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{{DOD-April}}
In chapter 24 we read of [[David]]'s [[sin]] in numbering the people. This is another example of [[God]] permitting [[Satan]] to work so that the purposes of the [[Lord]] might be fulfilled.
It was probably pride that lay behind [[David]]'s desire to number the people. He had won a number of great victories and perhaps wanted to bask in the glory of his success. There was certainly nothing wrong with a census, since the people had often been numbered during the national history, but we must keep in mind that a census that praised man would never glorify [[God]]. The factor to be considered here is Exodus 30:11-16. In connection with a census, there was always the matter of redemption money that was to be given by each one numbered. A silver shekel was a reminder that they were the [[Lord]]'s purchased possessions. Exodus 30:12 warns that [[God]] would plague the nation and thin out the ranks if the people ignored their redemption money. We will notice that this is exactly what happened.
[[David]] realizes his [[sin]] in numbering the people and confesses the [[sin]] to the [[Lord]], but his conviction and repentance came too late. [[God]] did permit [[David]] to choose his own discipline, and his choice showed the [[love]] and [[faith]] of his heart. He chose to fall into the hands of the merciful [[Lord]], rather than into the hands of men. From the morning until the evening [[God]]'s angel came again to plague the people, and in one day's time 70,000 [[Jews]] were slain. [[David]] cried out for the people and desired that [[God]]'s hand be against him. However, we must remember that [[God]] had a definite cause against the entire nation (chapter 24:1) and was using [[David]]'s [[sin]] as an opportunity to judge the entire nation.
I Kings 1 begins the study of the life and reign of [[Solomon]], [[David]]'s son, and successor to the throne of [[Israel]]. In [[David]] we had a type of Christ in His humiliation, exile, and rejection; but in [[Solomon]] we see the Prince of Peace (the name [[Solomon]] means "peaceable") reigning in glory and splendor over His people. [[David]] made the conquests that enabled [[Solomon]] to live and reign in [[peace]] and prosperity.
