Faithful Fridays Two: 2nd Samuel

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Near the end of  David's reign, he did a foolish thing: he counted the fighting men in Israel.  Even Joab, who was not known for his reasoned thinking, tried to dissuade David but David was determined to find out what his military strength actually was.

This doesn't sound like a problem to most of us...it even sounds like wisdom.  But this isn't an ordinary kingdom, this was God's kingdom and God had reminded them not to put their trust in military strength but to trust in God.  Counting  the fighting men for his own benefit was kind of a slap in the face to God.  In fact, God had said in Exodus 30 that whenever there was a census, every person (in this case, every man of fighting age) was to give a half shekel to the LORD as a ransom for his life for having been counted (Ex 30:12-13).  The ransom was to stave off a plague that would come and decimate the counted men. (Ex. 30:12).  God was to be the strength of Israel...not the numbers of men who could fight.

So David send Joab out to count the fighting men and God was displeased.  Seventy thousand people died in the plague before God said, 'Enough!' (the account in 1 Samuel hints that the people had displeased God and this was His way of sending the judgment).

The angel was ready to destroy Jerusalem and stopped at the threshing floor of Araunah the  Jebusite.  David was instructed to build an altar there and make a sacrifice.

David went to buy the land and oxen.  Aruanah protested, offering to give it to David so he could sacrifice.

But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it.  I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."  So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. -- 2 Sam. 24:24

David knew what it was to make a sacrifice.  Owning his error required it.  We tend to want to wiggle out of consequences from our...lack of trust? Our wanting to do things the way it makes sense to us?  But when those schemes backfire...and they always do...repentance involves making restitution when possible. Not because we owe God...but because it's the right thing to do.  Why should Araunah bear the cost of David's error?

Our debt to God has been paid by the cross.  But when we owe a debt to another person...that is something we should take care of.  Yes, it will cost.  But it's the Right Thing to Do.