## The Life of David - Part 15

## II Samuel 24:1-4

Last week we left David in mourning over his rebellious son, Absalom. In the chapters that follow give the record of David's sorrowful return to Jerusalem. His troubles are by no means over, but there would be no more rebellions or wars.

Tonight, I want us to consider a foolish decision that David made. One sad fact of life is that we do not reach perfection by growing older. Sometimes aged and godly saints act downright foolish. When they are in a position of leadership, the consequences are usually greater. David made a foolish decision based on pride, and thereby fell into Satan's trap.

I. Analysis of the Decision.

A. Generally. 2 Sa. 24:1-4

1. "Go, number Israel and Judah"

2. Usually, this was done for purposes of taxation or military draft.

3. However, Joab saw through to David's real motive.

4. Apparently, David was looking to reinforce his sense of security and pride.

5. Note: v3, "...why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?"

B. Specifically. 1 Chron. 21:1-4

1. God permitted Satan to prompt David to take a census of the people.

2. This action demonstrated David's reliance on numbers of warriors rather than on God.

3. It took about ten months to complete, and it revealed that there was 1,100,000 soldiers in Israel and 470,000 in Judah, not including the men of Levi and Benjamin.

C. Personally.

1. David was out of touch with the Lord.

2. He refused to listen to wise counsel of Joab in this matter.

3. He was personally unaccountable to anyone around him.

II. Consequences of Disobedience. (1 Chron. 21:7-17)

A. God's judgment. v7-12

1. David openly confessed his sin before God and sought His forgiveness.

2. As we said before, forgiveness may be granted, but sin always has consequences to be paid.

3. God gives David an opportunity to choose his own consequences.

a. three years of famine

b. three months of defeat on the battlefield

c. three days of pestilence

B. David's guilt. v13

1. Notice that once again, many others will suffer as a result of David's sin.

2. "It isn't hurting anyone but me" attitude is a lie of the devil.

3. David chooses to place himself in God's hands because God's mercy is greater than man's.

4. The three days of pestilence is chosen.

C. David's intercession. v14-17

1. Seventy thousand men died in this judgment.

2. God intervened with the words, "It is enough".

3. David, seeing the angel poised and ready to strike the city of Jeruasalem, began to pray!

4. David was willing to give his life in order to save his people.

5. David took personal responsibility for what had happened.

III. The Altar and Deliverance. v18-30

A. The angel's command. v18

1. Build an altar here.

2. As a reminder of the consequences of David's foolish sin.

3. Also to offer sacrifice because of the grace of God.

B. Ornan's willingness. v19-25

1. Ornan was willing to give, not only his land, but also his oxen and wheat for a sacrifice and his tools for the wood to burn.

2. He is an Old Testament example of the "Cheerful giver" Paul said that God loved.

C. David's obedience. v 26-30

1. David would not accept Ornan's gracious offer.

2. Note v24 an offering without cost was unacceptable.

3. David purchases the land for 600 shekels of gold, and builds the altar.

4. As he makes his sacrifces, God answered by fire to show His acceptance.

5. God commands the angel to put up the sword and the judgment is over.

Conclusion: Once again David proves to us how human he really was. God also teaches us several lessons here. 1) We must be accountable for what we do 2) We should never ignore the fact that sin always has consequences 3) We must always take God seriously. David learned this lesson twice. The first time several people died as a result of his sin. The next time seventy thousand men died. What will it take for us to learn these same lessons?