DBG - April 15 - II Samuel 23-24

In this chapter we find David’s last song and the roster of his mighty men.

vs. 1-7 – The “last words” of David here are not to be understood as his final words before he died, but rather as the last psalm he composed.  I divide this into five sections: the Great Power of God (vs. 1-2), the Great Standard of Rule (vs. 3), the Great Kingdom to Come (vs. 4), the Great Covenant with David (vs. 5), the Great Judgment of Evil (vs. 6-7).

vs. 8-39 – Here is a roster of the mighty men that served under David.  The exploits of these warriors are legendary.  37 are on the roster, and here 36 are given by name.  The one excluded seems to be Joab.  The list is repeated in I Chronicles 11 with some additional names which were probably replacements for those that retired or perhaps even killed. 

In this chapter David commits sin by numbering the people.

vs. 1-9 – What occurs here is a military census. David is attempting to see how many men can be mustered in the day of battle so that the strength of the nation can be measured. Until these days the Israelites simply blew the call to arms and whoever was willing and able gathered for battle. That plan required faith that God would provide the necessary forces for war. But if you knew how many men you could expect or force to muster, then you begin to trust in your army and not in God. Why was this census a sin? The taking of a census was not in itself sinful, as God commanded two in Numbers 1 and 26. Josephus wrote that it was because David forgot to have the people pay the half-shekel tax associated with taking a census in Exodus 30:11-16, but the sin does appear to be in how the numbering took place but rather in that it took place at all. The best explanation is that it was an expression of David’s pride and lack of faith in God. But how does this census show David’s pride and unbelief? Pride is easy to picture, since David could very well just want to see how large his kingdom was. I suspect David felt guilty initially but did not fully repent until he witnessed the judgment because he made no effort to pay a personal price (sacrifice) until then.

vs. 10-14 – I admittedly have a different opinion on this section that most others. I do not think that David truly repents in vs. 10. I think he knows he has sinned and carries a guilty conscience. Yet he does not place himself at God’s mercy, he only asks that his iniquity be removed. There are echoes in here of when the prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba. Then and now, David does not seek the prophet, instead the prophet seeks him. Then and now, David makes a choice that affects the judgment he will face. Then and now, it takes judgment to come before he fully turns back to God. David’s choice of punishment is to subject his nation – his people – to three days of deadly pestilence. Note that all the punishments affect the nation and not just David. David is not the only one that needs correction.

vs. 15-25 – David finally repents fully after 70,000 people are dead and the judgment is on his doorstep. David purchases the threshing floor and implements thereof from Araunah (“ark”). Verse 24 is a tremendous principle: we do not truly offer anything to God except that which costs us something. That threshing floor was on Mt. Moriah. It will become the future site of the Temple. God is working even in judgment.

One of the greatest things about David is not his greatness, but rather his relatability.  Who among us has not had fears and doubts that cause us to stumble and fall?  From his actions to his poetry we find a kinship with David.  Though 3,000 years removed from his time we relate to his experiences, the highs and the lows.  No matter where you are in life, you can find a parallel in him.  Grab on to that.  Then, as David himself would do, starting climbing higher.  Climb out of despair and doubt to the joys of fellowship with God.

Our hymn today is “The Stability of the Covenant” by John Kent (1766-1843).  It speaks of a sure covenant between the saint and God, echoing David in 23:5. 

Come, saints, and sing in sweet accord,
Nor let your sorrows swell  
The cov'nant made with David's Lord,
In all things order'd well.

This cov’nant stood, ere time began.
That God with men might dwell:
Eternal wisdom drew the plan,
In all things order'd well.

This cov'nant, O believer, stands.
Thy rising fears to quell;
Seal'd by thy Surety's bleeding hands,
In all things order'd well.

Ere Adam stretch'd his hand to take
That fruit by which he fell,
This cov'nant stood, for Jesu’s sake,
In all things order'd well.

No sinner, once within its bound,
Shall ever sink to hell;
Here's pardon, love, and grace profound,
In all things order'd well.

'Twas made with Jesus, for his bride.
Before the sinner fell;
T’was sign'd, and seal'd, and ratified,
In all things order'd well.

When rolling worlds depart on fire,
And thousands sinks to hell,
 This cov'nant shall the saints admire,
 In all things order'd well.

In glory soon, with Christ their King,
His saints shall surely dwell,
And this bless'd cov'nant ever sing,
 In all things order'd well.