The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 610

0oNOLU8ION, 1. "Jeeue Christie the Object of the two Testaments: of the Old, itR expectancy; of the New, its model; of both, the centre" (Pascal). As in every part of the country there is a way which leads to the metropolis, so in every part of Scripture there is a we.y which lee.de to Christ. 2. The method of human salvation has a.I ways beon the same in the mind of God; bnt it he.a been gradually revealed to the mind of mon ; and wherever faith has been exercised in God, in so far as he has revealed hie saving purposes, it has been accounted for righteonenese. 3. "To the cross of Christ all eternity looked forward; to the cross of Christ a.II eternity will look b~ck. With reference to it all other objects were created and are still preserved; e.nd every event that takes place in heaven, earth, and hell is directed and overruled" (Payson). 4. "Where- fore, receiving e. kingdom," etc. (Heb. xii. 28). "Now the God of peace," etc. (Heh. xiii. 20, 21).-D. Ver. I0.-Sinful numbering. This is part of a narrative which presents various serious difficulties. The chief is that which arises from the statement that God moved David to commit the sin for which he afterwards punished him. In 1 Chron. xxi. I the instigator is said to be Satan, or" an adversary;" and it is possible to translate here (' Speaker's Commentary') "one moved David." Still, the translation in our English versions (both Authorized and Revised) is more natural. The statement reminds us of Numb. xxii. 20, 22, and is probably susceptible of a similar explanation. God gives permission to men who indulge sinful desires to gratify their desires. He says" Go" when they strongly desire to do so, and thus prmishes them by allowing them to sin, and then inflicting the penalty due to such sin. Moreover, the sacred writers speak more freely than we are accustomed to do of the agency of God in connection with the sins of men (see eh. xii. 11; xvi. 10; Exod. vii. 3; 1 Sam. xxvi. 19; I Kings xx:ii. 20-23; Ezek. xiv. 9, 10; Mark iv. 12; 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12). Our Lord teaches us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation," which implies that God may thus lead men. However, if David knew that in some sense God had bidden him number the people, he none the less felt that the sin of the proceeding was great, and that it was his own. I. DA vm's em. In what did it consist? As the narrative does not explain, and no law or statement of the Scriptures can be adduced in explanation, it is impossible to answer the question satisfactorily. That there was sin in the numbering of the people at this time, the strong remonstrance of the by-no-means-over-scrupulous or pious Joah (ver. 3) makes manifest. It may have been done in a spirit of pride and vain-glory, that the king might delight himself in the contemplation of the greatness of his armed forces. For it should be noted that only those that "drew the sword" (ver. 9) were counted. The kings of Israel were not, like other monarchg, to trust in the multitude of their armed men, but in their God, who could save or give victory by many or by few (1 Sam. xiv. 6; 2 Chron. xiv. 11). Possibly David may have had ulterior designs that were opposed to the will of God. He may have proposed to himself to reduce the people, as into more complete unity, so into more slavish subjection to the throne (comp. 1 Sam. viii.11-18); or he may have had designs of unjust aggression on other peoples. Similo.r sins are committed: 1. When men reckon up their achievements or possessions, or the number of their servants and retainers, in a spirit of pride, self-satisfaction, or false confidence (Dan. iv. 30). 2. When they sum up their wealth, not to consider how they may best employ it for the good of men and the glory of God, but to frame schemes of sinful indulgence (Luke xii. 19). 3. When the calculation of numbers or resources is made in order to determine the safety or otherwise of perpetrating or con- tinuing some injustice to others. Rulers increasing and reckoning their hosts, etc., with a. view to unjust wars, or the suppression of the liberties, or other violation of the rights. of their subjects. 4. When numbers are counted, instead of arguments weighed, pre- vious to adopting a religious or political creed, or to obtain encouragement in the practice of any wickedness (John vii. 48; Exod. xxiii. 2). II. DAVID'S REPENTANCE. It was long in coming-so long as to excite our amaze- ment. It included: 1. Conviction. "His heart smote him." His conscience accused him. He saw the greatness of his sin and folly. Sin is always folly, though folly is not a.lways sin (see on eh. xiii. 13). 2. Humble confession made to God. 3. Earnest prayer for pardon. III. His PUNISHMENT. Th11 r11ply lo his prayer w11,s I\Ot such ~ he may have hoped. U, ~Af4VEi,, 2 li  G26 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ on. XXIV. 1--:-25.