Gad Who? ∙∙

Gad Who? ∙∙

David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel – from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south – so I may know how many people there are.” – 2 Samuel 24:2

2 Samuel 24:10 But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, LORD, for doing this foolish thing.”

Defining Adulthood

What does it mean to be an adult? One word defines it best: responsibility. The transition from childhood to adulthood is marked by accepting personal accountability. Unlike children, who tend to shift blame or depend on others to fix their problems, adults understand they are fully responsible for both their actions and their consequences. True adults own their mistakes, work to correct them, and strive to make things right. Their mantra is simple yet profound: “It is up to me.”

Spiritual Adulthood

Spiritual maturity mirrors this concept of responsibility. A mature believer strives to live by the Father’s standards, acknowledges their sins, and aligns themselves with God’s will. They seek forgiveness and pursue cleansing with a heart dedicated to emulating the life and principles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their guiding philosophy is clear: “It falls upon me to reflect the character and teachings of my Lord Jesus Christ.”

David’s Census

A census, by itself, may seem harmless—even necessary. For example, in the United States, a census is conducted every ten years and plays a critical role in determining the population and redistributing representation in Congress.

David decides to take a census. What could go wrong? But things took a troubling turn. Why did this act weigh so heavily on David’s conscience? What questions did it raise, and what was his hidden agenda?

Taking a census was not inherently wrong. It was practiced before without provoking God’s disapproval (see Numbers 1 and Numbers 26). The Torah even provided guidelines for conducting a census. According to Exodus 30:11-16, a census included a temple tax, which funded the tabernacle and sacrificial system (Exodus 38:25-28) and later became known as the temple tax mentioned in Matthew 17:24-27.

However, David’s census was different. This was not a temple tax. Instead, it was a military census. Its purpose was to measure the strength of Israel’s army. David’s officials reported that 1.3 million troops were fit for battle (2 Samuel 24:2). On the surface, this might seem like a strategic, necessary move, but the real issue lay beneath. What’s the problem?

The Problem with David’s Actions

The underlying problem depended entirely on one critical question: Who was Israel’s true Commander-in-Chief?

The Lord of Hosts is the ultimate Commander of Israel’s armies. The kings of Israel were to walk by faith, relying on God’s provision rather than counting on their own strength. For the kings of Israel, the size of their military force should have been irrelevant because the Father Himself supplied all the power and might they needed. Yet, David allowed pride to cloud his judgment.

Taking this census was not about honoring God; it was about inflating David’s own sense of importance. The size of his army became a source of misplaced pride and security. His decision demonstrated a lack of trust in God’s leadership and provision. By focusing on numbers, David revealed his reliance on human strength rather than the limitless power of the Lord.

A Lesson in Trust

Ultimately, David’s census teaches us a sobering lesson about the importance of responsibility and trust. Just as adults are called to take responsibility for their actions, spiritual maturity requires us to place unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty. Pride and self-reliance have no place in our walk with the Lord. A life of faith demands not only humility but the courage to trust God fully, acknowledging Him as the One who is truly in control.

REFLECT & PRAY

On June 18, 1815, Napoleon faced his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Rather than risk falling into the hands of the Bourbons, Prussians, or Austrians, he chose to surrender to the British. Why? He believed that while the British might act with severity, they would also uphold fairness and justice.

Father, You are both just and merciful. How often I find myself caught in the messes of my own desperation. I acknowledge my mistakes, accept the weight of my choices, and wholeheartedly surrender myself to You.

INSIGHT

Tensions were mounting, and judgment was inevitable. He sent the prophet Gad to confront David.

In 2 Samuel 24:11-13, the Lord sent a message to David through the prophet Gad: “Go and tell David, ‘Thus says the LORD, I am offering you three options. Choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.’” Gad arrived at David’s side and proposed, “Should there be three years of famine in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days of pestilence in your land?

In a sense, God permitted David to choose his own punishment. It was reminiscent of the American TV show “Let’s Make a Deal,” which first aired in 1963 and was hosted by Monty Hall for 30 years. David was presented with three choices. He could make his own deal. He could choose the door to open and face the consequences that followed.

Behind the first door, three years of famine across the land.
Behind the second door, three months of fleeing from adversaries.
Behind the third door, a severe plague lasting three days across the land.

David’s choice demonstrated his profound understanding and unwavering trust in God’s love, grace, kindness, and mercy. He was a mature child of the King. He knew it would be severe yet fair.

2 Samuel 24:14 “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

David chooses punishment directly from the hands of God. It would be harsh, but it would be just. The justice of people is often unpredictable, capricious, and lacking mercy and grace. And David knew a secret. While we reap what we sow, the Father often grants remarkable mercy and grace. The Father forgives. He mitigates the punishment. Why? Because that is His nature.

The prophet Ezekiel captures the essence of the father’s loving and merciful heart in Ezekiel 18:32 I take no delight in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign LORD.

The Father sent an angel of destruction, and three days of plague began. People died. David was grieved; his heart was broken. As the angel prepared to strike Jerusalem, David, feeling remorse and guilt, pleaded with God for the city’s inhabitants.

2 Samuel 24:17 When David saw the angel, he said to the LORD, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep – what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.”

David cherished his flock like a shepherd, taking full responsibility for his actions. He acknowledged that he was the one who had sinned, not the people of Israel. He hadn’t considered the collateral damage his actions would cause.

David transitioned from a self-centered, supercilious king to a selfless shepherd. He asked that the Father punish him and his household rather than the innocent sheep of the house of Israel.

David was a man after the Father’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The Father saw David’s remorse and love for his people. He showed mercy and halted the destruction.

2 Samuel 24:16 But as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented and said to the angel, “Stop! That is enough!”

The plague ceased!

Before the story concludes, we see one more instance of David’s heart and devotion to the Father. He was instructed to build an altar on a piece of land owned by Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:18).

Despite being king and having the power to take anything he wanted, David insisted on purchasing the land from Araunah. Araunah offered to give it to David freely, but David refused the offer.

2 Samuel 24:24 says, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.”

Sacrifice, by its very nature, requires that a price be paid. Sacrifice involves cost. It is never free. His actions remind us all that genuine sacrifice consists of giving up something of value.

Every adult knows that.

What door would you choose?

¯_(ツ)_/¯10-23-3

© Dr. H 2025