September 27 & 28, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Samuel and Acts? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Samuel 24 (NIV)
David Enrolls the Fighting Men
1 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,……Continue Reading
A bit of a strange account here that says something about our God. He does not hesitate to test us even with thoughts in our own minds. David shows afterward that he should have known better and Joab tells him the same. So David is fully responsible for what happens. This account is in another passage of Scripture (1 Chronicles 21) and there it is explained that satan incited David. So whether satan is God’s agent here, yet He as God is still “responsible”, or both are operating here, it is hard to say. But the problem with counting the men is that it expresses confidence in what man brings to the table as opposed to trusting in God. We need to be careful when we find ourselves strong in certain areas that we place confidence in ourselves or the things of this world rather than God. And David’s sin brings a consequence and the people suffer but God shows mercy in it as well. It is comforting to know that God knows what He is doing and brings about things in our lives to reveal Himself and build faith and character in us.
So as I understand it, taking a census and counting something applied ownership of that thing. Obviously, the people of Israel belong to God not David. Joab knew this, the captains of the army knew this, and they both warned David about doing it. Whether or not it was Satan tempting David to do this, God most definitely allowed it and unfortunately David failed this test. God does put tests in trials in our life not to make us stumble but rather for us to grow and mature in our faith. When things are easy, faith and trust comes easy, but when times are hard, that is when our true faith is revealed. Sometimes, like David finds out, our failed attempts bring consequence and in times like these I remember that diamonds are just coal that has been refined through fire and great pressure and we are simply God’s diamonds in the rough!
2 Samuel 24
David fails here with the counting of Israel for he is trusting in man and not God. He realizes his sin afterward and asks for forgiveness. But it is already too late and now there are consequences for his sin. God through the prophet Gad gives David three choices. He chooses to fall into the hand of God for God is merciful and man isn`t. He chooses three days of pestilence and still has to build an altar to the Lord to stop it and then repents again. God will forgive us but there are still consequences from our sin. God bless.
Matthew 12:25
2 Samuel 23 & 24
2 Samuel 23 & 24
David counts the people of Israel and Judah. I think his sin here is trusting in men or self OR a measure of power. Is he trusting in the # of men to defend against and enemy or perhaps measuring his power over a people. Either way it is sin and he pays for it.