2 Samuel 24

"Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'" v.1


Read chapter 24

This can seem pretty confusing. Why would God make David do a thing that causes him to sin? This sin of David then caused the death of 130,000 men to carry out His punishment against Israel. In 1 Chronicles 21:1 it says, "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel." So who did it? Who incited David to sin, God or Satan? James 1 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." So God doesn't tempt us but He does test us. Maybe like Job, God allowed Satan to tempt him?

Ultimately what comes about is not only their due punishment of what made God angry with Israel, but also David's heart still being chiseled away at as we see David's realization of his heart at the end of this chapter (v. 10, 24).

How do you respond when scripture is confusing or doesn't seem "right"? When have you felt tempted? Tested?