “the Lord incited”, while 1 Chronicles 21:1 reads “Satan incited”. The Lord allowed Satan to incite David. God himself never does evil, but sometimes he uses evil moral agents (demons and sinful human beings) to accomplish his purposes.” NOTE from 1 Chronicles 21:1 : ” The account of David’s census and the plague it unleashes is moved from its location at the end of 2 Sam (where it is only loosely connected to the narrative) to a pivotal place in Chronicles, standing between David’s wars and temple preparations. … In Samuel, it is God himself who in anger incites David against Israel, leading to the census. The Chronicler wanted his readers to think of Satan’s malice as God’s means of carrying out his will. Nevertheless, David himself sinned in giving in to Satan’s enticement and ordering the census. This census was sinful probably because it arose from David’s presumptuous military ambitions and pride, rather than from Yahweh’s express command. … Joab found the king’s command abhorrent (again emphasizing David’s sinfulness), for which reason Joab excluded the priestly tribe of Levi from the count, as well as Benjamin (site of the ark) and Gibeon (site of tabernacle).
Hope that helps a little. I agree- that wording had me so confused!
Thanks so much! I was wondering this too, and how spot on you are Jessica! I know some don’t like to believe that God is so sovereign! You said it well!
“Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, ‘Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.’ The best explanation is that Satan prompted King David and is the “he” of 2 Samuel 24:1″ (I found this on enduring word.com, I was also confused!)
David had not inquired of God to count or not count. He had been to previously to not count his men. Joan tried to remind him. I will look for verses… Anyone else find them please post. God knew the temptation of David knowing his might.
Anyone have any insight into the story of David counting the men of Israel? Why did God bring consequences because of it? Was that an indication of David relying on his own strength or something like counting your money before you die or something?
It was David not trusting God to work. All the victories happened when they listened to God even with much smaller numbers. So when David counted fighting men he was measuring his strength which shouldn’t matter when you have God behind you. It was also a way to marvel at his own greatness since he was king over those 800,000 instead of keeping the perspective of God has true king.
the commentary in my Bible says that ‘this census did not have the sanction of the Lord and proceeded from wrong motives -David had shifted his trust from God to military power. Although Gods prohibition is not clear in the text, it was clear to David.’
24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
This is convicting to me because I think a lot of times I think , sure I want to serve the Lord or give to help those in need for His name but deep down I don’t want it to “cost” me anything or really feel like a sacrifice. This was a reminder that sometimes the moments where it cost me or is a sacrifice for me are the moments where I learn & grow the most in my understanding of the gospel.
This point is what struck me as well…”for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” Why is it so hard to give God what is rightfully his? He owns it all. We are just caretakers for a short period. We own nothing. It ties in with 1 Cor 4:7 “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
I agree totally. It’s not a sacrifice unless it costs us something. Whether it be faith or earthly things..
^ Matthew Henry’s commentary
24:1-9 For the people’s sin David was left to act wrong, and in his chastisement they received punishment. This example throws light upon God’s government of the world, and furnishes a useful lesson. The pride of David’s heart, was his sin in numbering of the people. He thought thereby to appear the more formidable, trusting in an arm of flesh more than he should have done, and though he had written so much of trusting in God only. God judges not of sin as we do. What appears to us harmless, or, at least, but a small offence, may be a great sin in the eye of God, who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. Even ungodly men can discern evil tempers and wrong conduct in believers, of which they themselves often remain unconscious. But God seldom allows those whom he loves the pleasures they sinfully covet.
Same here! I am confused!
But didn’t God tell him to count?
1 Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
This always confuses me.
Agreed! From my ESV study bible notes: “Here the text says “the Lord incited”, while 1 Chronicles 21:1 reads “Satan incited”. The Lord allowed Satan to incite David. God himself never does evil, but sometimes he uses evil moral agents (demons and sinful human beings) to accomplish his purposes.” NOTE from 1 Chronicles 21:1 : ” The account of David’s census and the plague it unleashes is moved from its location at the end of 2 Sam (where it is only loosely connected to the narrative) to a pivotal place in Chronicles, standing between David’s wars and temple preparations. … In Samuel, it is God himself who in anger incites David against Israel, leading to the census. The Chronicler wanted his readers to think of Satan’s malice as God’s means of carrying out his will. Nevertheless, David himself sinned in giving in to Satan’s enticement and ordering the census. This census was sinful probably because it arose from David’s presumptuous military ambitions and pride, rather than from Yahweh’s express command. … Joab found the king’s command abhorrent (again emphasizing David’s sinfulness), for which reason Joab excluded the priestly tribe of Levi from the count, as well as Benjamin (site of the ark) and Gibeon (site of tabernacle).
Hope that helps a little. I agree- that wording had me so confused!
Thanks so much! I was wondering this too, and how spot on you are Jessica! I know some don’t like to believe that God is so sovereign! You said it well!
“Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, ‘Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.’ The best explanation is that Satan prompted King David and is the “he” of 2 Samuel 24:1″ (I found this on enduring word.com, I was also confused!)
David had not inquired of God to count or not count. He had been to previously to not count his men. Joan tried to remind him. I will look for verses… Anyone else find them please post. God knew the temptation of David knowing his might.
Anyone have any insight into the story of David counting the men of Israel? Why did God bring consequences because of it? Was that an indication of David relying on his own strength or something like counting your money before you die or something?
It was David not trusting God to work. All the victories happened when they listened to God even with much smaller numbers. So when David counted fighting men he was measuring his strength which shouldn’t matter when you have God behind you. It was also a way to marvel at his own greatness since he was king over those 800,000 instead of keeping the perspective of God has true king.
the commentary in my Bible says that ‘this census did not have the sanction of the Lord and proceeded from wrong motives -David had shifted his trust from God to military power. Although Gods prohibition is not clear in the text, it was clear to David.’
43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Jesus stayed focused on the task His Father sent Him to do. I pray that I stay as focused as a sinner can in spending each day to His glory.
Amen!!!