May 2: 2 Samuel 24:1–9; 1 Chronicles 21:1–6; 2 Samuel 24:10–17; 1 Chronicles 21:7–17; 2 Samuel 24:18–25; 1 Chronicles 21:18 – 1 Chronicles 22:19

David's Census – 2 Samuel 24:1–9 & 1 Chronicles 21:1–6

• The anger of the Lord is again kindled against Israel, and God allows Satan to tell David to go and number Judah and Israel. David instructs Joab to do this, and while Joab questions this (he knows David is not trusting God, instead wanting to know the strength of his armies), he does as he is told. After nine months and twenty days, they return to Jerusalem with word that there are 800,000 men of Israel and 500,000 men of Judah.

The Lord's Judgment of David – 2 Samuel 24:10–17 & 1 Chronicles 21:7–17

• David realizes his wrongdoing and admits his sin to God.
• The word of the Lord comes to the prophet Gad, and he goes to David with three things that God is offering David–three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his foes, or three days pestilence on the land. David responds that he is in great distress and asks that they fall into the hands of God, who is merciful, but let them not fall into the hand of man.
• God sends a pestilence on the land, with an angel of the Lord taking the lives of 70,000 men. God stops the angel from destroying Jerusalem, and David admits his wickedness to God and asks that God's hand be against him and not the "sheep" following him.

David Builds an Altar – 2 Samuel 24:18–25 & 1 Chronicles 21:18–30

• Gad returns to David and tells him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (where the angel of the Lord last was). David goes there, and Araunah meets him and asks why he has come. David tells him he wants to buy the threshing floor from him so he can build an altar, and Araunah tries to give it to him, but David insists on paying for it.
• David buys the threshing floor and builds an altar, and the plague is averted from Israel.

David Prepares for Temple Building – 1 Chronicles 22

• David commands that resident aliens be gathered, and he has stonecutters prepare stones for building the house of God. David provides all the necessary materials.

Solomon Charged to Build the Temple

• David calls his son Solomon and charges him to build a house for the Lord. He tells Solomon that because he (David) has shed much blood, Solomon is to build the temple and God will establish his royal throne in Israel forever. He asks that God grant Solomon direction and understanding.
• David commands the leaders of Israel to help Solomon, since God has delivered them, He tells them to set their hearts and minds to seek the Lord, and build a sanctuary for the ark of the covenant.