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Sinful Census and David’s House

Cornerstone Church

The last significant events of David’s life are recorded in this week’s reading. This week will also see the end of the book of 2 Samuel, which was a history of Israel’s transition from tribes to a unified kingdom. This transition was mainly under the last judge and prophet, Samuel. The majority of the reading this week will come from 1 Chronicles. As a reminder, the focus of the book encourages a post-exile Israelite nation by reminding them of the coming messiah through David and the future of the temple. Chronicles shows all the positive stories of David, focusing on the preparation for the first temple in Jerusalem. Like Moses and the tabernacle, David organizes the people and material for the eventual building project by David’s son Solomon. One story, found in both Samuel and Chronicles is the account of David’s "sinful census". This highlights David’s repentance and the coming messiah. The Bible doesn't say why it was sinful, but the implication is that David was preparing to have a standing army to invade his neighboring nations. Just before Jerusalem is about to fall into judgment, David calls for mercy in a prophetic way.



Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.


R - Repeated words

E - Examine and mark

A - Ask what you learn about God

D - Do if there is anything to do


P - Praise

R - Repent

A - Ask

Y - Yield 


Bible Plan Reading - Week 28



START IT.

We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of 2 Samuel or 1 Chronicles , what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?


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STUDY IT.

Read 2 Samuel 3:26-28, 37-39. Read 2 Samuel 16:7-13. Read 2 Samuel 19:21-23. What does this show about the sons of Zeruiah? How does David respond differently in these situations?

 

Read 2 Samuel 24:3-4 or 1 Chronicles 21:3-4. What is Joab’s counsel to David? Read 2 Samuel 24:10, 14 or 1 Chronicles 21:8, 13. What is David’s eventual response showing his repentance and trusting in the Lord? How is this different than what happened to cause David to repent in 2 Samuel 12:1,7?

 

Read 1 Chronicles 15, 18, 28. Read 2 Chronicles 3:1. Read Genesis 22:2, 10-14. Where was the threshing floor? Read 1 Chronicles 22:1. Where would the temple be built?

 

Read 2 Samuel 24:17 or 1 Chronicles 21:17. Where does David say the curse of Judgement to fall so that it does not fall on the people (his sheep)?

 

Read John 10:1-18. What better shepherd was David pointing to? On which member of the bloodline of David did the curse fall according to John 10:15?



​​SHARE IT.

With being more than halfway through the Bible Reading Plan this year, what are your biggest lessons learned as you've attempted to read through the Old Testament?

 

Were you shocked by David's sin? Why or why not?


How have you been reminded of Jesus in the reading this week? Has anything reminded you of scripture in the New Testament?


Read Psalm 20:7. David census’ was about the idolatry of power, and for David that meant fighting-age men. What is that you look to in your life for security? What is it that if you have enough of you think you will be secure? How are you reminding yourself to trust in the name/reputation/promises of the Lord our God today?

 

Go back to 2 Samuel 12:1,7, 24:10. What was the difference in David’s repentance from Bathsheba's repentance? How are you responding to your salvation in more joyful obedience today than 3 months ago?



FINAL THOUGHT

David was constantly rebuking two of his mighty warriors. They were brothers. Joab was the general of David’s army, and Abishai was ‘chief of the thirty’ of David’s mighty men. Both men were experienced soldiers, and in some cases ruthless killers. David recognizes their harshness and contrasts his own gentle and grace in handling situations. David will also say in multiple places in response to their harshness “what have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?” (2 Samuel 16:10, 19:22). Despite Joab’s ruthlessness, he would be the one to challenge David to not take a census. This points to the outrageous plan of David. David was shifting the mindset of the people to depend on power instead of God’s provision; something we can all relate to. God had to judge this mindset. God’s judgement would remove Israel’s ability to project power, whether by famine, conquest by another country, or a plague. Just when a plague was going to wipe out Jerusalem, David prayed for mercy and for the hand of God to fall against David’s house. The hand of the angel was kept from coming down on David’s sheep at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite which would be the future Temple Mount. This is the same location (Mount Moriah) that Abraham’s hand was stayed from killing Isaac, and God provided the ram instead. David chose God’s mighty hand instead of his own, depending on God’s mercy. Why could God’s justice be stopped in favor of God’s mercy? God’s mighty hand would fall in perfect justice on the bloodline, Jesus, the son of David, for the sake of God’s sheep. Jesus received perfect justice in order that His people would receive perfect mercy.

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CORNERSTONE CHURCH

479-782-5800

2201 Dallas St, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Mailing Address

P.O. BOX 714

Fort Smith, AR 72902

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