David succumbed to the temptation of Satan to take a census. Was David feeling pride in his own strength? Pride…something Satan is very familiar with. And something that we should always be on our guard against!

Prov 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering. Joab knew it was wrong. Once David realized that God was going to punish Israel, he cried out to God. Instead of speaking to David directly, God spoke to him through David’s seer, Gad.

The angel of the Lord stood at the threshing floor with a drawn sword in his hand. David and the elders fell facedown. A similar thing happened with Joshua. When the four sons of Araunah saw the angel, they hid. Quite a commanding presence this angel of the Lord!

David redeemed himself when he bought the threshing site and built an altar there (very prophetic). This is the place where the temple will be built, but not by David. He shed too much blood. His son Solomon will have that honor.