Maybe some fellow Christians can help me with a lil bit of confusion i am haveing. I was reading 2 Samuel 24 and didnt understand what was the message. Although i get that the bible to me isnt a history book as much as it is a guide to living and maturing in my Lord Jesus Christ. Much deeper than any history book. I dont understand that the Lord is angry with Israel and causes King David to hurt them by doing a sensus. (here is where something is missing) Somehow King David sinned against the Lord and was given three choices how to pay for it. He chooses plague apparently and 70,000 people pay with thier lives. I am reading "The Book" wich is a plain english version or translation. Am i missing something here? Does someone have a expanded version of that book who can shine a little light on this? How did he sin by doing what the Lord made him do?


It troubles me whenever i read confusing books in the Bible and as i am reletivly new to this website, I will bring up often the things I need clarification on and I can think of no better people to ask, than other children of the Most High God. Bless You!

Zar

Here is a helfpful commentary on the subject...

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/1024.htm

a. The anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David: The translators of the New King James Version believe that "He" in this sentence applies to God, because they capitalize it. Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. The best explanation is that Satan moved David and is the "he" of 2 Samuel 24:1. Yet the Lord expressly allowed it as a chastisement against David.



i. "Now the 'he' there, we assume would be the Lord. But as we find out in 1 Chronicles, chapter one, it was Satan that moved David’s heart, to the numbering of the people. So God opened the door, and allowed Satan to move in and tempt David." (Smith)

See what i mean.... much deeper than the words. He may have done it (King David), then for his own glory. To stand back and say look how the nation grows under my rule. Vanity at its finest? 70,000 peeps paid with thier lifes for that mistake. Brutal. But King David could have insulated himself and his crew with one of the first 2 choices but he chose plague as that would expose him and his family as well. Dude was an amazing dude.