1st Chronicles 21:2 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.
Pay close attention to the nature of the temptation for it seems quite harmless, and in the interest of the nation. It’s not like with Bathsheba, where the devil took advantage of David as he was feeling the feelings, as one calypsonian put it. This temptation was as simple and logical as it gets, for the infused thought is just to check and see how many soldiers you have in the army, and how many more are of fighting age so that David could order a conscription as he sees fit.
Later on in the narrative, what seemed to be logical and so harmless turns out to be a great sin and also iniquity. Thus, the question is: Why would such an action by the king, cause The Lord to be so greatly displeased, that in response, He sends an angel in the sky to destroy?…. 1st Chronicles 21:2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go and number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore, he smote Israel.
Before drawing conclusions, and vital lessons from the narrative, it is important to answer the question as to why God was displeased, and why the action David took is described as a great sin and iniquity. By ordering the census, David was actually stealing God’s glory, by taking credit for victories gained by the power of God alone. Thus, by increasing the size of the army, he would give the impression that the strength of his forces was in numbers, and not in God.
1st Chronicles 21:8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!