1 Chronicles 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 29

1 And Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.

2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring to me, and I will know their number.

3 And Joab said, May Jehovah add to His people as if they were a hundred times; my lord, O king, are they not all of them servants to my lord? Why does my lord desire this? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?

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Chapter Summary

David forces Joab to number the people. Gad gives David three plagues from which he is to choose; he leaves it to God; plague follows. After seventy thousand die, David's repentance prevents the destruction of Jerusalem. David is told to purchase Ornan's threshing-floor: he builds an altar, Jehovah approves it by fire.

Key Hebrew Words

שָׂטָן adversary, Satan H7854 · TWOT 2252a
מָנָה to number H4487 · TWOT 1213
דֶּ֫בֶר plague, pestilence H1698 · TWOT 399b
מַלְאָךְ angel H4397 · TWOT 1068a
גֹּ֫רֶן threshing-floor H1637 · TWOT 383a
מִזְבֵּחַ altar H4196 · TWOT 525b

People & Context

David

King who orders the census, confesses his sin, and buys Ornan's threshing-floor to build an altar

Joab

Army commander who reluctantly numbers Israel, protesting the king's command as guilt for Israel

Gad

David's seer who brings Jehovah's offer of three judgments and directs David to raise the altar

Ornan

The Jebusite whose threshing-floor David purchases; he offers his oxen and wheat for the sacrifice

Satan

The adversary who stands up against Israel and moves David to number the people

Moses

Maker of the tabernacle in the wilderness, then standing at the high place in Gibeon

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