2 Samuel 24: David’s Census

INTRODUCTION:

Different sins afflict different people at different times.  In our youth we are tempted by everything that is new, by the lusts of the flesh and the world of experience on offer.  When we are middle aged we are tempted by comfort and materialism as we settle down.  What are the sins of old age?  I cannot speak from experience but it appears as if we have one of those sins exhibited before us in 2 Samuel 24 when David counts the fighting men.  Pride.  When we come to the end of our lives and we look back we will be tempted to measure our importance and success by what we leave behind.  It could be the mark we leave with friends, accomplishments, fame. As we end the book of 2 Samuel we see our hero struggling with sin.  As we study this chapter we want to look at the sin, its consequences, and the reparations made for it.