David's final words are recorded. In them are powerful statements of God's provision and strength for all that David ever needed. Following the final words of this mighty king is a list of the men that contributed to David's might and rule. These mighty men are heroic, almost epic in their description, and yet there is enough given to allow us the realization that these were real people with real problems and struggles.
David takes a census of the people, perhaps to gauge the strength of his rule in its waning days. God is not pleased with David's actions and begins to take action against the nation. David is given a choice in his punishment: 3 years of famine; 3 months of battle or 3 days of pestilence. David chooses to allow God to choose the punishment - and 3 days of pestilence begin. 70,000 die in the 3 days that follow. God stays His hand; and David builds an altar to assuage God and bring the pestilence to an end. The ground that David buys on which he will place this altar will - history tells us - become the location of the temple that will be built by David's progeny.
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