At the end of his life, David ordered a census of the fighting men of Israel. It was not necessary to count the fighting men. It was a concession to pride. David wanted to take a little glory for himself. Joab tried to talk David out of it, but David persisted. Afterward, he was conscience-stricken and repented, asking God's forgiveness.

Because of David's sin, God punished him. David chose to suffer at the hands of the Lord. A terrible plague came upon Israel. The Lord grieved, and David was a broken-hearted shepherd to see his sheep suffer because of his sin (17).

David built an altar according to the Lord's instructions. Araunah was so moved when the king wanted to buy his threshing floor that he offered to give it to David free of charge. But David insisted on paying. The plague was stopped. This altar became the temple site.
Application: Lord, teach me to repent and to take full responsibility whenever I sin.
One Word: A leader takes full responsibility