1 Chronicles 21:14

KJV

So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the LORD {H3068} sent {H5414} pestilence {H1698} upon Israel {H3478}: and there fell {H5307} of Israel {H3478} seventy {H7657} thousand {H505} men {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI sent a plague on Isra'el; 70,000 of the people of Isra'el died.

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.

American Standard Version

So Jehovah sent a pestilence upon Israel; and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:14 records the devastating immediate consequence of King David's disobedient census of Israel: a divinely sent pestilence that claimed the lives of seventy thousand men. This verse starkly illustrates the severe and widespread repercussions of sin, particularly the pride and lack of trust in God demonstrated by a leader, underscoring God's unwavering justice and sovereignty in executing judgment upon His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct fulfillment of the judgment chosen by King David after his sin of numbering Israel. The narrative begins in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David") with Satan inciting David, leading him to command a census of the fighting men, an act that displeased God ([1 Chronicles 21:7](/1_chronicles/21-7 "1 Chronicles 21:7 - God Displeased with the Census")). Prophet Gad then presents David with three choices of punishment: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of pestilence. David, acknowledging God's great mercy, chose to "fall now into the hand of the LORD" ([1 Chronicles 21:13](/1_chronicles/21-13 "1 Chronicles 21:13 - David Chooses God's Hand")), opting for the pestilence. Verse 14 then records the immediate and horrific manifestation of this chosen judgment, detailing the immense loss of life. This account parallels the narrative found in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and the Plague").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Censuses in ancient Israel were not inherently wrong, as seen in the book of Numbers, but they were typically commanded by God for specific purposes (e.g., military readiness, taxation, land distribution). David's census, however, appears to have been motivated by pride, a desire to rely on human strength and numbers rather than divine provision, or a lack of proper divine authorization and atonement, making it an act of profound disobedience. In the ancient Near East, plagues and pestilences were often understood as direct acts of divine judgment, a common means by which deities expressed wrath or asserted sovereignty. The concept of corporate solidarity meant that the sin of a leader could bring consequences upon the entire nation, as the king was seen as the representative head of the people.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes highlighted by [1 Chronicles 21:14](/1_chronicles/21-14 "1 Chronicles 21:14 - The Pestilence") include the **severity of divine judgment** against sin, particularly against pride and disobedience in leadership. It powerfully demonstrates the **consequences of human arrogance** and the danger of relying on worldly strength rather than God. The immense loss of life underscores the **sanctity of human life** and the tragic **ripple effect of sin**, where the actions of one, especially a figure of authority, can have devastating repercussions for many. Furthermore, the verse reaffirms **God's absolute sovereignty and justice**, showing His power to execute judgment and His unwavering commitment to holiness, even when it involves His chosen people and their beloved king. This event ultimately leads to the establishment of the temple site, highlighting God's ultimate purpose even amidst judgment, as seen in [1 Chronicles 21:18-30](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18-30 - Altar at Ornan's Threshing Floor").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _dever'_):** This term refers to a widespread, often sudden and deadly, epidemic or plague. In biblical contexts, _dever_ is frequently depicted as an instrument of divine judgment, a direct outpouring of God's wrath, as seen in the plagues upon Egypt or during rebellions in the wilderness. It signifies a swift and overwhelming calamity.
* **Fell (Hebrew, _naphal'_):** The verb "fell" here is a euphemism for death, specifically implying being struck down or dying. It conveys the suddenness and fatality of the plague, emphasizing that the seventy thousand men did not merely become ill but succumbed to the disease, highlighting the direct and lethal impact of God's judgment.
* **Seventy thousand men (Hebrew, _shiv'im eleph ish'_):** This precise, staggering number emphasizes the immense scale of the disaster. While numbers in biblical narratives can sometimes carry symbolic weight, here it primarily conveys the profound human cost and the devastating scope of the judgment, underscoring the seriousness with which God viewed David's sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel:"**: This clause establishes the direct divine agency behind the calamity. The "So" indicates a direct consequence of David's choice to fall into God's hand, demonstrating God's immediate and sovereign execution of judgment. It highlights that this was not a natural disaster but a specific, punitive act of God.
* **"and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men."**: This clause details the horrific outcome of the divine action. The phrase "fell of Israel" emphasizes that the victims were from the very nation David had pridefully numbered, directly linking the punishment to the people affected by the king's sin. The immense number "seventy thousand men" underscores the severity and widespread nature of the judgment, a stark reminder of the corporate consequences of a leader's disobedience.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Divine Retribution** is central, as God directly and immediately acts to punish David's sin, demonstrating His unwavering justice and sovereignty. The narrative uses **Cause and Effect** with stark clarity: David's disobedient census directly leads to God's judgment, manifested as the pestilence. The sheer number "seventy thousand men" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Numerical Emphasis**, not necessarily to suggest an exact count, but to convey the overwhelming and devastating scale of the loss, evoking **Pathos** and a sense of horror at the human cost. The swiftness of the plague, implied by the immediate "sent" and "fell," also contributes to the dramatic impact, highlighting the immediacy of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that sin, particularly pride and disobedience, carries severe consequences, not only for the individual but often for the wider community. It underscores God's absolute holiness and justice, revealing that He is not indifferent to sin, even in His chosen leaders. While God is merciful, His justice demands accountability, and He will act to uphold His righteous standards. The corporate suffering for a leader's sin serves as a sober reminder of the interconnectedness of God's people and the immense responsibility that comes with leadership, where one person's actions can have far-reaching, tragic implications.

* [Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "Exodus 12:29 - Death of the Firstborn")
* [Numbers 16:49](/numbers/16-49 "Numbers 16:49 - Plague after Korah's Rebellion")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic loss of seventy thousand lives in 1 Chronicles 21:14 serves as a stark and enduring reminder of the gravity of sin and its far-reaching consequences. It compels us to examine our own hearts for pride, self-reliance, and any tendency to trust in human strength or resources over God's divine provision. For those in positions of leadership, whether in the church, family, or society, this passage is a powerful call to humility, integrity, and absolute obedience to God, recognizing that our choices can profoundly impact those entrusted to our care. It also challenges us to hold a healthy fear of the Lord, understanding that while He is merciful and loving, He is also just and holy, and His standards are not to be trifled with. Ultimately, this narrative should drive us to repentance when we fall short and to a deeper reliance on God's grace, acknowledging that true security and blessing come only through humble submission to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's justice and mercy in the face of human sin?**
* **What are the potential "ripple effects" of our own pride or disobedience, especially for those we influence or lead?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to rely on human strength, numbers, or resources rather than trusting in God's sovereign provision and guidance?**

### FAQ

**Why did innocent people suffer for David's sin?**

Answer: This is a profound and challenging question that touches on the biblical concept of corporate solidarity, especially prevalent in the Old Testament. In ancient Israel, the king was seen as the representative head of the nation, and his actions, whether righteous or sinful, could have corporate consequences for the entire community. David's sin was not merely personal; it was an act of national leadership that reflected a lack of trust in God for the nation's security. While God's justice also emphasizes individual accountability ([Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Fathers Not Punished for Sons")), there are instances where the consequences of sin extend beyond the immediate perpetrator, demonstrating the interconnectedness of humanity and the seriousness of sin in God's eyes. This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of sin and God's ultimate sovereignty, even in judgment. It also serves to highlight the need for a perfect sacrifice that could truly atone for sin, both individual and corporate.

**Is God still like this today, sending plagues as direct punishment for sin?**

Answer: God's character and attributes, including His justice and holiness, are unchanging ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same")). However, the specific ways in which God interacts with humanity and administers justice have evolved through the covenants, culminating in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. While the Bible indicates that natural disasters and diseases can, at times, be consequences of a fallen world or even indirect judgments, the direct, punitive, and immediate plague described in 1 Chronicles 21:14 is characteristic of Old Testament divine intervention. Under the New Covenant, God's primary mode of dealing with sin is through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who believe. The ultimate judgment for sin has been decisively dealt with on the cross, and the final judgment for those who reject Christ is yet to come. Believers are now "in Christ" and are not under condemnation for their sins ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:14, with its depiction of widespread death as a consequence of sin, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate cost of humanity's rebellion and the profound need for a divine solution. The seventy thousand who "fell" represent the universal reality that "the wages of sin is death" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). David's choice to "fall into the hand of the LORD" ([1 Chronicles 21:13](/1_chronicles/21-13 "1 Chronicles 21:13 - David Chooses God's Hand")) highlights a desperate reliance on God's mercy, even amidst judgment. This points forward to Jesus Christ, who willingly "fell into the hand of the LORD" on the cross, not for His own sin, but to bear the "pestilence" of humanity's sin on our behalf. He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). The severity of the plague in David's time underscores the infinite severity of sin that required the ultimate sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His death, Christ absorbed the divine wrath and judgment that humanity deserved, bringing an end to the plague of sin and offering eternal life to all who believe. His stripes bring our healing, and by His wounds, we are made whole ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")).

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

1 Samuel 6:19

¶ And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten [many] of the people with a great slaughter.

Numbers 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:24

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

Numbers 16:46

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

Numbers 16:49

Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

Exodus 12:30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.

2 Kings 19:35

¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.