JOAB’S WISDOM                    1 Chron. 21:1-4

1  DAVID’S PROPOSAL Purpose was to know the number of men David had at his disposal. He had never requested this before, so why now?

Satan came at David in a weak moment, and David’s faith was shaken. Satan wanted David to depend on self, not God.

 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Application: Have there been times when we have demanded we needed something when we also knew God didn’t lay it on our heart?

2  JOAB’S PROTEST While Joab had not always been the picture of virtue, he was wise enough to know that God had always provided for his people. Even when the odds were heavily against them, God always came through.

 21:3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?

Application: What are some ways in which God makes much out of little? Finances    Faith   Ability   Food    Congregations   

         Commitment   Career  

3  DAVID’S PERSISTENCE

 David’s word was the law in the land. Joab had no choice but to serve his king. In persisting in his demand, David was taking responsibility for the census which took almost ten months to complete. (2 Samuel 24:8)

Application: Has our persistence in having our way been a source of problems for others?