David had always adhered to the principle that the battle belonged to the Lord (1 Sam 17:47). But in his old age, he fell victim to Satan and was incited against the truth of God. By this time, the Israelite military had grown strong and won many victories. But David became proud and commanded Joab to count the Israelites, not to prepare for an impending foreign invasion, but to gratify his vanity as a powerful king. Even if he was concerned about possible invasions in the distant future, it was sin to misplace his trust in a large army instead of God.

As a result, God punished David and his people, and seventy thousand fell dead from a plague. At the same time, the people did not die as innocent victims of someone else’s sin, that is, David’s, but their own (cf. 2 Sam 24:1). This tragic event in Israel’s history instead testifies how David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)—not because of David’s sinless perfection, but because of his contrite heart (cf. Psalm 51).

David painfully acknowledged that he had sinned and begged for God’s forgiveness (6). Seventy thousand men had fallen dead, and the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel, “Enough! Withdraw your hand!” (15b).
Application: Father, thank you for your justice and mercy. You do not condone our sins but also forgive us when we repent. Amen.
One Word: Repent and have your sins forgiven