Joel M Bradshaw

10David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”–2 Samuel 24

1. This ending chapter of 2 Samuel recounts a prideful moment for David sometime in his reign.
2. David ordered a census of his armies. I think he wanted to brag and flex regarding his numbers of soldiers. Or maybe he would receive some comfort in knowing how powerful he was. There was still an idol at work in David’s heart, for God to later respond so angrily.
3. This census would have been received like making his victories more about his army’s power than about God’s power. Even Joab his general told David it was foolish, and David had to overrule him!
4. Yet notice how David approaches God with his sin.
5. There would still be consequences in this chapter for David’s pride.
6. Like David, we need to humbly own our sins before God and others.
7. Read the rest of the chapter. How do you live this?–JMB