I Chronicles 21
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And Satan stood up against Israel - See the notes on the parallel place, Sa2 24:1 (note), etc.
Open source ↗DAVID SINS IN NUMBERING THE PEOPLE. (Ch1 21:1-13) Satan stood up against Israel--God, by withdrawing His grace at this time from David (see on Sa2 24:1), permitted the tempter to prevail over him. As the result of this successful temptation was the entail of a heavy calamity as a punishment from God upon the people, it might be said that "Satan stood up against Israel." number Israel--In the act of taking the census of a people, there is not only no evil, but much utility. But numbering Israel--that people who were to become as the stars for multitude, implying a distrust of the divine promise, was a sin; and though it had been done with impunity in the time of Moses, at that enumeration each of the people had contributed "half a shekel towards the building of the tabernacle," that there might be no plague among them when he numbered them (Exo 30:12). Hence the numbering of that people was in itself regarded as an undertaking by which the anger of God could be easily aroused; but when the arrangements were made by Moses for the taking of the census, God was not angry because the people were numbered for the express purpose of the tax for the sanctuary, and the money which was thus collected ("the atonement money," Exo 30:16) appeased Him. Everything depended, therefore, upon the design of the census [BERTHEAU]. The sin of David numbering the people consisted in its being either to gratify his pride to ascertain the number of warriors he could muster for some meditated plan of conquest; or, perhaps, more likely still, to institute a regular and permanent system of taxation, which he deemed necessary to provide an adequate establishment for the monarchy, but which was regarded as a tyrannical and oppressive exaction--an innovation on the liberty of the people--a departure…
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction See Chapter Introduction 1 Chronicles 21:28 ch1 21:28 ch1 21:28 ch1 21:28At that time when David saw that the Lord had answered him in the threshing floor Of Ornan the Jebusite,.... The same with Araunah, Sa2 24:16, with some small variation of the letters, and are of the same signification; both signifying the "ornus", as Hillerus (m) observes, the pine tree or ash; see Isa 44:14, in whose threshingfloor David now was, and where he had been praying and sacrificing; and God had accepted his prayer, as the Targum, and had answered him, by causing fire to come down on the sacrifice and consume it, and by ordering the angel to put up his sword in its sheath: then he sacrificed there; again by the priests, and continued to do so, for he had sacrificed there before, Ch1 21:26 and finding his sacrifices in that place were acceptable, he repeated them, and did not go to Gibeon, as follows. (m) Onomastic. Sacr. p. 529, 530.
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction See Chapter Introduction 1 Chronicles 21:28 ch1 21:28 ch1 21:28 ch1 21:28At that time when David saw that the Lord had answered him in the threshing floor Of Ornan the Jebusite,.... The same with Araunah, Sa2 24:16, with some small variation of the letters, and are of the same signification; both signifying the "ornus", as Hillerus (m) observes, the pine tree or ash; see Isa 44:14, in whose threshingfloor David now was, and where he had been praying and sacrificing; and God had accepted his prayer, as the Targum, and had answered him, by causing fire to come down on the sacrifice and consume it, and by ordering the angel to put up his sword in its sheath: then he sacrificed there; again by the priests, and continued to do so, for he had sacrificed there before, Ch1 21:26 and finding his sacrifices in that place were acceptable, he repeated them, and did not go to Gibeon, as follows. (m) Onomastic. Sacr. p. 529, 530.
Open source ↗Numbering the people, one would think, was no bad thing. Why should not the shepherd know the number of his flock? But God sees not as man sees. It is plain it was wrong in David to do it, and a great provocation to God, because he did it in the pride of his heart; and there is no sin that has in it more of contradiction and therefore more of offence to God than pride. The sin was David's; he alone must bear the blame of it. But here we are told, I. How active the tempter was in it (Ch1 21:1): Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to do it. Is is said (Sa2 24:1) that the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David to do it. The righteous judgments of God are to be observed and acknowledged even in the sins and unrighteousness of men. We are sure that God is not the author of sin - he tempts no man; and therefore, when it is said that he moved David to do it, it must be explained by what is intimated here, that, for wise and holy ends, he permitted the devil to do it. Here we trace this foul stream to its foundation. That Satan, the enemy of God and all good, should stand up against Israel, is not strange; it is what he aims at, to weaken the strength, diminish the numbers, and eclipse the glory of God's Israel, to whom he is Satan, a sworn adversary. But that he should influence David, the man of God's own heart to do a wrong thing, may well be wondered at. One would think him one of those whom the wicked one touches not. No, even the best saints, till they come to heaven, must never think themselves out of the reach of Satan's temptations. Now, when Satan meant to do Israel a mischief, what course did he take? He did not move God against them to destroy them (as Job, Job 2:3), but he provoked David, the best friend they had, to number t…
Open source ↗21:1–22:1 This account of the census closely parallels 2 Sam 24:1-25 but has an entirely different focus. The Chronicler’s account provides the context for the dedication of the altar and the preparations for building the Temple (1 Chr 22). 21:1 Satan (or the adversary) motivated David to take a census of his military forces (cp. 2 Sam 24:1). The Chronicler seems to interpret the narrative of Samuel in light of his theology of Satan as the adversary of God and humanity. As God allows Satan to work in the world, Satan unwittingly fulfills God’s purposes (cp. 2 Chr 18:3-34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zech 3:1-2; Matt 4:1-11; John 13:27; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Tim 1:20; Rev 20:3, 7-9).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׂטָן (sâṭân, H7854) — an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) Satan, the arch-enemy of good עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity סוּת (çûwth, H5496) — properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מָנָה (mânâh, H4487) — properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine דָּן (Dân, H1835) — Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory;… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… מִפְקָד (miphqâd, H4662) — an appointment, i.e. mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁלַף (shâlaph, H8025) — to pull out, up or off חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four
Open source ↗לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause תַּעָב (taʻâb, H8581) — to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָרַע (yâraʻ, H3415) — properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant סָכַל (çâkal, H5528) — to be silly
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חֹזֶה (chôzeh, H2374) — a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first הֵנָּה (hênnâh, H2007) — themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָבַל (qâbal, H6901) — to admit, i.e. take (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month סָפָה (çâphâh, H5595) — properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e. to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) אִם (ʼim, H518) — used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God.
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
As Jesus went on from there, the scribes and Pharisees began to oppose Him bitterly and to ply Him with questions about many things,
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.