Let's Make A Deal

2 Samuel 24:17 KJV (WS)

And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

Introduction: Game Show with three doors to chose from...

David’s Sin

He numbers Isreal.

2 Samuel 24:2–3 KJV (WS)

For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

2. Pride

A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired:

3. Warning

2 Samuel 24:4 KJV (WS)

Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

This shows that not only Joab, but all the captains of the host objected to the plan of numbering Israel.

They all obeyed, however, regardless of how much they opposed the idea.

4. Regret And Remorse

2 Samuel 24:10 KJV (WS)

And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity):

Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed:

2 Samuel 24:12 KJV (WS)

Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

Now David Wants To Make A Deal

God doesn't play games.

a. 7 years of famine

b. Fleeing three months before your enemies

c. Pestilence in the land for three days (a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague:)

[let us fall now into the hand of the LORD] David said what any sensible man would say who knew God and His dealings.

He chose three days of pestilence, preferring to fall into the hands of God whose mercies are great, not into the hands of men who show no mercy.

Though it was soon over, 70,000 men died in the plague.

One angel slew 185,000 men of war in one night

David Chose Wisely

2 Samuel 24:18 KJV (WS)

And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

David Went Without Delay

2 Samuel 24:19 KJV (WS)

And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded.

Games, he made business with God.

We should do likewise.

David Did Not Take The Easy Way Out

2 Samuel 24:23–24 KJV (WS)

All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.