2 Samuel 23-24: David's Legacy

I've reached the conclusion of 2 Samuel (or 2 Kings).  It ends on an interesting note.  All of 2 Samuel focuses on King David and these final chapters show once again how complicated a figure David is.  As a king he shows myriad positive and negative qualities.  In Chapter 24 we see his pride and vanity on display when he, out of curiosity, orders a census of his kingdom.  This displeases God and a plague is sent upon Israel.  We then see David's humility and repentance when he admits his transgression and accepts his punishment.  This is followed by the final event of 2 Samuel when David builds an altar to the Lord to show his gratitude to God for His ending of the punishing plague.  David is a figure worthy of emulation because he is so very human and yet he never despairs.  He falls, but he always gets back up, makes amends, does penance, and renews his efforts to do God's Will.  That is the key difference between David and Saul, his predecessor.  Saul succumbed to despair.  When he found himself at odds with God, instead of humbly asking forgiveness, he dug in his heels and allowed his pride to prevail.  David often lets his pride get the best of him as well, but he always acknowledges his sins and pleads for forgiveness.  In the final act of 2 Samuel, we see David building an altar, which represents his devotion to God, no matter what.  After all the ups and downs of his life, he does not abandon God, but without fail returns to Him, and acknowledges God's Universal Lordship.  

The site of this altar is said to be the site of the temple that David is inspired to build.  Of course we know David won't live to see this temple built, but it's interesting to see here its humble beginnings.  Solomon's glorious Temple is forthcoming, but it's important to note it began as a simple altar of thanksgiving by the great King David.