Census: The Numbering of Israel by David
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The census conducted by King David, as recorded in the Old Testament, is a significant event that highlights themes of obedience, divine judgment, and repentance. This event is primarily documented in two parallel accounts found in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21.

Background and Context

The census took place during the latter part of King David's reign over Israel. The motivation behind the census is a subject of theological discussion. In 2 Samuel 24:1, it is stated, "Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, 'Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.'" This suggests that the census was a result of divine displeasure with Israel, though the specific reasons for this anger are not detailed in the text. In contrast, 1 Chronicles 21:1 attributes the incitement to Satan: "Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel."

The Act of Numbering

David instructed Joab, the commander of his army, to conduct the census. Despite Joab's objections, as he perceived the act to be sinful, David insisted. The census took approximately nine months and twenty days to complete, and the results were reported to David: "In Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and in Judah 500,000" (2 Samuel 24:9).

Divine Judgment

The act of numbering the people was seen as a transgression against God, as it demonstrated a reliance on military strength rather than trust in the Lord. Consequently, God sent the prophet Gad to David with a message of judgment, offering him a choice of three punishments: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chose to fall into the hands of the Lord, preferring divine mercy over human cruelty (2 Samuel 24:13-14).

The Plague and David's Repentance

The Lord sent a plague upon Israel, resulting in the death of 70,000 men. As the angel of the Lord was about to destroy Jerusalem, God relented and commanded the angel to stop. David, seeing the destruction, confessed his sin and pleaded with God to spare the people, saying, "I alone am guilty; I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand fall upon me and my father's house" (2 Samuel 24:17).

The Altar on the Threshing Floor

In response to David's repentance, Gad instructed him to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David purchased the site and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. The Lord accepted these offerings, and the plague was halted (2 Samuel 24:18-25). This site later became the location for Solomon's Temple, marking it as a place of significant spiritual importance.

Theological Implications

The census of Israel by David serves as a profound lesson on the importance of obedience to God and the dangers of pride and self-reliance. It underscores the necessity of repentance and the mercy of God, who is willing to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him. The event also highlights the role of divine sovereignty, as God uses even human failings to accomplish His purposes and bring about His will.
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2 Samuel 24:1-9
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
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1 Chronicles 21:1-8
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
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1 Chronicles 27:24
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
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Library

The Census of Israel
... eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai ... The time had come
for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... and seven thousand horsemen." In 2 Samuel 24:9, David's census is said to ... stood up
against Israel and moved David to number Israel." The numbering in both ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

The Question at Issue
... of the prophecy that the Ruler of Israel was to ... style, employed generally before
eras and numbering of years ... would appreciate the fact that the census in the ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 5 the question at.htm

The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
... But his idea of a secular kingdom of Israel, even if it ... We see that already, under
David, a numbering of the ... the menaces of the prophets.[2] The census, in fact ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter iv the order of.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... But the Roman taxation, which bore upon Israel with such ... Cyrenius), had taken a regular
census to show ... the Rabbis, who remembers that, if numbering the people ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Resources
Why was God so angry at David for taking the census? | GotQuestions.org

Does Luke's claim that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at the time of Quirinius' census match the historical record? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God order a census in the book of Numbers? | GotQuestions.org

Census: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Census

Census of the Roman Empire, by Caesar

Census: A Poll Tax to be Levied at Each

Census: The Numbering of Israel by David

Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses

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Census: A Poll Tax to be Levied at Each
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