1 Chronicles Chapter 21

2025 - There is a footnote in the MSB NASB95 that says 20 years passes between the last verse of Chapter 20 and the first of Chapter 21.  This gap is from 995-975 BC.  Absalom's revolt and a lot more occur in those years.  I expect that, since these followed David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, that they were all very dark years, as David prayed for reconciliation with God.  Though God forgave David, the consequences of David's sin went on in time and severity.

Parallels 2 Sam 24.

This chapter says that Satan stood against Israel, and it was he who incited David to number Israel.  MSB says God used Satan to bring about these events.  Satan tempted David using his pride, yet David is the one who chose to sin.  What makes better sense to me is that perhaps God did not hinder Satan, nor cause Satan to be hindered, in Satan's temptation of David to number the people, because the people were in rebellion against God, and chastisement/correction was needed.  So God withdrew and gave Satan room.  Satan must have known how it would end, and cared only about causing as much havoc as he possibly could.  Even knowing it was God's intention he was serving.

2026 - This verse:

1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. [1Ch 21:1 ESV]

If we take as nearly literally as possible what it says, as in LSB, that "Satan stood up against Israel and INCITED David to number the people", it is difficult to maintain the position that demons cannot put ideas in your head and make you think they are your own.  I have maintained of late that man has enough "bad ideas" on his own, and that while demonic activity might encourage one to run with the bad ideas in some way, they cannot just "insert" them into your mind.  Now if you insist on doing so, you could read this passage this way.  Provoked, moved to, caused, incited - these are the words in various translations.  I looked  up the word and the first place it appears is here: 6 "If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, 'Let us go and serve other gods,' which neither you nor your fathers have known, [Deu 13:6 ESV]

It would never occur to us to believe this isn't talking about a direct attempt - words, favors, gifts - a recognizable attempt - to make you commit a sin.

But we must still recognize that we choose, on our own, whether to go along with the enticement.  Our own corruption would tend to make us jump right on board with suggested sins.  This is a sea change in my thinking on this.  I will have to let Dwight know I changed my position...

vs. 6 says Joab didn't number Levi and Benjamin because he was against the numbering.  So here he leaves two tribes out, and the numbers are higher than in 2 Sam.  MSB, again, has some explanation.

[1Ch 21:16 ESV] 16 And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

So David sees the angel, with his sword still drawn, though God has ordered him to stop.

David prays this prayer, demonstrating the correct relationship between a nation's leader and the nation's people:

17 And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father's house. But do not let the plague be on your people." [1Ch 21:17 ESV]

A true leader wants the consequences to come on him and his house, not on those who had nothing to do with a bad decision he made.  Don't punish the country, punish me.

Possible FB post 2024.

[1Ch 21:18 ESV] 18 Now the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Here, it is the angel giving orders to the seer.  MSB makes no mention of this.

In 1 Chron, Ornan (Araunah) sees the angel, and his sons must see the angel also, because they all go hide. 

David pays Ornan 600 shekels of gold.  2 Sam said 50 silver.  MSB says in 1 Chron, the price includes what was paid for the land, not just for the oxen and material to burn. 

Further, the land purchased is believed to be Mt. Moriah, and the threshing floor itself is believed to be the flat stone under the Dome of the Rock on today's temple mount.

When David offers the sacrifices, God sends fire from heaven to consume the offering, and then commands the angel to put away his sword.

This verse:

29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the high place at Gibeon, [1Ch 21:29 ESV]

Would be interesting to go back and see when it was placed here.  Is Gibeon the same as Gibeah?  Has Saul brought it there?  The Ark is not mentioned, and I think it is in Jerusalem at this time, but the original tabernacle is at Gibeon.