capable of beating arms, was due to carnal elation and pride, and that the measure was somehow connected

with military ambition on his part, that both in 2 Samuel and in 1 Chronicles. This story follows an

enumeration of the three classes of David's heroes, and of some of their most notable feats of arms.44

The unwillingness of Joab and of the other captains, to whom the king entrusted the census, arose partly

from the knowledge that such an attempt at converting all Israel into a large camp would be generally

disliked and disapproved - a feeling with which he and his fellow-captains would, as Israelitish patriots, fully

sympathize. But religious considerations also came in, sin ce all would feel that a measure prompted by pride

and ambition would certainly bring judgment upon the people (1 Chronicles 21:3). Remonstrance having

been vain, the military census was slowly and reluctantly taken, the Levites being, however, excluded from it

(Numbers 1:47-54), and the royal order itself recalled before the territory of Benjamin was reached.45 For

already David's conscience was alive to the guilt which he had incurred. It was after a night of confession

and prayer on the part of David, that Gad was sent to announce to him the punishment of his sin. For, the

temporal punishment appropriately followed - not preceded - the confession of public sin. Left to choose

between famine,46 defeat, and pestilence, David wisely and well cast himself upon the Lord, finding comfort

only in the thought, which has so often brought relief to those who realize it, that, even when suffering for

sin, it is well to fall into the hands of Jehovah. Nor was his unuttered hope disappointed.

The pestilence, terrible as it was in its desolations, was shortened from three days to less than one day,

"from the morning to the time of the assembly," viz. for the evening sacrifice.47

Meanwhile "David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth" (1 Chronicles 21:16), were lying on their faces in

humiliation before the Lord. Significantly, it was as the Divine command of mercy sped to arrest the arm of

the Angel messenger of the judgment, that he became visible to David and his companions in prayer.

Already he had neared Jerusalem, and his sword was stretched towards it - just above Mount Moriah, at

that time still outside the city, where Aravnah48 the Jebusite had his threshing-floor.

It was a fitting spot for mercy upon Israel, this place where of old faithful Abraham had been ready to offer

his only son unto God; fitting also as still outside the city; but chiefly in order that the pardoning and

sparing mercy now shown might indicate the site where, on the great altar of burnt-offering, abundant mercy

in pardon and acceptance would in the future be dispensed to Israel. At sight of the Angel with his sword

pointed towards Jerusalem, David lifted his voice in humblest confession,49 entreating that, as the sin had

been his, so the punishment might descend on him and his household, rather than on his people. This

prayer marked the beginning of mercy. By Divine direction, through Gad, David and they who were with him,

went to Araunah to purchase the place thus rendered for ever memorable, in order to consecrate it to the

Lord by an altar, on which burnt and peace-offerings were brought. And this was to be the site for the future

"house of Jehovah God," and for "the altar of the burnt-offering for Israel" (1 Chronicles 22:1).

And God had both prepared and inclined the heart of the Jebusite for the willing surrender of the site for its

sacred purposes. No doubt he was a proselyte, and probably (analogously to Rahab) had been an ally in the

taking of Jerusalem under Joab. It seems that Araunah and his four sons, while busy in that threshing-floor,

had also seen the figure of the Angel high above them, and that it had struck terror into their hearts (1

Chronicles 21:20). When, therefore, David and his followers came, they were prepared freely to give. not

only the threshing-floor, but also all within it,11 if only Jehovah were pleased to accept the prayer of the

king (2 Samuel 24:23). Thus most significantly, in its typical aspect, were Jew and Gentile here brought

together to co-operate in the dedication of the Temple -site. It, no doubt, showed insight into Oriental

character, though we feel sure it was neither from pride nor narrow national prejudice, that David refused to

accept as a gift what had been humbly and, as we believe, heartily offered. But there was evident fitness in

the acquisition of the place by money  50 on the part of David, as the representative of all Israel. And as if

publicly and from heaven to ratify what had been done, fire, unkindled by man, fell upon the altar and

consumed the sacrifices (1 Chronicles 21:26). But from that moment the destroying sword of the Angel was

sheathed at the command of God.