2 Samuel 24 tells the story of David’s sin in ordering a census and the consequences of this action, which resulted in death and the purchase of a site on which an altar was to be built (which subsequently became the site on which the temple was built.) It’s a difficult chapter to understand (numbering people is not necessarily wrong, as other examples in the Bible make plain, and it’s hard to understand the different roles of God and Satan in this decision – see 1 Chronicles 21:1), but important principles do stand out as we wrestle with fathoming what is going on in this chapter!
It would seem that David’s sin was not simply the act of numbering but the problem of pride, his reliance on his own military strength through numbers instead of a reliance on God. Sometimes, our strengths can be as much of a stumbling-block as our weakness! (1 Cor 10:12) David, it seems, wanted to know how many military men were in his service so he could boast of his greatness instead of giving glory to God. When even Joab reckoned this job was repulsive, we know that there’s a problem!
David’s conscience was pricked and he came to see that his actions were sinful. God’s discipline of judgment came through Gad and in the form of three choices (3 years of famine, 3 months of fleeing from enemies or 3 days of plague.) He chose the last one, preferring God’s hand of judgment to man’s. He remembered God’s mercy, even in times of discipline. In fact, God’s mercy is an essential part of His unchanging nature (Mal 3:6), and though 70,000 died as a result of the plague, David’s cry for mercy was heard.
The plague stopped at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and God commanded David to buy this land to sacrifice there. Araunah, although a foreigner, would have willingly given the land to David (a reminder that believers have no monopoly on kind deeds!), but David understood that sin must be paid for, and was prepared to buy the land. We too understand that sin must be paid for, but rejoice in the fact that the price has been paid for us by Christ’s death on the cross.