Why did david counted the people

Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel? Joab understood that this census was wrong. Was the census wrong because it was not directed by God like those in Numbers 1 and 26?

We do not know since scripture does not clearly say. But it appears that it is wrong for at least one reason. Later in 1 Chronicles , we are told that David did not believe God would multiply Israel in the future.

It appears that he did not trust God for safety in the present, and he was seeking comfort in the military power of the nation. David even wanted the priests to be counted 1 Chronicles The priests were not to serve in the military. Numbers , 47; did not include the tribe of Levi as a tribe in the military. After nine months and twenty days, Joab completed the task of counting the people 2 Samuel In 1 Chronicles the Levites are numbered at , or rounded-off , When Moses had counted people, Israel was only , strong Numbers That count was an act of obedience since God had asked for it.

The nation had grown. Now Israel and Judah were probably about 6 million people including women and children. At this point David realizes that he has sinned and God responds by giving David three different ways to be disciplined. At this point God sends the prophet Gad to David. The Lord asks him to choose one of three disciplines. Each discipline results in death throughout the land. The Lord is seeking to draw David to Him — to trust Him and not military strength.

No software to install. Try it FREE. Font Size Font Size. Previous Next. Add parallel Share Print Page Options. Contemporary English Version. David Counts the People 24 The Lord was angry at Israel again, and he made David think it would be a good idea to count the people in Israel and Judah. Footnotes The king seemed to have been prompted by a feeling of pride and ambitious curiosity.

The devil tempted, but the king went along with it and wanted to use the census as evidence to trust in his own power not God's. It was his vanity and the desire to exalt himself in his own mind that got David in trouble. Looking at the scriptures we can know that there is an evil intent by their content.

Anytime Satan is involved you can be sure he intends to get someone to sin! He put the thought in David's mind that if he knew the number of young men under his rule meaning those fit for war he could brag or boast how great a king he was by the size of his army!

Taking a census was a common way to guage a nation's potential strength in battle Numbers - 4, Joab, commander of David's army, tried to warn him to not number Israel so that he and the nation would not be punished 1Chronicles - 3. His wise counsel, however, went unheeded. Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary also has some interesting comments regarding this incident.

It states that David acted out of pride and a desire to glorify himself. If one member suffers, every member suffers; if one member is honored, every member rejoices. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a member of it 1 Cor Martin Luther King, Jr. The decisions we make affect the people around us, whether for better or for worse.

If God were fair, we would all be in Hell right now. Rather, we should seek His mercy. God knows how to shepherd us rightly. There are times when tough measures are needed.

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