Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. (1 Chronicles 21:2)This is one of those times when the writer neglects to share with us the details that must have been obvious to him. Why was it a problem for David to count his fighting men?
When we read the account of David, we can only be amazed at his win-loss record. I haven't counted up his wins, but I can tell you how many fights he lost. None.
Why did he always win? Was it because his vast army outnumbered his foes? No. There are plenty of occasions when David led the smaller fighting force, but he still managed to pull out a victory every time. Was it because he was better equipped? No. Many of his enemies had chariots. David didn't see their value. For the most part, his men were foot soldiers.
David always won. Why? It wasn't because of numbers; it wasn't because of weaponry; it was because God was on his side.
So what was the problem?
David counted his fighting men because he wanted to know if he had enough men to defeat any enemy that might rear its head. For the first time in his life, David was putting his faith in his own strength, and his own resources, rather than in the presence of God.
Think about David the next time you pay your bills before seeing if there's enough left over to tithe.
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