DAVID’S BIGGEST SIN – By Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 23 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Mark 1 – 2; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)
Scripture Memorization for April – Verses I commonly use when sharing the gospel.
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17
Read the “0415 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” (2 Samuel 24:1)
“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.” (1Chonicles 21:1-2)
When we think of David sinning, we think of Bathsheba. But in our reading today, we see a sin bigger than that in the eyes of God.
God was very angry at Israel. God used Satan to move David to do what was already in David’s heart. Why was it so wrong for David to take a census? The taking of a census is not wrong, it was the reason David took it was sin.
David had pride in his heart. He wanted to prove his power. I’m thinking he wanted to brag about what a great king he was by the number of his army. Any time Satan is involved, you can write it down, sin is to follow.
God tried to warn David through Joab not to take the census but David prevailed.
Now for the sin of David God gave him a choice of what punishment would be given. Famine throughout the land for seven years, to flee from his enemies for three months or three days of pestilence (a deadly epidemic) upon the entire land. David choose to, ‘fall into the hands of the Lord’ – the pestilence. Ten of thousands died throughout Israel until the death angel that brought the plague was stopped. David pleaded for mercy and was told to build an altar to God on a particular threshing floor (2Samuel 24:16 – 18).
What lessons can we glean from this passage of scriptures?
First we see that Satan is looking for prideful hearts. He loves nothing better than to trip Gods children when they are weak.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)
In order to know the will of God, we must be in His Word and pray diligently. Then we must surrender our will, accept His and obey it.
Next we see that God will always give us an escape route when temptations come.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cointhians 10:13)
David took no thought, when he slew the bear and lion. David had no doubt that he could slay Goliath with just a sling. What happened to his faith in not knowing the number of his army? Pride.
Thirdly we see that sin affects others.
In the three choices God gave David for punishment, all of Israel would suffer for it. We often hear people say, “Well I’m not hurting anyone by doing …” But no one ever looks at the big picture.
“For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23 a)
Last we see that God will always provide a way out.
God gave us a free will to choose. He also gave us His word, the Bible, to guide us in our decisions. That’s why Preachers will continually encourage you to read your Bible. It’s our guide to life.
“…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23 b)
Together, let’s keep our minds filled with the Spirit of God, keep out Satan’s lies, and remember that our decisions affect more than just ourselves.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
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