Peter Barnes | 2 Samuel 24
SERMON NOTES
DAVID’S CENSUS: MERCY & ATONEMENT
2 Samuel 24, part 2
– God was angry with Israel before He was angry with David and his census – 24:1. David points to Christ.
1. God’s mercy restrains His holy wrath.
– 24:15-16. There is a tension between mercy and justice – Ex.34:6-7; Ezek.18:32; Luke 15:10.
– Araunah (Ornan in 1 Chron.21:18) has a field on Mount Moriah (Gen.22), and where the temple would be in the time of Solomon.
2. David’s self-sacrificing intercessory prayer.
– 24:17. This is a noble prayer, although not entirely accurate (see 24:1). He reminds us of Moses (Ex. 32:31-33) and Paul (Rom. 9:1-3).
– one of our most pressing tasks is to intercede in prayer for sinners.
3. Atonement is costly and necessary.
– 24:18-19. Prayer must lead to obedience.
– David is self-sacrificing; he does not seize property from his subjects as Ahab was to do later with Naboth’s vineyard. The king himself pays for the sacrifices. Justice is satisfied, and mercy is made known.
Chosen, not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord on earth to show,
By my love how much I owe (Robert Murray M’Cheyne).