Read 2 Samuel 24:1-25

“Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”” (2 Samuel 24:1)

Take note of the word “again.” The context does not tell us exactly what it was that aroused the LORD’s anger against Israel, but it was repeated and it had come to a culmination. Unrepentant sin must be dealt with eventually, whether by God’s punishment or by the sinner’s repentance, and in this case, God could no longer tolerate Israel’s persistent immorality.

This is not the first time we see Israel in habitual sin. Biblical history reeks of it, and the Scriptures do not shy away from showing us as a warning (see Judges 2:19; Nehemiah 9:28; Jeremiah 3:10).

But it is not the sinful pattern of Israel that is surprising. It is that God, seemingly pushes David toward sin in taking a census of Israel, all for the purpose of bringing punishment to the nation. To make matters more troubling, in the parallel record of this account in 1 Chronicles 21, it is written that Satan moved David toward this sin.

“Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.” (1 Chronicles 21:1)

What is going on here theologically? Is this a contradiction in Scripture? And what does it teach us about the goodness of God and His jurisdiction over Satan?

Let’s begin by understanding, first of all, that God does not tempt with sin and cannot be tempted by sin. Our Mighty Lord exists far beyond the grasp of evil, neither inviting it in or susceptible to its allure. God’s wrath is in harmony with His goodness and righteousness and holiness. Thus, the anger of God is always pure. Beloved, in all of our understanding about God, the goodness of God must be at the foundation.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed... [for with God] there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:13–14, 17)

This leads us to answer how God seemingly pushed David toward sin in order to punish Israel, and how Satan could be involved. There is both a historical answer and a theological answer to this question.

Historically, the perspectives of the authors from these two records must be considered. From the perspective of 2nd Samuel, God had a sovereign plan to bring evil to a culmination in order that He might righteously judge it. From the perspective of 1st Chronicles, Satan was the instigator who was allowed to tempt and entice David. The difference of perspective is not a contradiction, but a confirmation of what the rest of the Scriptures declare about the relationship between God, Satan, and mankind.

Theologically, it would be foolish to assume that the author of 2nd Samuel thought God was the author of David’s sin. Instead, the author reveals that God in His sovereignty was involved only in His jurisdiction over evil. As 1 Chronicles highlights, God gives men over to Satan’s devices when they walk in pride and unrepentance.

We see this most clearly in Romans chapter 1. The vein of God’s righteous judgment against the sin of mankind is not fire and brimstone, but giving men over to their own sinful passions. Paul says it three times!

”Therefore, God gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts... For this reason God gave them up to vile passions... God gave them over to a debased mind... being filled with all unrighteousness...” (Romans 1:24,26,28-29)

Because Satan is the author of sin, it follows that a man given over to his own sin is delivered over to Satan. Multiple times the Scriptures declare this. From the sexually immoral man in the church at Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-5), to the blaspheming teachers against the Gospel (see 1 Timothy 1:20), to the gossiping women in Ephesus (see 1 Timothy 5:15), and so forth. The whole world is under the sway of Satan, and those who willingly participate in sin are given over to him.

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

We also learn from Scripture that God allows Satan to test His people, in order that God might sanctify and humble them. This becomes clear from the beginning, for God had allowed Satan to roam about paradise as a serpent in order to test Adam and Eve. Later, Satan was given permission to test Job. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul recognized that his thorn in the flesh was both ordained by God’s will, but placed there by Satan’s hand, in order to learn humility and receive God’s grace through weaknesses.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7–9)

Returning to our selected verse, therefore, we may rightfully conclude that because of David’s pride (see 2 Samuel 24:10) and because of Israel’s sin, God gave them over to Satan’s devices. But God sovereignly used this, both to teach David the costliness of pride (see 2 Samuel 24:14, 24-25), and to punish Israel for their immorality (see 2 Samuel 24:15).

Beloved, as we have surveyed the fuller context of Scripture on this matter, we can extract a resonating application for our lives today. Heed these words: pride and sin invite the devil himself (see James 3:14-16; Ephesians 4:27). But, oh! — our Almighty, Awesome God desires to see you emerge victorious over Satan, exalted by the might of His divine providence (see James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11; 1 John 4:4). And it is only a matter of time before Satan is defeated once and for all.

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Romans 16:20)