Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 21

Introduction

Overview

1 Chronicles 21:1, David, tempted by Satan, forces Joab to number the people; 1 Chronicles 21:5, The number of the people being brought, David repents of it; 1 Chronicles 21:9, David having three plagues propounded by God, chooses the pestilence; 1 Chronicles 21:14, After the death of seventy thousand, David by repentance prevents the destruction of Jerusalem; 1 Chronicles 21:18, David, by Gad’s direction, purchases Ornan’s threshing- floor; where having built an altar, God gives a sign of his favour by fire, and stays the plague; 1 Chronicles 21:28, David sacrifices there, being restrained from Gibeon by fear of the angel.

Verse 1

am 2987, bc 1017, An, Ex, Is, 474

Satan: 2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 22:20-22, Job 1:6-12, Job 2:1, Job 2:4-6, Zechariah 3:1, Matthew 4:3, Luke 22:31, John 13:2, Acts 5:3, James 1:13, Revelation 12:10

provoked David: Luke 11:53, Hebrews 10:24

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:2 - Take ye the sum Numbers 26:4 - General Joshua 22:18 - he will be 1 Samuel 26:19 - stirred 1 Chronicles 7:2 - whose number 1 Chronicles 7:7 - were reckoned 1 Chronicles 7:40 - the number 1 Chronicles 27:24 - began to number 2 Chronicles 32:25 - General Matthew 4:10 - Satan Matthew 16:23 - Satan John 8:44 - He was 2 Corinthians 2:11 - General Revelation 12:9 - and Satan

Verse 2

Joab: 2 Samuel 24:2-4

Beersheba: Judges 20:1, 1 Samuel 3:20, 2 Samuel 3:10, 2 Samuel 17:11, 2 Samuel 24:15, 1 Kings 4:25, 2 Chronicles 30:5

bring: 1 Chronicles 27:23, 1 Chronicles 27:24

that I may: Deuteronomy 8:13-17, 2 Chronicles 32:25, 2 Chronicles 32:26, Proverbs 29:23, 2 Corinthians 12:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:2 - Take ye the sum 1 Kings 3:8 - cannot 2 Corinthians 2:11 - General

Verse 3

The Lord: 1 Chronicles 19:13, Psalms 115:14, Proverbs 14:28, Isaiah 26:15, Isaiah 48:19

why will: Genesis 20:9, Exodus 32:21, Numbers 32:9, Numbers 32:10, 1 Samuel 2:24, 1 Kings 14:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:16 - thus Deuteronomy 1:11 - make you Joshua 22:15 - General 1 Samuel 17:8 - servants to Saul 2 Samuel 24:3 - General 2 Kings 12:7 - Why repair ye

Verse 4

the king's: Ecclesiastes 8:4

Wherefore: Exodus 1:17, Daniel 3:18, Acts 5:29

and went: 2 Samuel 24:3-8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:4 - the king's

Verse 5

a thousand: The Syriac has 800,000 as in the parallel passage of Samuel. 1 Chronicles 27:23, 2 Samuel 24:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Numbers 1:46 - General Judges 20:17 - four hundred 1 Kings 3:8 - cannot 1 Kings 12:21 - an hundred 2 Chronicles 13:3 - four hundred Psalms 80:9 - and it

Verse 6

Levi: Numbers 1:47-49

Joab: 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 11:15-21, 2 Samuel 20:9, 2 Samuel 20:10

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:9 - eight hundred thousand 1 Kings 3:8 - cannot Luke 6:41 - but

Verse 7

And God was displeased with this thing: Heb. And it was evil in the eyes of God concerning this thing, 2 Samuel 11:27, 1 Kings 15:5

he smote: 1 Chronicles 21:14, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:5, Joshua 7:13, Joshua 22:16-26, 2 Samuel 21:1, 2 Samuel 21:14, 2 Samuel 24:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:10 - displeased Genesis 48:17 - displeased him Exodus 4:14 - anger Numbers 22:34 - if it displease thee 1 Kings 11:9 - angry

Verse 8

I have sinned: 2 Samuel 12:13, 2 Samuel 24:10, Psalms 25:11, Psalms 32:5, Jeremiah 3:13, Luke 15:18, Luke 15:19, 1 John 1:9

do away: Psalms 51:1-3, Hosea 14:2, John 1:29

I have done: Genesis 34:7, 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 26:21, 2 Samuel 13:13, 2 Chronicles 10:9

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 21:17 - Is it not I 2 Chronicles 16:9 - Herein

Verse 9

Gad: 1 Chronicles 29:29, 1 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 24:11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 1 Chronicles 25:5 - the king's seer 2 Chronicles 29:25 - Gad

Verse 10

offer thee: Heb. stretch out

choose: Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 1:29-31

that I may: Numbers 20:12, 2 Samuel 12:10-12, 1 Kings 13:21, 1 Kings 13:22, Proverbs 3:12, Revelation 3:19

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:12 - I offer

Verse 11

Choose thee: Heb. Take to thee, Proverbs 19:20

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:12 - I offer 1 Chronicles 21:18 - the angel

Verse 12

three years' famine: In 2 Samuel 24:13, it is seven years; but the Septuagint has there פסיב ופח [Strong's G5140], three years, as here; which is, no doubt, the true reading; the letter ז, zayin, seven, being mistaken for ג, gimmel, three. Leviticus 26:26-29, 2 Samuel 21:1, 2 Samuel 24:13, 1 Kings 17:1, 2 Kings 8:1, Lamentations 4:9, Luke 4:25

to be destroyed: Leviticus 26:17, Leviticus 26:36-37, Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 28:51-52, Jeremiah 42:16

the sword: 1 Chronicles 21:16, Isaiah 66:16, Jeremiah 12:12, Jeremiah 47:6

even the pestilence: Leviticus 26:10, Leviticus 26:25, Deuteronomy 28:22, Deuteronomy 28:27, Deuteronomy 28:35, Psalms 91:6, Ezekiel 14:19-21

the angel: 1 Chronicles 21:15-16, Exodus 12:23, 2 Kings 19:35, Matthew 13:49-50, Acts 12:23, Revelation 7:1-3

Now therefore: 2 Samuel 24:13-14

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:12 - no plague 1 Kings 8:37 - in the land famine 1 Chronicles 21:27 - he put 2 Chronicles 32:25 - General Isaiah 37:36 - the angel

Verse 13

I am in: 2 Kings 6:15, 2 Kings 7:4, Esther 4:11, Esther 4:16, John 12:27, Philippians 1:23

let me fall: David here acted nobly: had he chosen war, his personal safety was in no danger, as there was an ordinance preventing him from going to battle; and in famine, his wealth would have secured his and his family's support; but all were equally exposed to the pestilence. Hebrews 10:31

great: or, many, Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 51:2, Psalms 69:13, Psalms 69:16, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 103:8, Psalms 106:7, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 55:7, Isaiah 63:7, Isaiah 63:15, Lamentations 3:32, Jonah 3:9, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Habakkuk 3:2

but let me: 2 Chronicles 28:9, Proverbs 12:10, Isaiah 46:7, Isaiah 47:6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:14 - for his Psalms 119:156 - are thy James 5:11 - the Lord is

Verse 14

the Lord: Numbers 16:46-49, 2 Samuel 24:15

seventy: Exodus 12:30, Numbers 25:9, 1 Samuel 6:19, 2 Kings 19:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:12 - no plague Numbers 16:49 - fourteen thousand Joshua 22:18 - he will be 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote Acts 12:23 - the angel

Verse 15

unto Jerusalem: 2 Samuel 24:16, Jeremiah 7:12, Jeremiah 26:9, Jeremiah 26:18, Matthew 23:37, Matthew 23:38

repented him: Genesis 6:6, Exodus 32:14, Judges 2:18, Judges 10:16, Psalms 78:38, Jeremiah 18:7-10, Jonah 4:2

It is enough: Exodus 9:28, 1 Kings 19:4, Psalms 90:13, Mark 14:41

Ornan: 2 Samuel 24:18, Araunah, 2 Chronicles 3:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:13 - Lord hath 1 Chronicles 21:12 - the angel 1 Chronicles 21:18 - that David 1 Chronicles 21:27 - the Lord Psalms 135:14 - he will repent Ecclesiastes 5:8 - higher than they Ezekiel 9:1 - Cause Amos 7:3 - General Zechariah 9:7 - a Jebusite Mark 14:35 - and fell 1 Corinthians 10:10 - destroyer

Verse 16

saw the angel: Genesis 3:24, Exodus 14:19, Exodus 14:20, Numbers 22:31, Joshua 5:13, Joshua 5:14, 2 Kings 6:17

clothed: 1 Kings 21:27, 2 Kings 19:1, Psalms 35:13, Psalms 35:14, Jonah 3:6-8

fell upon: Numbers 14:5, Numbers 16:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:17 - fell Genesis 19:13 - Lord hath Genesis 37:34 - General Exodus 4:24 - the Lord Numbers 16:45 - And they Numbers 20:6 - they fell Numbers 22:23 - the ass saw Judges 13:20 - fell on 2 Samuel 24:16 - the angel 2 Samuel 24:17 - spake 1 Kings 18:39 - they fell 2 Kings 19:35 - the angel 1 Chronicles 21:12 - the sword 1 Chronicles 21:27 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 21:30 - he was afraid Ecclesiastes 5:8 - higher than they Isaiah 37:36 - the angel Jeremiah 6:12 - I will Ezekiel 9:8 - that I Ezekiel 11:13 - Then Daniel 8:3 - I lifted Matthew 17:6 - General Matthew 26:39 - and fell Mark 14:35 - and fell Luke 5:12 - fell Revelation 11:3 - clothed

Verse 17

Is it not I: 1 Chronicles 21:8, 2 Samuel 24:17, Psalms 51:4, Ezekiel 16:63

these sheep: 1 Kings 22:17, Psalms 44:11

what have: 2 Samuel 24:1

let thine: Genesis 44:33, Exodus 32:32, Exodus 32:33, John 10:11, John 10:12, Romans 9:3, 1 John 3:16

on my father's: Exodus 20:5, 2 Samuel 12:10, Psalms 51:14, Isaiah 39:7, Isaiah 39:8

that they should: Joshua 22:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:24 - a flaming Genesis 20:4 - wilt Joshua 5:13 - his sword Job 2:5 - put forth Ezekiel 11:13 - Then Jonah 1:12 - for

Verse 18

the angel: 1 Chronicles 21:11, Acts 8:26-40

that David: 1 Chronicles 21:15, 2 Samuel 24:18, 2 Chronicles 3:1

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 22:1 - This is the house Ezra 2:68 - in his place

Verse 19

went up: 2 Kings 5:10-14, John 2:5, Acts 9:6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:19 - as the Lord

Verse 20

And Ornan: etc. or, When Ornan turned back and saw the angel, then he, and his four sons with him, hid themselves. Judges 6:11

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:20 - bowed 1 Chronicles 21:27 - he put

Verse 21

bowed himself: 1 Samuel 25:23, 2 Samuel 24:18-20

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:20 - bowed

Verse 22

Grant: Heb. Give, 1 Kings 21:2

thou shalt grant: 2 Samuel 24:21

that the plague: Numbers 16:48, Numbers 25:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:17 - General Genesis 23:11 - my lord 2 Samuel 24:22 - Let my lord

Verse 23

Take it: Genesis 23:4-6, 2 Samuel 24:22, 2 Samuel 24:23, Jeremiah 32:8

the oxen: 1 Samuel 6:14, 1 Kings 19:21, Isaiah 28:27, Isaiah 28:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 15:9 - a meat

Verse 24

Nay: Genesis 14:23, Genesis 23:13, Deuteronomy 16:16, Deuteronomy 16:17, Malachi 1:12-14, Romans 12:17

for I will not: It is a maxim from heaven, "Honour the Lord with thy substance." He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing; nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing. Had Araunah's noble offer been accepted, it would have been Araunah's sacrifice, not David's; nor would it have answered the end of turning away the displeasure of the Most High. It was David that sinned, not Araunah; therefore David must offer sacrifice.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:24 - Nay 1 Chronicles 4:17 - Eshtemoa 1 Chronicles 29:3 - I have Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but

Verse 25

2 Samuel 24:24, 2 Samuel 24:25

Verse 26

built there: Exodus 20:24, Exodus 20:25, Exodus 24:4, Exodus 24:5

and called: 1 Samuel 7:8, 1 Samuel 7:9, Psalms 51:15, Psalms 91:15, Psalms 99:9, Proverbs 15:8, Isaiah 65:24, Jeremiah 33:3

by fire: Leviticus 9:24, Judges 6:21, Judges 13:20, 1 Kings 18:24, 1 Kings 18:38, 2 Chronicles 3:1, 2 Chronicles 7:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:4 - had Genesis 15:17 - smoking Leviticus 1:7 - fire Leviticus 3:1 - a sacrifice Numbers 16:48 - General Numbers 16:50 - General 2 Samuel 24:25 - So the Lord Psalms 20:3 - accept Malachi 3:4 - as John 4:20 - and ye

Verse 27

the Lord: 1 Chronicles 21:15, 1 Chronicles 21:16, 2 Samuel 24:16, Psalms 103:20, Hebrews 1:14

he put: 1 Chronicles 21:12, 1 Chronicles 21:20, Jeremiah 47:6, Ezekiel 21:30, Matthew 26:52, John 18:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:48 - General Joshua 5:13 - his sword 2 Samuel 24:25 - So the Lord

Verse 29

the tabernacle: Exodus 40:1-38

Gibeon: 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Kings 3:4-15, 2 Chronicles 1:3, 2 Chronicles 1:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 26:1 - the tabernacle with ten curtains Joshua 9:17 - Gibeon Psalms 43:3 - tabernacles Acts 7:45 - Which

Verse 30

he was afraid: 1 Chronicles 21:16, 1 Chronicles 13:12, Deuteronomy 10:12, 2 Samuel 6:9, Job 13:21, Job 21:6, Job 23:15, Psalms 90:11, Psalms 119:120, Jeremiah 5:22, Jeremiah 10:7, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 12:29, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 15:4

Reciprocal: Joshua 5:13 - his sword