David Enrolls the Fighting Men
24 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.”
2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”
3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”
Did God cause David to sin? God does not cause people to sin. He allows sinners to reveal the sinfulness of their hearts by their actions. What was wrong with taking a census? A census was used to prepare an army to conquer the Promised Land. The land was now at peace. There was no need for a census. David’s sin was pride. He wanted to glory in the size of his army. David put his faith in his army rather than God. Today, we can sin in a similar way by putting money and possessions in place of God. Take a look at your life and see what you put your confidence in. Is it relying on God’s power? Is it money and possessions? Make some changes if God is not first.
