1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know [it].
3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they [be]: but, my lord the king, [are] they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all [they of] Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9 And the LORD spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three [things]: choose thee one of them, that I may do [it] unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12 Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh [thee]; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great [are] his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
14 So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders [of Israel, who were] clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
18 Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD.
20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with [his] face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of [this] threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23 And Ornan said unto David, Take [it] to thee, and let my lord the king do [that which is] good in his eyes: lo, I give [thee] the oxen [also] for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.
28 At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, [were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
Overview of 1 Chronicles 21
1 Chronicles 21 presents a significant narrative in the history of Israel, focusing on King David’s decision to conduct a census of Israel and the subsequent consequences of that action. The chapter delves into themes of sin, divine judgment, repentance, and atonement, showcasing the relationship between God and His people.
Key Characters
- David: The King of Israel who orders the census.
- Satan: The adversary who incites David to take the census.
- Joab: David’s military commander who expresses disapproval of the census.
- God: The divine figure who responds to David’s actions with judgment.
- Gad: The prophet who delivers God’s message to David.
Summary of Events
- Incitement to Sin: The chapter begins with Satan standing against Israel and provoking David to number the people (1 Chronicles 21:1). This act is seen as a challenge to God’s sovereignty and a demonstration of David’s pride.
- The Census Command: David commands Joab to take a census of Israel, despite Joab’s objections regarding the potential consequences (1 Chronicles 21:2-3). Joab recognizes the moral implications and the potential for divine wrath.
- Completion of the Census: Joab carries out the census and reports back to David, revealing the total number of warriors in Israel and Judah (1 Chronicles 21:4-6). The census counts 1.1 million men in Israel and 470,000 in Judah.
- Divine Displeasure: After the census, David’s heart is troubled, and he confesses his sin to God (1 Chronicles 21:7-8). God’s displeasure is evident, and David recognizes the gravity of his actions.
- God’s Judgment: God sends a message through the prophet Gad, offering David a choice of three punishments: three years of famine, three months of defeat by enemies, or three days of plague (1 Chronicles 21:9-12). David chooses the plague, demonstrating his trust in God’s mercy.
- Plague and Repentance: The plague strikes Israel, resulting in the death of 70,000 men (1 Chronicles 21:14-16). David sees the angel of destruction and pleads with God on behalf of the people, acknowledging his role in the sin.
- Atonement and Sacrifice: God commands David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (1 Chronicles 21:18). David purchases the site and offers sacrifices, leading to God’s mercy and the cessation of the plague (1 Chronicles 21:26-27).
Theological Themes
- Sin and Responsibility: The chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing sin and taking responsibility for one’s actions. David’s decision to conduct a census reflects a lack of trust in God.
- Divine Judgment and Mercy: The narrative illustrates the balance between God’s judgment and His mercy. Although David’s sin leads to severe consequences, God’s willingness to relent highlights His compassionate nature.
- Repentance and Atonement: David’s sincere repentance and the act of sacrifice underscore the necessity of atonement in restoring the relationship between God and His people.
- Leadership and Accountability: The chapter serves as a reminder that leaders are accountable for their actions and decisions, which can have far-reaching effects on the community.
Conclusion
1 Chronicles 21 serves as a profound lesson on the consequences of pride and disobedience, the importance of repentance, and the mercy of God. The chapter not only recounts a pivotal moment in Israel’s history but also provides timeless insights into the nature of sin and the path to reconciliation with God.
