Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:7-17
David is here under the rod for numbering the people, that rod of correction which drives out the foolishness that is bound up in the heart, the foolishness of pride. Let us briefly observe, I. How he was corrected. If God's dearest children do amiss, they must expect to smart for it. 1. He is given to understand that God is displeased; and that it is no small uneasiness to so good a man as David, 1 Chron. 21:7. God takes notice of, and is displeased with, the sins of his people; and no sin is... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:1-6
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 (1 Chron.... read more