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Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:1-30

David’s fame (18:1-22:1)Before speaking further of the temple, the writer lists a number of David’s victories in war. These records show how God was strengthening David’s kingdom according to his promise, but they show also why God would not allow David to build the temple. One who had caused so much bloodshed was not a suitable person to build the nation’s sacred place of worship (see 22:7-10).The writer records victories over miscellaneous enemies (18:1-17; see notes on 2 Samuel 8:1-18);... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 21:5

1 Chronicles 21:5. All—Israel were a thousand thousand— See on 2 Samuel 24:9. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 21:5

5. Joab gave the sum of the number of the children of Israel—It amounted to one million one hundred thousand men in Israel, capable of bearing arms, inclusive of the three hundred thousand military ( :-), which, being already enlisted in the royal service, were not reckoned (2 Samuel 24:9), and to four hundred seventy thousand men in Judah, omitting thirty thousand which formed an army of observation stationed on the Philistine frontier (2 Samuel 6:1). So large a population at this early... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 21:6

6. Levi and Benjamin counted he not—If this census was ordered with a view to the imposition of taxes, this alone would account for Levi, who were not warriors ( :-), not being numbered (see on :-). The population of Benjamin had been taken (see on :-), and the register preserved in the archives of that tribe. This, however, was taken on another occasion, and by other agency than that of Joab. The non-numbering of these two tribes might have originated in the special and gracious providence... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Chronicles 21:1-30

God’s provision of a place for Israel ch. 21Chapter 21 records the fulfillment of God’s second personal promise to David, namely, that He would appoint a place where Israel could dwell securely (in rest, 1 Chronicles 17:9). This was a promise of peace for Israel, but as the verses following 1 Chronicles 17:9 make clear, God had more than this in mind. He intended to dwell among His people in the house Solomon would build (1 Chronicles 17:11-12). God’s presence was the real source of Israel’s... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 21:1-30

David’s numbering of the People and his PunishmentThis chapter is parallel to 2 Samuel 24, but includes a few additions: see 1 Chronicles 21:6, 1 Chronicles 21:26.1. Satan] In 2 Samuel 24:1 the Lord is said to have been angry with Israel, and to have moved David to number the people; for the Hebrews in early times did not hesitate to describe God as prompting to evil as well as to good, men being punished for one sin by being led to commit another. But in later ages the idea that God tempted... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 21:4

(4) Wherefore Joab departed.—“Went out” scil, from the king’s presence (Samuel). The chronicler omits the account of the route of Joab and his party, as described in 2 Samuel 24:4-8. They crossed Jordan, and went to Aroer, Jazer, Gilead, and Dan; then round to Zidon, “the fortress of Tyre, and all the cities of the Hivite and Canaanite, and came out at the nageb of Judah, to Beersheba.” The business occupied nine months and twenty days; and the fact that the generalissimo of David’s forces and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 21:5

(5) The number.—Muster, or census (miphqăd). The first clause is identical with Samuel, but has “David” for “the king,” as elsewhere.And all they of Israel.—And all Israel became (came to). The numbers are different in Samuel, which states them as 800,000 for Israel and 500,000 for Judah. The latter may fairly be regarded as a round number (500,000), our text giving the more exact total (470,000). As to the former, we may assume that the 1,100,000 of our text is an error of transcription, or,... read more

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