July 10, 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
A Lesson from King David
Reading from 1 Chronicles 21:1-5 (NASB):
“Then satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, ‘Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.’ Joab said, ‘May the Lord add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?’ Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. Joab gave David the number of the census of all…who drew the sword.”
The story of King David numbering the people Israel is a sad and sobering passage of Scripture. His actions brought severe judgment on Israel. At first glance, a census seems normal and harmless. However, Israel was instructed when and how they were allowed to do so in Exodus 30. Restricting them in this practice was because God did not want their trust to EVER be in their own strength and numbers, rather than Him.
David’s action was a severe sin, first of all, because of his gross and willful disobedience. But his actions also revealed something else very troubling: pride had crept into David’s heart. Counting his army was a way of David saying, "Look at what I have built; look at my power.” By ordering a census without God’s explicit command, this once humble shepherd, was acting as if he were the ultimate owner and master of Israel, rather than God’s appointed steward. It was an act of pride and a usurpation of God’s ownership and authority.
And lastly, numbering the army shows us that David was shifting his reliance from God’s supernatural protection to the size of his military. He wanted to look at a number on paper to feel secure.
The irony of this is that when David fought Goliath, he had famously said, “The Lord saves not with sword and spear” (1 Samuel 17:45). He knew that the strength of the enemy didn’t determine victory or defeat, but whether or not the Lord was fighting for them.
David later wrote Psalm 20: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Comparing this with the census narrative above reveals a change in David’s heart. His faith and commitment to God had suffered significantly. How did this happen?
Psalm 20 was likely written when David was younger, at the height of his military campaigns. In those days, his army was small and had to win its battles through sheer faith and trust in God…just as the Lord wanted. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God gave a specific command for any future king of Israel: “He must not acquire many horses for himself.” God wanted Israel’s kings to remain dependent on Him, not the size of their military.
When David wrote Psalm 20, I’m sure he truly believed what he was writing. He knew that earthly military might was nothing compared to the power of God’s name and His blessings. When he was an underdog facing a giant with nothing but a sling, it was trust God or die. But time and success can take their toll.
Fast forward a few decades. The census took place during David’s twilight years. He was no longer a poor young shepherd fighting giants; he was an established, wealthy monarch. Decades of success, political security, absolute power, and, much learning had subtly eroded his reliance on God. David didn’t just wake up one day and suddenly decide to abandon his faith and trust; it was a gradual fade!
By the time of the census, the temptation to count his “horses and chariots” (his military might) had finally won. But the census became inevitable the moment David stopped looking to God for security and began relying on his own abilities and numbers. Now that he had a powerful army, the underlying mindset was, “We can handle things ourselves.”
David’s loss of faith in God serves as a powerful warning to all of us: Yesterday’s experiences, lessons, and spiritual victories can breed pride and self-sufficiency if we are not vigilant to guard against them. Humility is our responsibility, we must choose, not ask God for. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Verse six of this chapter tells us He gives grace to the humble.
This brings me to the primary purpose of today’s post. I feel a strong urge to pray for President Trump and his entire team. It would be quite easy for the most powerful person in the world to fall into the same trap that snared David. I quoted the beatitude from Matthew 5:3 in a recent post: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The New Living Translation states, “God blesses those who…realize their need for him.” We must pray that President Trump and all those in his administration are continuously reminded of just how much they need God’s guidance and help.
America is great because of the great God she aligned herself with. And yes, we have begun our journey back to Him. But this journey could be sidetracked very quickly through pride, disobedience, and complacency. It is worth repeating what Ben Franklin said during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, after the delegates had neglected to corporately humble themselves and ask for God’s help. When failure seemed likely, and the struggle reached a desperate point, he stood and referenced God’s “superintending providence” in bringing the nation to liberty. Franklin then stated: “And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
“We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building, no better than the builders of Babel…”(1)
The same is true regarding America’s rebuilding in our day. Let’s pray.
Pray with me:
Father, America is without question the most powerful nation that has ever existed militarily. We are also the richest. Our blessings are beyond comparison. But we are blessed and prosperous because of You. Your Word says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12), and we are inarguable proof of this promise.
Remind us that we can be patriotic and love our nation without succumbing to arrogance and pride. We can, and must, choose humility. In the past, we Americans, like David, have exalted ourselves and failed to remember that You made us great. Remind us of Christ’s words that You bless those who realize their need for You.
And we pray especially that You remind President Trump and his team EVERY DAY of their need for Your guidance and wisdom. Only You can turn around our nation. Only You can heal our land and restore it to greatness. Only You know the exact path to ending Iran’s evil rule. And as our leaders humble themselves before You, give them the grace You promised. Think through their minds, download Your thoughts, release Your strategies. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Our decree:
We choose to humble ourselves before our great and holy God, asking for and receiving His abundant grace.