We note again there are apparent discrepancies between the parallel texts of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. The differences, as usual, deal with numbering. Recall that in the Hebrew language there were no digits, and numbers were represented by words that often had other meanings, as well. Also note that a simple matter of point of view -- the prophetic/priestly view of Samuel-Kings, and the official scribal report in Chronicles -- can account for many differences in detail that merely appear to be discrepancies.
As this is a history review, we need not examine in detail every verse and chapter. 2 Samuel 22 is a copy of Psalm 18. Also, we note that chapter 23 is another Psalm followed by random accounts of why certain men were promoted. Noteworthy is Joab's absence, stricken from the record for his crimes. The heroes deserved their place in the record. 2 Samuel 24 is paralleled by 1 Chronicles 21.
2 Samuel 24:1-4 -- Late in David's reign, he is stricken with hubris. Over a long and successful career, David managed to humble every enemy of the Nation of Israel. However, we note that this people were often divided, often failing to follow God's anointed king with a whole heart. For this and other sins, the Lord had determined to judge the nation. We are permitted to see between the two sources just how this works. The sin of the nation puts them out from under the covering of Jehovah's grace. Without that protection, they are under His wrath, personified as Satan. By leaving the protection of God, Satan is permitted to bring a temptation for which David has no resistance. In his pride, David decides to call a census. More than just counting noses, this sets up the means for a more precise and oppressive taxation, as well as the count of men available for conscription. As with modern times, it required a bit of prying into the every man's affairs in a very intrusive manner, often costing the citizens a week or more in lost time better spent doing other things. A census is not in itself sinful, but was required by God at least twice in the Book of Numbers (hence the name). This census was not ordered by God.
It was the count of eligible soldiers that formed the basis of this census. Herein we have a strong opportunity for numbers being corrupted over centuries of copying the records. Ancient armies were counted as two separate kinds of soldiers: the professional man-at-arms and the citizen conscript. Not every professional warrior remained near Jerusalem; most were noblemen who owned great property and spent most of the year managing their business affairs. It was this wealth that permitted them the luxury of spending their time training and collecting weapons. The conscripts were essentially peasants, those whose lives required working full time just to live. They would naturally have some limited experience in sword-play, but only in the off-season when there was no work to do. Local noblemen typically organized these training events, and would keep some rough count of available men. The census bypassed their rough count, demanding that everyone stop what they were doing, and present themselves in some local assembly area to be counted. The trouble comes in that the numbers of conscripts would be easily confused by names of ranks for the noblemen. A typical professional warrior might be a commander of a battalion of conscripts (1000), and his rank is the same for the word that translates as "1000". The original record would confuse anyone reading later, and they might mix things up a bit. [See this footnote on Hebrew counting and numbers.]
Despite Joab's many character flaws, he knew this was not a good move. He warned David so, but David insisted.
24:5-9 -- We learn the route he took: crossing the Jordan, counting his way north up the Gilead side. From there he crossed back over and north to Dan, then down the coast, weaving inland and back as he worked his way down to the far southern wilderness. From there he swung back up to the Judean Highlands and into Jerusalem. Given what we know of the land and people, a million is not too high a number. The Chronicler notes Joab skipped Benjamin and Levi. The count took almost ten months.
24:10-14 -- David's conscience was stricken. When his heart was ready, the Lord sent Gad the Seer to announce the bad news. Again, we see a discrepancy between Samuel and Chronicles, but it would appear that counts of three were the theme: 3 years of famine, 3 months of fleeing an enemy, or 3 days of plague. David, having regained his senses, knew immediately God's mercy in wrath was a far better place than any trouble from humans. Thus, the Lord chose the plague.
24:15-17 -- This was no ordinary plague, but was directed by the hand of an angel. The angel began his work in Dan and rolled south across the nation. Having arrived just north of Jerusalem, just as he was about to strike the city, the Lord relented. The angel stopped and stood over Mount Moriah. David knew this was his chance to act, and wasted no time. Announcing his contrition, he went out to the flat space of ground above the city. In one of the rare glimpses of how the Lord's angels manifest themselves, we are told that this one appeared to hang in the air, yet low enough to remain visible, and identifiable. We are never advised in Scripture how they appeared, beyond some resemblance to human men, only that no one mistook their appearance unless it was part of the plan.
24:18-25 -- The man who owned the bit of real estate was a surviving Jebusite with a Hurrian name. Because Hebrew is written with consonants alone, and no vowels, it can be read as either Ornan or Araunah. The man's sons had fled upon seeing the angel, but he himself continued his work threshing the grain he had harvested. A good guess is that he knew whatever happened next would require his responsible hands to act. Upon seeing the king and his servants approach, Araunah paid proper respects by prostrating himself at David's feet. David explained his mission, asking to buy the place. Araunah answered as anyone in the Middle East today might answer, especially to someone of high importance. Further, his offer was perfectly matched to the need. However, David insisted the offering must cost him personally, since the sin was his. Scholars vary on what to make of difference between the two texts here: 50 shekels of silver versus 500 shekels of gold. Because of hints that silver was more valuable than gold among Hebrews at that time, they could conceivably be equal amounts. However, it's more likely one amount was for the oxen and equipment, and the other for the real estate. In any case, David paid a pretty high price.
Tradition says this was the same ground we know today as the Temple Mount. This accords well with David purchasing the place as a gift to God. We are reminded that the Tabernacle constructed in the Sinai Wilderness was standing at Gibeon. David desperately needed to make his offering to God there in the presence of the angel while he was stopped. Had he rushed off to the Tabernacle, it would have been a couple hours or so longer. The angel keeping his sword of death unsheathed, pointed at Jerusalem, indicated things were not yet settled. Once the offering was made, the sword was put away and angel withdrew.
1 Chronicles 22 -- The Chronicler connects the purchase of the threshing floor with the building of the Temple. The reason is obvious: the Tabernacle standing at Gibeon is a problem. We are not told, but it seems the Ark of Covenant must have been moved to the Tabernacle, where it belonged. Since the king served at the pleasure of Jehovah, why not build the Temple near the throne? Obviously this met with the Lord's approval. Mount Moriah had long been a holy place, both for pagans and with the Hebrew Nation since the time Abraham prepared to offer Isaac. David had been forbidden to build this, so he simply went about collecting adequate materials for both the structure and new furnishings. He also sought the Lord for plans, to insure this was not the work of mere man. Thus, he was able to hand over to Solomon the full set of drawings, the details of the furnishings, everything.
David knew early on that Solomon was God's choice to succeed him. David had been a man of war, and could not afford to be distracted from the task in order to build such a monumental thing. Solomon would be a man of peace, so it was important to train him differently. The character of his reign was administration, not conquest. This Temple construction was not something that would be finished quickly. Solomon spent the next few years working little else. That's why David gave his son the task long before retiring from the throne. Solomon would not dedicate the finished Temple until he had ruled fourteen years. It cannot be understated what a monumental task this was. We get the sense David had not gotten too involved in the details of preparation. Solomon would have needed to take a detailed inventory of all the materials available, then compare with the details of the Temple structure. It seems David was waiting for Solomon to have the plan well laid out, and could see the task well on its way before he could retire.
The Chronicler continues on noting the administrative details worked out during this period of transition. In chapter 23, the Levites are reorganized according to their new duties. The priests were lined up in the rotation of duties in chapter 24, and the musicians in chapter 25. The next two chapters cover a host of administrative tasks for the management of the Temple activities and facilities maintenance. Having made a census, the information was not wasted. The army was reorganized for a wholly different mission. We are told elsewhere their tactics and equipment were generally modernized during this time. This all takes us to the end of chapter 27.
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Ed Hurst
02 October 2004
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