These are the last words of David. The last chapter of 2 Samuel records the census and the failure of David in this action.
2 Samuel 23: The Last Words of David
1 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2 "The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,
4 he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.
5 "For does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?
6 But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;
7 but the man who touches them arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they are utterly consumed with fire."
David's Mighty Men
8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.
9 And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.
10 He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.
11 And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines.
12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.
13 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem.
15 And David said longingly, "Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!"
16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the LORD
17 and said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
18 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three.
19 He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.
20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.
21 And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.
22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men.
23 He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.
24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25 Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod,
26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa,
27 Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah,
29 Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin,
30 Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim,
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel of Gilo,
35 Hezro of Carmel, Paarai the Arbite,
36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
2 Samuel 24: David's Census
1 Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, number Israel and Judah."
2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, "Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people."
3 But Joab said to the king, "May the LORD your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?"
4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.
5 They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer.
6 Then they came to Gilead, and to Kadesh in the land of the Hittites; and they came to Dan, and from Dan they went around to Sidon,
7 and came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites; and they went out to the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba.
8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.
The LORD's Judgment of David's Sin
10 But David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly."
11 And when David arose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12 "Go and say to David, 'Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.'"
13 So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, "Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days' pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me."
14 Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man."
15 So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba 70,000 men.
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, "It is enough; now stay your hand." And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, "Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father's house."
David Builds an Altar
18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up, raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
19 So David went up at Gad's word, as the LORD commanded.
20 And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground.
21 And Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" David said, "To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be averted from the people."
22 Then Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.
23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king." And Araunah said to the king, "May the LORD your God accept you."
24 But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.
Things to think about…
1. 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Is the final declaration of David and his trust in His God. While these words in some way seem prideful, they are a statement of truth. While David fell morally, he is an example of trust and faith in an almighty God. His heart was the Lords. His declaration in vss 5,6 “For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire? But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;” These words are true for every believer and those who are outside of Christ especially when the focus is upon eternity.
2. The names of David’s mighty men are a wonderful study, 2 Samuel 23:8-39. There are 3 who are listed as the mightiest, strongest and bravest men - Josheb-basshebeth – the greatest, vs 8, Eleazar, vs 9 and Shammah, vs 11. Their exploits are described in the passage. They are listed as the 3 that broke through the garrison of the Philistines that was stationed at Bethlehem at the time to get David water from the well at Bethlehem. The army would later destroy the Philistine army where they no longer attacked Israel. In the church there are faithful senior leaders who are wise and brave. They are not afraid to deal with any spiritual battle that comes into the church. Pray for our elders that they continue to serve with integrity, grace and boldness. We are blessed to have them.
3. After the initial 3 there are another 3 men that are listed as brave. They did not attain to the fame and recognition of the first 3. Two of these men are Joab’s brothers – Abishai and Asahel. While David describes them as harsh men, their qualities of bravery and skill were without question and as such are recognised for their bravery and skill. The other man is named as Benaiah. 2Sam 23:20. He came from the priestly line being the son of Jehoiada the priest, vss 22. He also became the commander of David’s personal bodyguard. He would later be instructed by Solomon to execute Joab and he then became the commander over Solomon’s army. Benaiah would also have a son and call him Jehoiada, 1Chr 27:34. This Jehoiada would take over from Ahithophel and serve as a priest, 1Chr 27:34.
4. There are then listed the 30 mighty men who were first in the army of Israel. Note the last name – Uriah the Hittite. He is listed in the middle when the same list is given in 1Chr 11. But here in 2 Samuel 23 there as a testament by the Holy Spirit that he was not only exalted as a brave warrior for Israel, but also as a reminder to David’s moral failure in having Joab and the army withdraw from him so he was shot with an arrow “of the Ammonites”. It was not honourable of David to have Uriah die in this way. But here his name is listed as last. Maybe by David, but for the reader, as a testament to the history associated with the man. These details affirm the integrity of the scriptures that its heroes are not portrayed as polished marble, but broken vessels the Lord has chosen to use throughout His story of redemption..
5. David numbers Israel. Here it says the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and so He (the LORD) incited David to “Go, number Israel and Judah”, 2Sam 24:1. The command is obnoxious to Joab, vs 3 as it should have been, but the Lord’s hand was behind it. Israel was rebelling against the Lord. David’s sin and the factional fighting between the northern tribes and Judah did not help. The account in Chronicles says that “Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.” 1Chr 21:1. So which is it, God or Satan? God used the instrument of Satan to discipline both David and Israel. Satan was used by the Lord to use Job as a servant blessed after trial. Satan sifted Peter like wheat to make him act in the Spirit and not the flesh, Luke 22:31. Satan influenced the godly Paul, 2Cor 12:8, to sure that grace stands above gifts. Here he would incite David as an instrument of judgment through a refining fire. Satan can influence us even though we are filled with the Holy Spirit. God is over all and will achieve His purposes. Many times the purpose is the same for us as the Apostle Paul and David before him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”, 2 Cor 12:9. Amen.
6. The number is recorded 800,000. In that number Judah had the lion’s share (pun intended) 500,000. David’s heart was struck after this sin, 2 Sam 24:10 as it often was in the past. Three options of judgement are given to him, vss 12-14. David had repented of his sin, but as always there are consequences and innocent people once again die. In this case 70,000 men from Dan to Beersheba, die through pestilence, vs 15. As with Corona virus recent years there was no distinction between the just and unjust. We lost faithful people to this disease and some through inoculations were adversely affected. Our comfort is that our gracious Lord is in control. Eternal life is secure, our trust is in Him.
7. David buys land and builds an altar for the Lord on the site of Araunah the Jebusite, 2 Sam 24:18-25. Interesting that not all the Jebusites were killed when Jerusalem was taken Some repented and sought after the Lord. Like this faithful man. This would be the site of the Temple and is a treasured piece of land that is still causing angst today. The Lord relented, “the LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.”, vs 25. He still relents and withholds judgement from the plague of sin as we submit to Christ.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer. Back on Wednesday night – Psalm 2. Join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for healing, a number of people have not been well
2. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the development of a project team.
3. Keep praying for PlayPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
5. Pray for peace over the US elections
6. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
7. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
8. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
9. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
10. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
11. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Sunday’s private prayer time was blessed – keep seeking the Lord privately this week.
2. New equipment for PlayPatch
3. New people at church
4. Praise God for our worship team. Well done Zac and Estefany
5. Tad’s health continues to improve.
6. Sally continues to amaze us with her interaction with everyone.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. PlayPatch back this Friday morning – 9:30am. Contact Anna for details
2. Men’s event. Conquering the Mount. Men’s racing. Fri 11th Oct @Church from 5:30pm. 16+. $10 each. Dress in team colours Red – Holden, Blue – Ford, Gold – Chevrolet. See Tim Freeman for more details.
3. Prayer meeting 5:30pm and Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for October...
Q. 25. Why did they eat the forbidden fruit? A. Because they did not believe what God had said.
Bible References – Gen.3:1-6; Heb.11:6.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
