Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

These are ironically NOT the VERY last words of David, but they are the last things that David does within the books of Samuel. Originally, Samuel and kings were essentially one book but they got divided up into four parts for easier digestion – and the theme of prophet-led people vs king-led people. They are a cohesive narrative (with Chronicles being a sum-up and the last of the books in their original order). 2 Samuel then ends with the last full ACTS of David and his words at that time, and 1 Kings opens up at the end of his reign when he is an ‘old’ man (I use that very loosely, because David really was still quite young in my opinion).

David really was a humble man. If you look at everything he did in his life and all the events that surround him, he could have picked many titles for himself. But he calls himself the Son of Jesse. Simple man, son of a simple man. David composes a song here giving praise to the Lord. Acknowledging that everything David has and did was given and made possible by God. That he would have nothing and be nothing without the Lord in his life. And David is clear that he didn’t DESERVE any of it. God did it, David didn’t earn it. A great attitude and the only truthful one.

Then David lists his mighty men. Acknowledging the men that made his success possible. They were recorded position and given reward based on their exploits. They were very fairly not equal. The list also gives a greater picture of David’s trials and adventures. Throughout the narrative of Samuel, we see things from David’s point of view. Almost the small circle of people at the centre of the kingdom. But here we see the other names and the other struggles that David participated in. It shows the skill of Abishai and the bravery of Benaiah. It shows Asahel in action prior to his death at the hands of Abner. It also has Eliam, father of Bathsheba, and her husband Uriah. Thirty-seven men with some of their deeds. They stayed true to David throughout all this life as the Anointed king.

“When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, they will each give the ransom of his life for Yahweh when counting them, and a plague will not be among them when counting them.” (Exodus 30:12)

Last is a dual event. Cause and effect, if you will. David was moved and decided to make a census of the men of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 makes it clear it was the devil who tempted David with the idea – and David in his pride decided it was a good one (rulers often want to know how much they have under their control). The Lord knew rulers would have a census and He gave VERY specific rules for how that was to be carried out (Exodus 30:12-16). It was proper to number them with a collection of money. You counted the money and learned the number of people, you didn’t count the people directly. Also, the money was to be used for the service of the tabernacle – the God who was their Source. David went about this in all the wrong way. Even Joab knew it (so did the commanders of the people). Now, just so you don’t think it was a spur of the moment thing, note that it took them a good ten months to take the census. David won out against Joab and his captains and he forced it through.

Like with MANY sins, the moment it was complete, David was condemned. He felt sick. The ‘fever’ wasn’t on him anymore and he saw his actions in the cold light of day. He repented to the Lord and asked for his iniquity to be taken away. He admitted he had acted foolishly. The prophet Gad came to him at this time (both Nathan and Gad operated in David’s life simultaneously). He brought news of God’s displeasure – again, David was given MUCH time to repent and stop. In the system of judgment, judgment needed to be meted out. David was given a choice between three equal punishments: seven years of famine, three months with the enemies of David being successful against them, or three days’ of plague?

David doesn’t really make a choice. All he chooses is not to be at the mercy of humanity. Falling into God’s hands was infinitely preferable to falling into the hands of man – and that’s saying something (Hebrews 10:31). God allowed a plague to break out and seventy thousand people died. Seems harsh, but in the ancient world there was an intimate relationship between the king and the people. Each expected to be affected by the other. Additionally, it said that David PREVAILED against his men. They fought for this not to happen. They could have stood their ground, cited the Law, got priests to help them, and they could have won. The individual men in the land could have stood up and said no. Just like when the people of Israel went along with the ten spies but COULD have gone along with the two (Numbers 13:25-14:10); these people COULD have refused to be counted improperly. They were not completely innocent.

When the angel came to Jerusalem to strike it, God showed His mercy and told the angel to cease. That it was enough. This angel was seen by David and by Araunah the Jebusite (the original inhabitants of the city that David conquered). Araunah and his sons hid from the angel (1 Chronicles 11:4-5). David called out to God to spare the people, but to punish David and his house if punishment was still needed. Gad came again and told David to go build an altar where he saw the angel – the threshing floor of Araunah. Which he did.

When Saul was going to offer an offering (1 Samuel 15), he and the people of Israel wanted to use captured animals so that they didn’t have to use their own. Here, Araunah offered David the threshing floor and his animals, but David refused to take them as a gift. He INSISTED on paying for them because he knew that an offering that costs you nothing, isn’t much of an offering. Sometimes it is only when we are stretched that we are truly submitting to the Lord – and relying on Him as our Source (instead of whatever we have accumulated). David built the altar, offered burnt and peace offerings, and the Lord accepted them. The plague stopped, withdrawn from Israel.

Summary

Key Players: God, David, Joab, Gad, Araunah

Key Themes: Covenant, Honour, Pride, Obedience, Repentance, Mercy

Key Verse(s): 2 Samuel 23:1, 13-17; 24:1-4, 10, 14, 24-25