Day 7

RECONCILIATION

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9

In ordering a census David had sinned publicly yet again. He realised his sin, confessed and repented. God forgave but showed his disfavour. David's word's (2 Sam. 24:14) reveal an implicit trust in God's justice and mercy. He showed too that he cared deeply for the nation of individuals he governed (v17).

On the same day that he repented God commanded David to build an altar on the site of Araunah's threshing floor. The Jebusite greeted the king, blessed him and would have given free use of the site but David insisted on buying it and the animals for sacrifice. David the sinner once again took on the role of priest king and offered a sacrifice to his God. The pestilence which had blighted the land was halted. David set aside this place for the temple which Solomon would build to the glory of God (2 Chron. 3:1) a site near where Abraham offered up Isaac (Gen. 22:2).

After recording all the troubles in David's reign the books of Samuel close with reconciliation and for David a demonstration of the faithfulness of God. He had gathered materials for the temple, selected a site and now he left the rest in God's hands for his son to accomplish.

David stands before God, submissive, representing his people as he acted as God's representative to them, acknowledging his sin and demonstrating his confidence in God's love and justice. He asks nothing more (Micah 6:8). May we stand before God in the same way (2 Cor. 5:17).