David takes a census of the fighting men in his kingdom. The Bible’s book of Second Samuel accounts for the census in this way:
Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” (2 Samuel 24:1-2)
But the Bible’s book of First Chronicles accounts for the census in a different way:
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.” (1 Chronicles 21:1-2)
In the former account the LORD commands David to take the census, then punishes him after David does as he is commanded. There is a logical problem with this account. If God commands and David obeys, then why is David punished?
In the latter account Satan tempts David with the desire to know the number of troops under David’s command. Apparently the narrator of this account had thought about the logical implications of the account as given in the Bible’s book of Second Samuel. Accordingly, he attributes the temptation of David to the tempter himself, namely, Satan.
Why is it sinful for David to want to know the total number of fighters under his command? I imagine his desire shows a lack of respect for the LORD who is worshiped as the deliverer of Israel. Again and again the LORD gives battlefield victories, even when Israel faces various disadvantages. The LORD gives victory, not chariots, not horses, not superior troop strength. Why not trust the LORD?
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