1 Chronicles 21:2-4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:1-27

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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:2

And to the rulers of the people . So Numbers 1:4 , "And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers" (see also 1 Chronicles 27:22-24 ; 2 Samuel 24:4 , 2 Samuel 24:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:3

But my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? The place of this perfectly intelligible sentence, indicating that Joab discerned the object of David in desiring the numbering of the people, is occupied in the Book of Samuel by the words, "And that the eyes of my lord the king may see it;" which some for no very evident reason prefer. It was, no doubt, a very radical element of David's sin in this matter that he was thinking of the nation too much as his own servants, instead of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 21:4

Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem . This short verse stands in the place of all the five verses of 2 Samuel 24:4-8 , with their interesting contents, giving the route which Joab and his assistants took, and the time occupied (nine months and twenty days) to their return. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 21:3

1 Chronicles 21:3. Why will he be Or, why should this be; a cause of trespass Or, an occasion of punishment; (Hebrew words, which signify sin, being often used for the punishment of sin,) to, or against Israel? Why wilt thou provoke God by this sin to punish Israel? He speaks thus because God commonly punishes the people for the sins of their rulers, the people being for the most part guilty of their rulers’ sins, in one kind or other. read more

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 21:3

3. why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?—or bring an occasion of punishment on Israel. In Hebrew, the word "sin" is often used synonymously with the punishment of sin. In the course of Providence, the people frequently suffer for the misconduct of their rulers. 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

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