And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Ver. 10. And David's heart smote him.] His heart had prompted him to this sin. Incitavit cor Davidis Davidem; so David Kimchi, and R. Levi, Ben. Gerson read the first verse of this chapter. Nemo sibi de suo palpet; quisque sibi Satan est, saith an ancient. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn aside by his own concupiscence. Now the same heart smiteth him with sense of guilt, and fear of wrath. A stroke on the heart we know is deadly: so had this been to David, but that he confessed and forsook his sin, and so found mercy. All which fell out, some think, the night before the prophet Gad came to offer him that hard choice; he had communed with his own heart upon his bed, and made a pause, as Psalms 4:4, his reins also had instructed him in the night seasons, Psa 16:7 the Spirit of God had given him counsel; and hence he is so active in his humiliations. David's heart smote him; he stayed not till God smote him. The apostle biddeth, "Be afliicted" - or, Afflict yourselves - "and mourn and weep." Jam 4:9 That was much that we read of concerning Epaminondas, a heathen; that the day after the victory and triumph, he went drooping and hanging down his head: and being asked why he did so, he answered, Yesterday I felt myself too much tickled with vain glory: therefore I correct myself for it today. The same is the spirit of the true Israelite. His heart, when once awakened, is a Hadadrimmon, a Bochim; like the best hives, it maketh a great noise, and is restless, till it returneth to God, and maketh its peace.
After that he had numbered the people.] It had done so, likely, before this time; but not effectually. So after his sin with Bathsheba, he had many gripings, and grumblings of conscience, Psa 32:3-4 but they amounted not to the full height of godly sorrow for his sin, as afterwards. Psa 51:1-19
I have sinned greatly.] He confesseth not slightly, but with greatest aggravation; nor desperately, as Judas, but beggeth pardoning and purging grace.
Take away the iniquity of thy servant.] Take away the frogs, saith Pharaoh; the iniquity, saith David; that was his greatest trouble; for, as for the punishment, "Let thine hand," saith he, "be upon me and my father's house."
For I have done very foolishly.] He thought, at first, he had done very wisely; but now he seeth his error, and disclaimeth it. We had before, his contrition, confession, and supplication, all which make up his repentance for sin: here we have his conversion or reformation, which is his repentance from sin: his amendment of life.