Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 21:13

I. The sin of David in numbering the people was self-confidence; pride in his own strength, and forgetfulness of the source of all his strength, even of God. It was the greater sin in him because he had had such marvellous, such visible, witnesses of God's love, and care, and guidance. Past experience might and should have taught him that his strength was not in himself, but in his God.

II. The sins of pride, and self-confidence, and forgetfulness of God are only too common amongst ourselves. When men dwell securely, in full peace and health, they grow careless in religion. God is not much present with them; they seem sufficient of themselves to keep themselves and to make themselves happy. Let us judge ourselves, that we be not judged by the Lord. Let us fear more the Lord our God, and serve Him in truth with all our heart, for consider how great things He hath done for us.

R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons, 3rd series, p. 150.

It is better to fall into the hand of God than into the hands of men, because in His whole treatment of human sin God is constantly seeking, not the destruction, but the salvation, of the sinner. God has never answered our sin merely by punishment. Instead of confining Himself to penalty, He sets up the Cross and shows men the sinfulness of sin through the depth and tenderness of His own mercy.

God's government is not a mere magistracy. It is a moral dominion—a government of the heart.

What is wanted for a full acceptation of the principle of this text? (1) A deep sense of sin. David had it: "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." (2) An unreserved committal of our case to God. David gave himself up entirely to God's will. We must fall into the hand of God, an expression which signifies resignation, perfect trust in the Divine righteousness and benevolence, and an entire committal of our whole case to the disposal of God.

Parker, City Temple, 1870, p. 325.

References: 1 Chronicles 21:13.—Preacher's Monthly, vol. iv., p. 47. 1 Chronicles 21:28.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxx., No. 1808. 1 Chronicles 22:1.—Ibid.