How do we know that God's punishment was justified in David's counting of the people?
Answered in 1 source
The anger of the Lord was against Israel for their sin, illustrating that God's punishment was warranted due to collective sin.
God's punishment of Israel for their collective sin serves as the backdrop for David's counting of the people. While the specific sins of the nation are not enumerated, the text suggests that God's anger was directed at Israel as a whole due to their ongoing rebellion and idolatry. Moreover, David's own sin illustrates the theme of pride, revealing that both the king and the nation were in need of repentance. This teaches us that divine judgment is often a response to the accumulated sins of a people, reminding us of the dire consequences of turning away from God.
Scripture References:
2 Samuel 24:1, 2 Samuel 24:10
Commentary