Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 21:7
1 Chronicles 21:7. God was displeased with this thing Because it was done without any colour of necessity, and out of mere curiosity and ostentation, as David’s own conscience afterward told him, which therefore smote him, as is related 2 Samuel 24:10. Therefore he smote Israel As is particularly related in the following verses. Undoubtedly God did this because Israel concurred with David in the act of numbering the people, and approved of it, as well as because of all their other sins. read more
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 21:6
1 Chronicles 21:6. Levi and Benjamin counted he not Partly for the following reason, and principally by God’s gracious providence to Levi, because they were devoted to his service; and to Benjamin, because they were the least of all the tribes, having been almost extinct, (Judges 21:0.,) and because God foresaw that they would be faithful to the house of David in the division of the tribes, and therefore he would not have them diminished. And Joab also presumed to leave these two tribes... read more