1 Chronicles 21:1

David’s Military Census · 1 Chronicles 21:1–6
Read 1 Chronicles 21

Translations

Modern
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
Traditional
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
Literal
And Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
Latin
Consurrexit autem Satan contra Israël, et concitavit David ut numeraret Israël.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Notes

Satan, (also called the adversary), encouraged David to count his military forces (see 2 Samuel 24:1). The Chronicler views the story in Samuel through his understanding of Satan as an opponent of God and humanity. God allows Satan to act in the world, and through this, Satan unknowingly serves God's purposes (see 2 Chronicles 18:3–34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zechariah 3:1–2; Matthew 4:1–11; John 13:27; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 1:20; Revelation 20:3, 7–9).

This account of the census is similar to 2 Samuel 24:1–25 but focuses on different aspects. The Chronicler’s version sets the stage for dedicating the altar and preparing to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22).

Theme notes and profiles

David Joab Satan God or Satan?

Parallels

Exodus 30:11–16 2 Samuel 24:1–9

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Satan: The adversary, the devil, the tempter of humanity

Glossary

Census Chronicles, Books of First and Second David Genealogy Moriah Satan

Topics

Census: The Numbering of Israel by David Conscience of Joab, for Numbering Israel David: King of Israel: Takes the Military Strength of Israel Without Divine Authority, and is Reproved Rulers: Wicked: David, Numbering Israel and Judah Satan: The Prince: Satan Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: The Devil is the Author of Temptation: Yielding to To Count the Nation of Israel The Devil: Saints: Tempted By Titles and Names of the Devil: Satan