Ob and In:
(1) The background of the counting
21:1 An adversary opposed Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had.(NET) The parallel text in 2 Sam 24:1 says, “The LORD’s anger again raged against Israel and he incited David against them, saying: ‘Go, count Israel and Judah!’“
The version of the incident in the Book of 2 Samuel gives an underlying theological perspective, while the Chronicler simply describes what happened from a human perspective...
An adversary=when it appears without the article, it refers to a personal or national adversary in the human sphere...a human enemy, probably a nearby nation whose hostility against Israel pressured David into numbering the people so he could assess his military strength.
(2) The nature of the counting and the displease
Nature: to count the warriors. 21:5 Joab reported to David the number of warriors. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding soldiers; Judah [note the typo in the Chinese translation, the English is following the original] alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers.
David did not trust the LORD to be his military power as he previously did (18:6, 12). (NET) David’s decision betrays an underlying trust in his own strength rather than in divine provision. See also 1 Chr 27:23–24.
repeated phrase about displease:
v.3 Joab replied,... "Why does my master want to do this? Why bring judgment on Israel?”
6 Now Joab did not number Levi and Benjamin, for the king’s edict disgusted him. 7 God was also offended by it, so he attacked Israel.
even David himself realized later that this is sinful and foolish
even David himself realized later that this is sinful and foolish
8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
Reflection: Do we rely on our "numbers" as well? The number in our bank account, the number of our "like" on social media, and the number of people in the church... Do we trust those or do we trust the LORD?
Joab gave very good advice to David, but David was the king and he had to listen to him. Do we value the advice from others? Do we listen to others who remind us about our sins?
(3) What did God watch and relent from His judgement v.15? Why only 70,000 Israbbbelites were dead, but the whole city of Jerusalem was spared?
15 God sent an angel to ravage Jerusalem. As he was doing so, the LORD watched and relented from his judgment. He told the angel who was destroying, “That’s enough! Stop now!”
Now the angel of the LORD was standing near the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Now the angel of the LORD was standing near the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between the earth and sky with his sword drawn and in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. David and the leaders, covered with sackcloth, threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.
relented=(NAC) But at least in human terms God does not repent or change his mind. It is better to think of a divine decree going forth that would be fulfilled unless a change of circumstance came about, such as repentance...In the incident before us there was evidence of a deep repentance on David’s part. In this he was joined by the elders, all clothed in sackcloth.
relented=(NAC) But at least in human terms God does not repent or change his mind. It is better to think of a divine decree going forth that would be fulfilled unless a change of circumstance came about, such as repentance...In the incident before us there was evidence of a deep repentance on David’s part. In this he was joined by the elders, all clothed in sackcloth.
(4) Why did David move the center of worship to this location and it became the future site of the temple?
26 David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. He called out to the LORD, and the LORD responded by sending fire from the sky and consuming the burnt sacrifice on the altar.
The fire was a sign to David that the LORD accepted his offering. His wrath was pleased and proved that He was merciful v.13. Is this not the very foundation that we are able to come before God every day?
Reflection: We are supposed to be judged because of our sins, but God is merciful and He relented from the judgement because of what Jesus had done for us. We did not get what we deserved. We are grateful for Who He is!
Audrey
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