1st Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
Now, some may wonder, what is the big deal with David numbering the people, why it would trigger such an adverse response. Others may stumble at what they think was a heavy-handed response from God to Uzzah when trying to prevent the sacred ark from falling while the men of Philistia were permitted to take the ark captive, as they travelled for several miles, with no immediate response from God.
In that episode, even David had a problem with the response from God, and his comments reflect the same spiritual darkness concerning protection that now envelops the earth. In other words, to David, it seemed arbitrary for God to destroy someone, just for trying to save the ark from falling.
In David’s finite mind, this judgment seemed to be a mismatch, because the Philistines years before, had taken the same ark, handling it and placing it in the house of Dagon, their God, and yet, those who then touched it were not immediately visited. But Uzzah, who tried to prevent the ark from falling was intelligently singled by God, and struck mortally for what seemed to David as a good thing, with the best of intentions. That is according to man’s short-sighted wisdom.
2nd Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!