Chronological Reading Plan for May 22, 2 Sam 24, 1 Chron 21-22, Psalms 30

Today's readings are 2 Sam 24, 1 Chron 21-22, Psalms 30. Tomorrow's are Psalms 108-110.

2 Samuel 24:​9 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000. 

1 Chronicles 21:5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.​

The differences seem to be attributed to how the count was taken and who was included in it. The Chronicler did not include Levi but also mentioned that Joab did not count Benjamin either. The author of Samuel may have included them but not necessarily all of the tribes of the Southern kingdom. Whatever combinations of those numbers the author of Samuel used may be different from the combination the Chronicler used.

In any event, this is the result of David numbering Israel out of pride, Joab resenting the order and taking things into his own hands makes things worse by doing less than he was told. The emphasis in both passages is not on the accuracy of the numbers, but the pride and disobedience of the participants and the confusion and consequences that ensue when God is not in the proceedings.

You can hear David's recognition of his sin (Ps:30:6) and his repentance in Ps 30:8-10.

The lesson for us as believers is to be careful of numbering our accomplishments for our own satisfaction and edification. David struggles with the issue of pride. Joab struggles with judgmental-ism and self-righteousness. Notice how David stumbles and Joab makes things worse. SIn in response to sin never edifies or heals. 

But there's another lesson as well, one we see repeatedly. The response to sin is repentance, heartfelt, contrite repentance. We neither ignore it nor incessantly revist it. We repent, God restores.