Focus Chapters:
- 2 Samuel 24:1-9
- 1 Chronicles 21:1-6
- 2 Samuel 24:10-17
- 1 Chronicles 21:7-17
- 2 Samuel 24:18-25
- 1 Chronicles 21:18-30
- 1 Chronicles 22
Standout Verse(s):
1 Chronicles 21:1-5, 7, 14 NLT
Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.”
But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?”
But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem and reported the number of people to David. There were 1,100,000 warriors in all Israel who could handle a sword, and 470,000 in Judah.
God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.
So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 people died as a result.
1 Chronicles 22:1-5, 18 NLT
Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the LordGod and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!”
So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David.
David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.
“The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people.
Observation (s):
- David triggered a census that did not receive God’s seal of approval.
So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.”
God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.
- David made preparations to build the Temple of the Lord. To show His approval, God gave Israel a season of peace.
David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.
“The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people.
Application:
“If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail” is a common phrase that has graced the front or back pages of examination booklets. It is true! Preparation is a necessary tool to reduce the risk of failure. However, a more critical tool is God’s stamp of approval on the intent behind our preparation activities.
While the intent behind the census is unclear, David triggered a census and roused God’s anger! Whatever David was making preparations for caused Israel to sin, as Joab had predicted. Eventually, the intent behind his preparations cost 70,000 Israelites their lives!
In another season, David begun preparations for building the Temple of God. Although he could have no part in building, he ensured that his young and inexperienced son, Solomon, would have all the materials he needed to make a magnificent memorial. God, in giving His stamp of approval, gave the Israelites a season of peace to carry out their preparations and execution.
What great plan or event are you preparing for? Ensure you have God’s stamp of approval. Preparation reduces the risk of failure but God’s stamp of approval guarantees success.
