1 Chronicles 21:1

KJV

¶ And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Satan {H7854} stood up {H5975} against Israel {H3478}, and provoked {H5496} David {H1732} to number {H4487} Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Adversary [Hebrew: Satan] now rose up against Isra'el and incited David to take a census of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Chronicles 21:1 introduces a pivotal and troubling moment in King David's reign, explicitly stating that "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." This act, seemingly a census, was a profound sin rooted in pride and a lack of trust in God's provision, leading to severe divine judgment upon the nation. The Chronicler's unique attribution of this instigation to Satan provides a crucial theological perspective on the reality of spiritual warfare and the direct, malevolent influence of the adversary in human affairs, ultimately setting the stage for the future Temple site.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a crucial narrative sequence within the Chronicler's account, immediately following David's military successes and his extensive preparations for the Temple (as detailed in [1 Chronicles 18-20](/1-chronicles/18 "1 Chronicles 18-20 - David's Victories and Preparations for the Temple")). The preceding chapters highlight David's power and God's blessing upon his reign, making the census account in [1 Chronicles 21](/1-chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census, Plague, and Temple Site") a stark and surprising contrast. This narrative demonstrates that even a divinely favored king is susceptible to sin, leading to national calamity. Crucially, the events of this chapter, particularly the plague and David's subsequent purchase of Ornan's threshing floor, directly lead to the establishment of the site for Solomon's Temple, a central theological concern for the Chronicler. This account parallels [2 Samuel 24](/2-samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and the Plague"), yet significantly diverges in its attribution of the instigation, a point of profound theological import that shapes the Chronicler's message.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was written for a post-exilic Jewish community, likely in the late 5th or early 4th century BCE. Its primary purpose was to remind the returning exiles of their heritage, the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant, the centrality of the Temple in their worship, and the necessity of obedience to God. Censuses were not inherently forbidden in ancient Israel; indeed, they were conducted in the wilderness (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel")) for military and administrative purposes. However, David's census here is presented as a transgression. This could be due to its underlying motivation—a reliance on human military strength rather than divine provision, an act of pride, or perhaps the omission of the required atonement money for each counted individual as prescribed in [Exodus 30:12-16](/exodus/30-12-16 "Exodus 30:12-16 - The Ransom for the Census"). The cultural understanding of a king's power was often tied to the size of his army, making David's desire to number his fighting men a potential temptation to boast in human might rather than divine faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme emerging from this verse is the **reality of spiritual warfare** and the **active malice of Satan**. Unlike the parallel account in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census"), which attributes the instigation to "the anger of the LORD," 1 Chronicles explicitly names Satan, highlighting the Chronicler's theological emphasis on the direct, malevolent influence of spiritual forces. This also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human responsibility**; while God may permit certain events, human beings remain accountable for their choices, even when tempted by external forces. Furthermore, the narrative explores the **consequences of pride and disobedience**, as David's sin brings plague upon the nation. Ultimately, however, this dark episode paradoxically leads to the **establishment of the Temple site**, demonstrating God's ability to providentially work even through human failure to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes for His people and the place of His dwelling.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Hebrew, _sâṭân'_):** This term, meaning "adversary" or "accuser," is used here as a proper noun, referring to the specific arch-enemy of good, the angelic being who opposes God and His people. Its explicit mention in 1 Chronicles 21:1, as opposed to the more ambiguous "anger of the LORD" in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census"), marks a significant theological development, clearly identifying the source of malicious instigation. This emphasizes the Chronicler's post-exilic understanding of the cosmic conflict and the direct involvement of evil spiritual forces in human history.
* **stood up (Hebrew, _ʻâmad'_):** The verb "stood up" (from _ʻâmad_) implies an active, deliberate posture of opposition or confrontation. It is not a passive presence but an aggressive stance, indicating that Satan actively positioned himself against Israel with a hostile intent, ready to execute his malevolent plan. This conveys a sense of direct engagement and challenge, establishing a confrontational posture.
* **provoked (Hebrew, _çûwth'_):** This verb means to "prick," "stimulate," "seduce," "entice," "move," or "persuade." It suggests a strong, persuasive, and often deceptive influence to move someone to action, typically for a negative or sinful purpose. Here, it highlights Satan's active role in tempting David, not merely suggesting but actively pushing him towards the sinful census by stimulating his pride or lack of trust.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Satan stood up against Israel":** This clause immediately establishes the active role of a malevolent spiritual entity. Satan's opposition is not merely against David as an individual but "against Israel"—the entire covenant community. This signifies that the adversary's ultimate target is God's people, seeking to undermine their relationship with God and disrupt His plans for them. The phrase "stood up" denotes a deliberate and aggressive posture of hostility, indicating a direct challenge.
* **"and provoked David":** This clarifies the specific method of Satan's attack: direct instigation and temptation of the king. While Satan is the instigator, David remains the responsible agent for his subsequent actions. The provocation was likely an appeal to David's pride, his desire for self-reliance, or a lack of full trust in God's power and provision for his kingdom, aiming to lead him into sin.
* **"to number Israel":** This specifies the sinful act David was provoked to undertake. While censuses were not inherently wrong, this particular census was sinful because of its underlying motivation (pride, reliance on human military strength rather than God) or its execution (perhaps neglecting the required atonement money, as per [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - Ransom for the Census")). It represented a shift from dependence on God to confidence in human resources, a transgression against the covenant relationship.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler's account in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1-chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Provokes David") employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Personification**, as Satan is presented not as an abstract force but as a distinct, active, and malicious agent who "stood up" and "provoked" David. This gives a vivid, almost dramatic, portrayal of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the personal nature of evil. There is also an implicit **Juxtaposition** with the parallel account in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census"), where the instigation is attributed to "the anger of the LORD." This highlights the Chronicler's unique theological perspective, emphasizing Satan's role while not necessarily contradicting God's ultimate sovereignty, but rather offering a complementary view of the source of temptation. Finally, the events of this chapter serve as **Foreshadowing**, as David's sin, the subsequent plague, and his repentance ultimately lead to the purchase of Ornan's threshing floor, which becomes the divinely appointed site for the Temple. This demonstrates God's ability to bring about His purposes even through human sin and its consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, especially in the context of evil, is profoundly addressed in 1 Chronicles 21:1. While [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census") states that "the anger of the LORD was again kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them," 1 Chronicles explicitly names Satan. This difference is not a contradiction but a complementary theological perspective that enriches our understanding. It teaches that God, in His ultimate sovereignty, can permit or even use the actions of evil agents (like Satan) to accomplish His purposes, whether in judgment or in bringing about a greater good. Satan acts as an instigator, appealing to David's sinful inclinations (pride, self-reliance), but David remains morally accountable for his choice to yield to that temptation. Thus, the verse affirms both the reality of demonic influence and the unwavering principle of human culpability for sin, reminding us that external temptation does not negate internal responsibility.

* [Job 1:6-12](/job/1-6-12 "Job 1:6-12 - Satan's Challenge to God and God's Permission")
* [James 1:13-15](/james/1-13-15 "James 1:13-15 - The Origin of Temptation and Sin")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1-peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober, Be Vigilant Against the Adversary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of David's census in 1 Chronicles 21:1 serves as a potent reminder of the unseen spiritual battle that rages around and within us. It underscores that temptation is not merely an internal struggle but often involves the direct, malevolent influence of an adversary who seeks to provoke us to sin. Just as Satan targeted David, he continues to seek opportunities to derail God's people, appealing to our pride, our desire for self-sufficiency, or our lack of trust in God. This narrative calls us to a profound vigilance, recognizing that our true strength lies not in our own resources or achievements, but in humble reliance upon God. It challenges us to examine our motivations, ensuring that our actions are rooted in faith and obedience rather than pride or a desire for human glory. Ultimately, while temptation is real and powerful, this passage affirms our responsibility for our choices, urging us to resist the devil and draw near to God for strength, wisdom, and the grace to stand firm against his schemes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Satan's explicit role in provoking David impact my perception of temptation in my own life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to rely on my own strength, resources, or achievements rather than trusting fully in God's provision and power?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater vigilance against spiritual attacks and to foster a deeper humility and dependence on God?**

### FAQ
**Why is this account different from 2 Samuel 24:1, which says "the anger of the LORD... moved David"?**

Answer: The difference between 1 Chronicles 21:1 and [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census") is a classic example of complementary theological perspectives rather than contradiction. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes the direct role of Satan to highlight the reality of spiritual warfare and the adversary's active malice. This perspective aligns with a developed understanding of evil forces in the later biblical period, showing that evil operates in the world. [2 Samuel 24:1](/2-samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord's Anger and David's Census"), on the other hand, attributes the instigation to "the anger of the LORD," emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over all events, even those involving sin and evil. From this viewpoint, God, in His righteous anger against Israel's unfaithfulness, permitted Satan to act as an instrument of His judgment or allowed David's sinful inclination to be exposed. Both accounts are true: God's sovereign plan allowed for the event, Satan actively instigated the sin, and David willingly chose to obey the temptation, thereby remaining fully responsible for his actions.

**Was numbering Israel inherently wrong, or was it David's motivation?**

Answer: Numbering Israel was not inherently wrong. The book of [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Censuses of Israel") records two censuses commanded by God Himself for military and administrative purposes. The sin in David's case was likely rooted in his motivation and possibly the omission of a crucial Mosaic requirement. David's desire to number his fighting men seems to have stemmed from pride, a reliance on his own military strength and human resources rather than an unwavering trust in God's power and ability to deliver. It represented a shift from dependence on God to self-sufficiency. Additionally, [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - Ransom for the Census") prescribed that when a census was taken, each person counted must pay a half-shekel as "atonement money" to the Lord, lest a plague come upon them. It is highly probable David neglected this command, further contributing to the sin and the subsequent divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's sin in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1-chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Provokes David") finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike David, who succumbed to Satan's provocation and relied on human strength, Jesus, the greater Son of David, perfectly resisted every temptation from the adversary, as seen in His wilderness temptation ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")). Where David's pride led to a plague and judgment upon the nation, Christ's perfect humility and obedience, even to death on a cross, brought about ultimate healing and salvation for all humanity. The census, an act of human self-reliance, foreshadows the need for a true King whose kingdom is not built on earthly armies or human might but on divine power and perfect righteousness. Jesus, the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), became the ultimate atonement for sin, fulfilling the temporary ransom required in the Mosaic Law and providing a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that forever defeats the power of sin and Satan ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Devil's Power")). Furthermore, the very site where the plague was stopped and David offered sacrifice—Ornan's threshing floor—became the divinely appointed location for the Temple, pointing to Christ as the true dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection and the True Temple")). In Christ, we find victory over the tempter, forgiveness for our pride, and the foundation for an unshakable kingdom built on God's unwavering faithfulness, not human strength ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 24:1

¶ And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

2 Samuel 24:25

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Zechariah 3:1

¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Job 2:1

¶ Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

1 Kings 22:20

And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

1 Kings 22:22

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

Job 1:6

¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.