The Numbers Don't Matter

Passage: 1 Chronicles 21; 27:23-24

1 Chronicles 21 recounts almost verbatim an episode that is described earlier in 2 Samuel 24 (see previous post). The 1 Chronicles rendition doesn’t add much more by way of explanation, so the episode continues to be a bit mysterious. Both versions tell this story: King David is compelled to take a count of all the men of fighting age in his kingdom. His military advisor, Joab, cautions him against it. David dismisses Joab’s concerns and commands his general to take the count. The action, we’re told, is repulsive to Joab and to God. God responds by punishing Israel. It’s at this point that David recognizes the error of his ways, repents, and asks God to make it right. God gives David his choice of three different consequences; God’s demand for retribution is satisfied; life goes back to normal. End of story.

When we read through these accounts, we sort of recognize that something has gone wrong. But it’s not immediately clear what. There’s some ambiguity around what motivates David to take the census (is it God? Satan? David’s own ambition?); there’s some mystery about why it’s so bad for David to take the count in the first place. It’s not until we get to 1 Chronicles 22:23 that we get the explanation. It’s a brief explanation, but sufficient to clear up some of the confusion. Here’s what we’re told:
David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.

Why was it both unnecessary and offensive for David to count his men? Because God promised to give him enough. David started counting his fighting forces for two reasons: 1) To measure his own power and influence and 2) To assure himself that he had enough. God says, “Isn’t my word reassurance enough? If I say I will give you enough people, I’ll give you enough people. You don’t have to keep double checking!”

This is God’s response to us: “Isn’t my word reassurance enough? If I promise to give you what you need, why do keep double checking? Why do you so compulsively count your money and your stuff? Why do you seek your reassurance elsewhere? Trust me!”