2nd Samuel 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 748] The taking of the census had caused disaffection among the people; yet they had themselves had cherished the same sins that prompted David’s action. As the Lord through Absalom’s sin visited judgment upon David, so through David’s error he punished the sins of Israel…. In our day, the very same sins which affected Israel and David, are adversely affecting individuals as well as nations.
National pride, and greatness are driving some to believe that God isn’t needed anymore and some have gone so far to believe that they can sit in God’s seat, by saying and doing only what God can do. So, even though no reason might be given, just as it was back then, even so it will be when The Lord gets going with what Isaiah describes as His strange act. In the last passage we read, we see that The Lord’s displeasure with the hearts and minds of king and peasant, moved Him to permit the king in question to be tempted by satan.
And consequently, the king did some stupid things. Let’s take a good second look at the passage we are referring to, because no clear reason is given for the Lord’s displeasure, and thus it calls upon us to see, if there might be something percolating in our hearts, that is causing God to permit kings in our day to do some stupid things. And if so, the question is whether or not folks would hasten to repent like David did, or whether folks will cherish sin and fall when the sword of the Lord goes through the land.
2nd Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!