Intercourse with heathen peoples led to a desire to follow their national customs and kindled ambition for worldly greatness. As the people of Jehovah, Israel was to be honored; but as pride and self-confidence increased, the Israelites were not content 747 with this pre-eminence. They cared rather for their standing among other nations. This spirit could not fail to invite temptation. With a view to extending his conquests among foreign nations, David determined to increase his army by requiring military service from all who were of proper age. To effect this, it became necessary to take a census of the population. It was pride and ambition that prompted this action of the king. The numbering of the people would show the contrast between the weakness of the kingdom when David ascended the throne and its strength and prosperity under his rule. This would tend still further to foster the already too great self-confidence of both king and people. The Scripture says, "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." The prosperity of Israel under David had been due to the blessing of God rather than to the ability of her king or the strength of her armies. But the increasing of the military resources of the kingdom would give the impression to surrounding nations that Israel's trust was in her armies, and not in the power of Jehovah.

Hans forbindelse med hedenske folkeslag tilskyndende ham til at følge deres skikke og vakte hans ærgerrighed efter verdslig storhed. Det var Guds mening, at Israel skulle æres, fordi de var hans folk, men efterhånden som deres stolthed og selvtillid voksede, var de ikke tilfreds med denne forrang. De var mere optaget af, hvordan de tog sig ud i de andre nationers øjne. Med denne indstilling kunne de umuligt undgå at falde i fristelse. Med henblik på nye erobringskrige besluttede David at gøre sin hær endnu større og forlangte, at alle, som havde den rette alder, skulle gøre militærtjeneste. For at kunne gennemføre denne plan var han nødt til at holde mandtal. Hans motiv var stolthed og ærgerrighed. Folketællingen ville give et klart billede af rigets svaghed, da David kom på tronen, og den vækst og fremgang, som havde fundet sted under hans regering. Men herved ville kongens og folkets i forvejen alt for store selvtillid blot blive stimuleret endnu mere. Skriften siger: "Satan trådte op mod Israel og æggede David til at holde mandtal over Israel." Israels fremgang under David skyldtes ikke så meget kongens store evner og hærenes slagkraft som Guds velsignelse, men hvis landet styrkede sit militære beredskab, ville de omkringboende nationer få det indtryk, at Israel stolede mere på sine hære end på Herrens styrke.