Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah." Again the anger of the LORD burnedThe phrase "Again the anger of the LORD burned" indicates a recurring theme in the Old Testament where God's righteous indignation is kindled against His people due to their disobedience or sin. The Hebrew word for "anger" here is "אַף" (aph), which often conveys a sense of intense displeasure or wrath. This reflects God's holiness and justice, reminding us that He cannot tolerate sin. Historically, Israel had repeatedly turned away from God, and this verse sets the stage for another instance where divine discipline is necessary to bring the nation back to righteousness. against Israel
"Against Israel" signifies that the entire nation was the object of God's displeasure. Israel, chosen as God's covenant people, was expected to live according to His statutes. The historical context suggests that Israel's actions, possibly idolatry or neglect of God's laws, had provoked this divine response. This serves as a sobering reminder of the collective responsibility of a nation to uphold God's standards and the consequences of failing to do so. and He incited David against them
The phrase "and He incited David against them" is intriguing and has been the subject of much theological discussion. The Hebrew verb "סוּת" (sut) can mean to incite or provoke. In a conservative Christian perspective, this does not imply that God causes sin, but rather that He permits circumstances that reveal the heart's intentions. David, as king, was God's appointed leader, and his actions would have significant implications for the nation. This highlights the sovereignty of God in using human leaders to fulfill His divine purposes, even when their actions are flawed. saying, 'Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.'
The command "Go, take a census of Israel and Judah" seems straightforward but carries deep implications. In the ancient Near East, censuses were often conducted for military or taxation purposes. However, in the biblical context, numbering the people without God's explicit command was seen as an act of pride or self-reliance, suggesting a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. This act would later lead to consequences for David and Israel, underscoring the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions. The division of "Israel and Judah" also foreshadows the eventual split of the united kingdom, reminding readers of the unity that God desires among His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, whose anger is kindled against the nation. 2. DavidThe King of Israel, who is incited by God to take a census of the people. 3. Israel and JudahThe united kingdom under David's rule, consisting of the northern tribes (Israel) and the southern tribe (Judah). 4. CensusThe act of counting the population, which in this context is seen as an act of pride or lack of trust in God. 5. Anger of the LORDA divine response to sin or disobedience, indicating God's displeasure with Israel. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God's actions, even when difficult to understand, are part of His sovereign plan. His anger is just and serves a purpose in His divine will. The Danger of PrideDavid's decision to take a census can be seen as an act of pride or self-reliance. Believers should be wary of placing trust in numbers or human strength rather than in God. The Role of TemptationThe differing accounts in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles highlight the complexity of temptation and sin. Believers must discern and resist temptations that lead away from God's will. Repentance and RestorationThe broader account shows David's repentance and God's mercy. It underscores the importance of turning back to God and seeking His forgiveness. The Impact of LeadershipDavid's actions had consequences for the entire nation, illustrating the responsibility of leaders to act in accordance with God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the sovereignty of God help us interpret difficult passages like 2 Samuel 24:1? 2. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives, and how can we guard against it? 3. How do the accounts in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles complement each other in understanding the nature of temptation and sin? 4. What steps can we take to ensure our decisions align with God's will, especially when in positions of leadership? 5. How can we apply the principles of repentance and restoration in our daily walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 21:1This parallel account attributes the incitement to Satan, offering a different perspective on the event. Exodus 30:12Provides instructions on taking a census, emphasizing the need for atonement to prevent a plague. Numbers 1:2-3Describes a God-commanded census, highlighting the difference in context and purpose. Psalm 106:29-30Reflects on Israel's history of provoking God's anger through disobedience. Romans 8:28Reminds believers that God can work through all circumstances for good, even when His anger is kindled. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Addeth, Adversary, Anger, Burn, Burned, Burning, Census, David, Incited, Judah, Kindled, Moved, Moveth, Moving, Saying, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:1 6218 provoking God
7266 tribes of Israel 2 Samuel 24:1-9 5249 census
5544 soldiers 2 Samuel 24:1-16 7236 Israel, united kingdom 2 Samuel 24:1-17 5087 David, reign of Library The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of DavidThe Universal Chorus
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that stteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. M en have generally agreed to dignify their presumptuous and arrogant ^* disquisitions on the works and ways of God, with the name of wisdom ; though the principles upon which they proceed, and the conclusions which they draw from …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 24:1 NIV2 Samuel 24:1 NLT2 Samuel 24:1 ESV2 Samuel 24:1 NASB2 Samuel 24:1 KJV
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