Peter Barnes | 2 Samuel 24
SERMON NOTES
DAVID’S CENSUS
2 Samuel 24, part 1
Walter Chantry: ‘David was not out of the Devil’s reach when his hair was grey.’
1. The sin of Israel and of David.
– 24:1. Why was God so angry with Israel? 2 Sam.15-18 and 20?
– David’s sin seems clearer. There is nothing wrong with counting heads – Num.1:1-3.
– probably connected to a military motive – 24:2. Measuring success by statistics is a dangerous exercise for evangelists and for churches. Augustine: ‘All other vices are to be apprehended when we are doing wrong, but pride is to be feared even when we do right.’
2. The sovereignty of God over evil.
– 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1.
– Job 1:12, 21 for another example; two motives involved in the crucifixion of the Messiah – Acts 2:23.
3. David’s sorrow over sin.
– 24:2-4; see 1 Tim.3:7. Joab senses something is wrong before David.
– 24:10-15. Three possible punishments – 24:12-13. God causes grief but He delights in lovingkindness – Lam.3:32-33; note John 3:17.
– even in old age, sin can damage us greatly.