2Samuel:24

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* Verse 1-9 - For the people 's sin David was left to act wrong , and in his chastisement they received punishment . This example throws light upon God 's government of the world , and furnishes a useful lesson . The pride of David 's heart , was his sin in numbering of the people . He thought thereby to appear the more formidable , trusting in an arm of flesh more than he should have done , and though he had written so much of trusting in God only . God judges not of sin as we do . What appears to us harmless , or , at least , but a small offence , may be a great sin in the eye of God , who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart . Even ungodly men can discern evil tempers and wrong conduct in believers , of which they themselves often remain unconscious . But God seldom allows those whom he loves the pleasures they sinfully covet . * Verse 10-15 - It is well , when a man has sinned , if he has a heart within to smite him for it . If we confess our sins , we may pray in faith that God would forgive them , and take away , by pardoning mercy , that sin which we cast away by sincere repentance . What we make the matter of our pride , it is just in God to take from us , or make bitter to us , and make it our punishment . This must be such a punishment as the people have a large share in , for though it was David 's sin that opened the sluice , the sins of the people all contributed to the flood . In this difficulty , David chose a judgment which came immediately from God , whose mercies he knew to be very great , rather than from men , who would have triumphed in the miseries of Israel , and have been thereby hardened in their idolatry . He chose the pestilence ; he and his family would be as much exposed to it as the poorest Israelite ; and he would continue for a shorter time under the Divine rebuke , however severe it was . The rapid destruction by the pestilence shows how easily God can bring down the proudest sinners , and how much we owe daily to the Divine patience . mhcc @2Samuel:24:16 ,17 @ Verse 16 ,17 - Perhaps there was more wickedness , especially more pride , and that was the sin now chastised , in Jerusalem than elsewhere , therefore the hand of the destroyer is stretched out upon that city ; but the Lord repented him of the evil , changed not his mind , but his way . In the very place where Abraham was stayed from slaying his son , this angel , by a like countermand , was stayed from destroying Jerusalem . It is for the sake of the great Sacrifice , that our forfeited lives are preserved from the destroying angel . And in David is the spirit of a true shepherd of the people , offering himself as a sacrifice to God , for the salvation of his subjects . * Verse 18-25 - God 's encouraging us to offer to him spiritual sacrifices , is an evidence of his reconciling us to himself . David purchased the ground to build the altar . God hates robbery for burnt-offering . Those know not what religion is , who chiefly care to make it cheap and easy to themselves , and who are best pleased with that which costs them least pains or money . For what have we our substance , but to honour God with it ; and how can it be better bestowed ? See the building of the altar , and the offering proper sacrifices upon it . Burnt-offerings to the glory of God 's justice ; peace-offerings to the glory of his mercy . Christ is our Altar , our Sacrifice ; in him alone we may expect to escape his wrath , and to find favour with God . Death is destroying all around , in so many forms , and so suddenly , that it is madness not to expect and prepare for the close of life . Henry ' _1__1 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

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