“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.” -2 Samuel 24:10

There are four words in the verse above that stick out and speak volumes of David’s character: David’s heart smote him. That is to say, his heart struck him—presumably with guilt—at what he had done. David was by no means perfect, but what he did after his mistakes was crucial: he admitted that he was wrong.

The verse above came after David had sought to number all the population of Israel: a thing that the Lord detested, as He had promised to David that He would make Israel abundant and increase them beyond numbering. But this wasn’t the first time we see an instance of David’s admittance of guilt. Much earlier in his life, before he was officially made king, we see the very same reaction from him:

“And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.” -1 Samuel 24:5

Again, there was the phrase, “David’s heart smote him.” And this phrase illustrates well what our own attitude toward sin ought to be. As David was, so too ought we to be struck with guilt. Our hearts ought to be so sensitive to offending God, that we react with much disgust and guilt at our own wickedness. We ought not to harden our hearts, nor seek to hide our sins: as if God cannot see what we’ve done. As the apostle Paul succinctly puts it: “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” -Proverbs 28:13

• The Hard-Hearted Man
• Caught in His Own Net
• “I’ve Made a Terrible Mistake”
• The Danger of Straying from God’s Will
• Does God Like You?

Filed under:
Christian Devotions/Bible Study by Dean