...he moved David...

2 Samuel 24:1 KJV
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
I selected this passage today just because I did not know how to reconcile it. I could not imagine that God would move David to number Israel and at the same time call David's numbering of them a sin.

The answer is found by simply comparing Scripture with Scripture. 2 Chronicles 21:1 is a parallel passage and says that Satan provoked David to do the numbering.

Yet God knew it and used it to bring judgment against Israel (not Judah; the pestilence stopped before if got to Jerusalem). When you read David's story you learn that there was always an undercurrent of rebellion with Israel against David. God used David's error in a similar way as God used Joseph's brothers, or Nebuchadnezzar, to bring about God's will.

Lessons:
First, Oh the sin of rebellion! Israel never did get over it and they suffered heavily because of it.

Second, even the best men can be provoked by Satan. Joab tried to warn David, but his eyes were blinded. We must be sober and vigilant. Satan is out to devour us.

Third, we can trust the Lord. While we might not always understand what He is doing, He will make things work out right.