I came upon chapter 24 in 2 Samuel quite by accident, but it struck me as apropos for these times. This is one of the last acts of King David, when the kingdom of Israel was prosperous and powerful and David was both honored and feared. He ignores advice and reaps a plague.
His last act is to demand a census of all his fighting men. His commanders object, but he overrules them. They count 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.
Immediately, King David says, “I have done a very foolish thing.” What foolish thing has he done? Is there something wrong with conducting a census? No. The answer lies in his purpose for demanding a census.
The United States’ 2020 Census is going on right now. It is mandated every 10 years by the Constitution to provide support to the people, as well as to determine the number of seats each state will have in the US House of Representative. The purpose of our census is to provide for the welfare of the people.
King David ignores the advice of his experts because he wants to know how many men will fight for him. Its only purpose is to reassure his ego.
When David hears there are over a million fighting men, he suddenly recalls (or is reminded) of the law in Exodus 30:12 – “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.”
The Mosaic Law is very specific (Exodus 30:12-16). As soon as the people are counted, each life must be ransomed with a half shekel (silver coin) as an atonement. In today’s currency, that’s $6.5 million to be paid to the Lord or risk calamity. No wonder David is conscience-stricken. He not only has a huge bill due, but his abuse of power has put his people in jeopardy.
In verse 11, Gad the Prophet gives him three options: 1) 3 years of famine; 2) 3 months of fleeing from an enemy; or 3) 3 days of plague. David choses Option 3. He says, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord for his mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”
David’s choice reveals his heart. His motives are selfish. He doesn’t mind bringing a plague on his people, as long as he doesn’t suffer from the pursuit of men. So, a plague comes and claims 70,000 innocent lives.
Verses 16 and 17 says, “. . . the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, ‘Enough! Withdraw your hand.’ When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family.”
Finally, David confronts his part in the calamity and repents. No more excuses. It’s one thing to feel bad, but it’s another thing to change your ways. David admits his error, repents and atones.
The rest of the chapter (18-25) details how David atones for his sin. The last sentence in 2 Samuel 24 says, “Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land and the plague on Israel was stopped.
The striking similarities in this story to what we are experiencing in 2020 should give us pause. While I don’t think God is punishing us with the coronavirus, I do see this difficult time as an opportunity for each of us to grow in faith and fellowship with God. This story serves as an admonition to examine our hearts, consider our motives, and confront our weaknesses as we seek to worship and serve our Lord.