August 1^24
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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After crossing the Kidron they climbed up the Mount of Olives, and as they climbed every man bowed his head and prayed and wept. Just as they reached the top of the mountain, tired, hungry and sad, they met Ziba, the ser vant of the lame boy Mephibosheth and what do you think he had brought with him? Mules, for the king and his family to ride upon, and 200 loaves of bread and 100 bunches of raisins and lots of summer fruit and a bottle of wine for those who might be sick. Don’t you believe everyone was glad to see him? Surely God prepared a table for King David in, the presence of his enemies that time, didn’t He? And Xttai and the children and all the others had a share too. But Ittai was rewarded beside, for when the King formed his soldiers into an army he made Ittai captain over a third part of the army, and they went out and won a victory for King David so that he was able to go back to Jerusalem in peace. Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank Thee that Thou hast said, “ Lo I am with you alway.” May we know that through all the dark places and in all the battles of life, Thou art with us, because we have accepted Thee as our Saviour and King, and Thou hast made us Thine Own. Amen. i p AUGUST 31, 1924 (Lesson 48) DAVID’S SIN IN NUMBERING ISRAEL 2 Samuel,. Chapter 24 Golden Text: “ Pride goeth before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18. Outline: (1) Deluded by Satan, vs. 1-3. (2 ) Deferred Chastisement, vs. 4-9. (3 ) David’s Choice of Punishment, vs. 10-17. (4) Devotion of Possessions, vs. 18-25. Introduction: In Chapter 21 we had the account of a three years’ fam ine. The opening verse of Chapter 24 is so abrupt that it has been suggested that it should have followed Chapter 21. The famine was followed by pestilence and the blame was largely resting upon David. It is LESSON inevitable that sin must be manifested, EXPOSITION but woe unto him through whom it comes! T. C. Horton (1) DELUDED BY SATAN, vs. 1-3, “ But why doth my Lord the king delight in this thing?” v. 3. Someone or something moved David to number Israel. The word “ again” in the first verse indicates that it was subsequent to the famine. “Three great external calami ties are recorded in David’s reign, marking the beginning, the middle and its close; a three years’ famine; a three months’ exile, and a three days’ pestilence.” Was the taking of a census a crime? God had directed a census in former years (Ex. 30:11-16; Num. 2 6 :2 ). A census is sometimes necessary and is always an advantage in governmental affairs. David had evidently not consulted God, nor his own officers. Joab expostulated and David admitted his mistake in v. 10. The solution of the problem is found in 1 Chron. 21:1: “ And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel.” (Read also vs. 2-4). Satan, the enemy of God and man; Satan, the person who deluded Adam and Eve, the god. of this age; Satan, who is the father of lies and who never ceases his destructive work; Satan, who is now at work in the world as never before because he knows
his time is short; Satan, who hates our Lord Jesus Christ and who hates the B ible^—he it was who was the cause of David’s sin. .“ Pride goeth before a fall.” David should have con sulted God. Pride in the numerical growth of Israel con strained him. Can we learn a lesson right here? Why does not the church consult the Lord more definitely about the development of its life?, Why should the church be going into debt? Why should it be filled with unholy zeal to compete with worldly agencies? Why do we, as indi viduals, take things into our. own hands in place of asking God for wisdom and direction? Do we forget that Satan is still active and that he hates God and seeks to destroy God’s enterprises by the insinuation of his own methods? David fell where we all fall. He sinned against God and so do we. (2) DEFERRED CHASTISEMENT, vs. 4-9. Nine months were consumed in the work of taking the census. David, during this season, seemed unmindful or insensible to his sin. He awaited the report, no doubt, with a proud heart. The returns were in at last and David found himself the ruler of a million soldiers and no doubt felt as did Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4 :3 0 ). But his exalta tion did not last long. The words of Joab in v. 3, “Why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?” came back to him. He had a restless soul. God had not spoken yet. No doubt there was exaltation among the people, but it must be short-lived. Can any one be happy for any length of time out of the will of God? Is not a surrendered will the very essential foundation for a happy, useful Christian life? Then why not surrender and delight to do His will? (3) DAVID’S CHOICE OF PUNISHMENT, vs. 1-17, “ I am in a great strait; let us fall in the hands of the Lord.” v. 14. David awoke from his fairy dream. His conscience smote him. He had taken the bit in his teeth and had had his own way. He had transgressed. But now he is to find that the way of the transgressor is hard. (Prov. 13 :15 ). David comes to himself and comes to God. “I have sinned greatly in that I have done wickedly.” That sounds good. It sounds good to us and to God. It must have been pretty hard for David, the king, with his great census in one hand and his confession in the other, to stoop at God’s foot-stool and pour out his confes sion. But the load is lifted when the confession is made. All of us who are honest with ourselves know what a relief it was for David (1 John 1 :9 ). We will never be at rest with any concealed sin in our hearts. Hasten to Him and pour out your soul’s confession and let Him put His hand of benediction upon your head. Gad, the seer, comes with a message from God. David's prayer has been heard, but a penalty must be paid. The alternative is offered to David of three things in judgment: seven years of famine; retreat for three months from his enemies; or three days of pestilence. He must choose. He and his people must suffer. The test was made to prove David. It was no easy thing for David, but he committed himself and, his people into the custody of Jehovah. What a lesson to learn! Let God have His way. “ Commit tl*y ways unto the Lord.” We belong to Him. Let Him choose the pun ishment. Three days of pestilence was God’s decree, and seventy thousand men paid the price of David’s sin. What if the angel’s hand had not stayed? Jerusalem would have been blotted but (1 Chron, 21 :15 ).
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