1 Chronicles 21:17

KJV

And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto God {H430}, Is it not I that commanded {H559} the people {H5971} to be numbered {H4487}? even I it is that have sinned {H2398} and done evil {H7489} indeed {H7489}; but as for these sheep {H6629}, what have they done {H6213}? let thine hand {H3027}, I pray thee, O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, be on me, and on my father's {H1} house {H1004}; but not on thy people {H5971}, that they should be plagued {H4046}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David said to God, "Wasn't it I who ordered the census of the people? Yes, I am the one who has sinned and done something very wicked. But these sheep, what have they done? Please! Let your hand be against me and my father's family, but not against your people, striking them with this plague!"

Berean Standard Bible

And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house, but do not let this plague remain upon Your people.”

American Standard Version

And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I pray thee, O Jehovah my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against thy people, that they should be plagued.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:17 captures King David's profound moment of repentance and selfless intercession before God. Following a divinely displeasing census, David confronts the devastating plague afflicting his people. In this poignant prayer, he unequivocally assumes full responsibility for his sin, acknowledging his sole culpability, and then, with a heart broken for the innocent, pleads for God's hand of judgment to fall upon himself and his household rather than continue to devastate the nation, demonstrating a deep compassion and a leader's willingness to vicariously bear the consequences for his flock.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the emotional and theological climax of the narrative in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and the Plague"). Immediately preceding this, David, prompted by Satan (as stated in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David")), ordered a census of Israel and Judah, an act that deeply displeased God. Despite the warnings from his commander Joab in [1 Chronicles 21:3-4](/1_chronicles/21-3-4 "1 Chronicles 21:3-4 - Joab's Warning to David"), David proceeded with the enumeration. As a direct consequence, God presented David with three options for divine punishment, from which David chose to "fall into the hand of the LORD" ([1 Chronicles 21:13](/1_chronicles/21-13 "1 Chronicles 21:13 - David Chooses God's Mercy")). A severe plague then swept through Israel, causing seventy thousand deaths ([1 Chronicles 21:14](/1_chronicles/21-14 "1 Chronicles 21:14 - The Plague upon Israel")). It is at this critical juncture, seeing the angel of the Lord poised to destroy Jerusalem ([1 Chronicles 21:15](/1_chronicles/21-15 "1 Chronicles 21:15 - The Angel of the Lord at Jerusalem")), that David, along with the elders, falls on his face and utters this heartfelt confession and plea, demonstrating a profound shift from prideful self-reliance to humble submission and intercession. This account closely parallels the narrative found in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Atonement"), providing a dual witness to the event's significance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of numbering the people in ancient Israel was not inherently sinful, as censuses were conducted for legitimate military or administrative purposes (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel")). However, David's census in this particular context is understood as an act of pride, a reliance on military strength and human resources rather than on God's sovereign provision and power. It may have also lacked the proper atonement money required by the Mosaic Law ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for Souls")) for those being numbered. In ancient Near Eastern thought, a king's actions often had corporate consequences for the entire nation, reflecting the concept of corporate solidarity where the head's sin could bring judgment upon the body. Thus, David's sin brought widespread judgment upon all of Israel. David's plea to take the punishment upon himself and his "father's house" reflects the understanding of dynastic responsibility and the king's role as a representative head. The location of this event, the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, is also historically significant, as it later became the divinely designated site for the construction of Solomon's Temple ([1 Chronicles 21:18-22:1](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - David Buys the Threshing Floor")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several crucial themes that resonate throughout biblical theology. Firstly, **Personal Responsibility and Repentance** are central, as David unequivocally takes full blame for his transgression, stating, "Is it not I that commanded... even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed." This profound admission of guilt underscores the necessity of direct and unreserved confession before God, a theme richly explored in David's own penitential prayers, such as [Psalm 51:3-4](/psalms/51-3-4 "Psalm 51:3-4 - David's Confession of Sin"). Secondly, **Intercession for the Innocent** is vividly portrayed through David's heart-wrenching concern for his people, whom he tenderly refers to as "these sheep," innocent victims of his sin. His plea, "let thine hand... be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued," showcases a leader's willingness to vicariously bear the consequences for his flock, foreshadowing the ultimate intercession of Christ. Thirdly, the narrative profoundly illustrates **The Impact of Leadership**, demonstrating how the actions of a leader, whether righteous or sinful, can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for the entire community, emphasizing the weighty responsibility inherent in authority. Lastly, the passage highlights **God's Justice and Mercy**, as divine judgment is met with a pathway for repentance and the ultimate cessation of the plague through atonement, as seen in the subsequent events at [Ornan's threshing floor](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26 - God Accepts David's Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sheep (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** This common biblical term refers to a flock of sheep or goats, a collective name for small cattle. In this context, David uses it metaphorically to describe the people of Israel. The metaphor emphasizes their vulnerability, their blamelessness in his specific sin, and their dependence, much like a flock relies on its shepherd. By likening his people to "sheep," David underscores their innocence and appeals to God's compassion for His defenseless flock, highlighting their status as a "flock" under divine care.
* **Sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to miss," and figuratively, "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to incur guilt," or "to offend." David's emphatic declaration, "even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed," signifies a full and unequivocal admission of guilt. It implies a deliberate transgression against God's will and a recognition of the moral failure inherent in his actions, which brought about severe consequences. It expresses his acknowledgment of having "missed the mark" of divine expectation.
* **Plagued (Hebrew, _maggêphâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to strike," this noun refers to a "pestilence," "slaughter," or "stroke," often specifically a divine judgment or punishment. In this narrative, it refers to the severe pestilence sent by God upon Israel as a consequence of David's sin. David's plea, "but not on thy people, that they should be plagued," is a desperate cry for the cessation of this divine judgment, seeking to divert its destructive force from the innocent multitude and prevent further "slaughter" or "stroke" upon them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered?"**: David's opening is a powerful rhetorical question that functions as an unequivocal confession. He immediately and fully takes responsibility, asserting his sole culpability for the census that provoked God's wrath. This is not a question seeking information, but a declarative statement emphasizing his personal initiative and authority in the sinful act, leaving no room for doubt or deflection.
* **"even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed;"**: This clause reinforces David's confession with emphatic language and strong affirmation. The repetition and intense phrasing ("even I it is," "indeed") leave no doubt about his recognition of his own profound moral failure and the inherent wickedness of his deed in God's sight. He acknowledges the depth of his transgression without excuse or attempt to mitigate his guilt.
* **"but [as for] these sheep, what have they done?"**: Here, David shifts from self-accusation to compassionate intercession for his people. By referring to them as "these sheep," he employs a tender and vulnerable metaphor, highlighting their innocence and blamelessness in *his* sin. The rhetorical question "what have they done?" powerfully underscores their lack of culpability and appeals to God's mercy on their behalf, emphasizing the injustice of their suffering for a sin they did not commit.
* **"let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house;"**: This is the profound core of David's sacrificial plea. He is willing to bear the divine judgment himself, offering himself and his entire household as substitutes for the nation. "Thine hand" here refers to God's hand of judgment or punishment. This demonstrates a profound act of self-sacrifice and a leader's willingness to suffer personally and corporately for the sake of his people.
* **"but not on thy people, that they should be plagued."**: This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose of David's intercession: to divert the devastating plague from the nation. It is a desperate cry for God's mercy to spare His chosen people, emphasizing David's deep love and concern for his flock, even at the cost of personal and familial suffering. It highlights his desire for the cessation of the "plague" or "stroke" upon the innocent.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 21:17 is rich with **rhetorical devices** that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The verse opens with a powerful **rhetorical question**, "Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered?", which functions not as an inquiry but as a forceful and unequivocal **confession** of guilt, immediately establishing David's full culpability. This is followed by emphatic **repetition** and **affirmation** ("even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed"), underscoring the sincerity and depth of his repentance. A profound **metaphor** is employed when David refers to the people as "these sheep," evoking imagery of vulnerability, innocence, and dependence, and contrasting their blamelessness with his own sin. This **contrast** is further highlighted by a second **rhetorical question**, "what have they done?", which emphasizes the injustice of their suffering for his transgression. Finally, the verse culminates in a powerful **intercession** characterized by **parallelism** and **antithesis**: "let thine hand... be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people." This structure starkly contrasts David's willingness to bear the judgment with his desperate plea for his people's deliverance, showcasing his sacrificial leadership and profound empathy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 21:17 is a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, repentance, and divine justice and mercy. David's immediate and unreserved confession ("even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed") exemplifies true repentance, acknowledging personal culpability without deflection. This act highlights the biblical truth that sin, especially from those in leadership, can have corporate consequences, impacting an entire community. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God remains responsive to a contrite heart. David's willingness to bear the punishment for his "sheep" foreshadows the ultimate act of vicarious suffering, where an innocent party takes on the consequences of another's sin. This moment at Ornan's threshing floor, where the plague is stopped by an altar and sacrifice, also establishes the future site of the Temple, symbolizing that atonement and reconciliation are found where God's presence dwells and sacrifice is offered, pointing to the ongoing need for propitiation for sin.

* [Psalm 51:3](/psalms/51-3 "Psalm 51:3 - David's Confession of Transgression")
* [Exodus 32:32](/exodus/32-32 "Exodus 32:32 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")
* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Iniquity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 21:17 offers timeless and challenging lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to a radical honesty in our repentance. When confronted with our sin, are we quick to confess unequivocally, or do we seek to minimize, excuse, or deflect blame? David's immediate and emphatic "I it is that have sinned" sets a high standard for genuine contrition, urging us to take full ownership of our transgressions before God. Secondly, this passage underscores the profound ripple effect of our actions, particularly for those in positions of leadership or influence—whether as parents, pastors, employers, or community members. Our choices, good or bad, inevitably impact those under our care, reminding us of the weighty responsibility that accompanies authority. David's willingness to bear the consequences for his people challenges us to consider the broader impact of our decisions and to cultivate a heart of selfless responsibility. Finally, David's intercession for the innocent "sheep" serves as a powerful model for prayer. It reminds us of our call to intercede for others, to stand in the gap, and to plead for God's mercy, especially when we witness suffering that seems undeserved or is a consequence of others' failings. This passage ultimately points to the merciful character of God, who, even in judgment, responds to humility and provides a way for atonement and reconciliation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate and unequivocal confession challenge our own tendencies to deflect blame or make excuses for our sins?**
* **In what ways do our actions, especially as leaders (in family, church, or work), impact those under our care, and how can we take greater responsibility for those effects?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart of intercession for others, especially when they suffer due to the sins of others or our own?**
* **What does David's willingness to bear judgment teach us about sacrificial love and leadership in our own lives?**

### FAQ

**Why was numbering the people a sin in this context, when other censuses were commanded by God?**

Answer: The sin was not in the act of numbering itself, but in David's underlying motive and the manner in which it was conducted. While God commanded censuses for specific, legitimate purposes (e.g., for military readiness or taxation, as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel")), David's census here appears to have stemmed from pride, a desire to rely on his own military strength and numbers rather than on God's power and provision. It may also have been conducted without the proper atonement money required by the Law for those being numbered ([Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Ransom for Souls")), which served as a recognition that life belongs to God and a symbolic act of propitiation. The Chronicler also explicitly states that "Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel" ([1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David")), highlighting the malevolent spiritual influence behind David's flawed motivation and the spiritual rebellion inherent in his act.

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

Answer: The suffering of the innocent for the sin of a leader is a difficult but recurring theme in the Old Testament, reflecting the concept of corporate solidarity in ancient Israel. In a covenant community, the actions of the king, as the representative head, could have far-reaching consequences for the entire nation. This communal judgment served several purposes: it underscored the extreme gravity of sin, especially that of a leader who was meant to embody righteousness; it demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty and justice; and it often served to humble the people and turn them back to God in repentance. While seemingly harsh from a modern individualistic perspective, it highlights David's profound responsibility and the devastating impact of his pride, prompting his heartfelt repentance and intercession, which ultimately led to the cessation of the plague.

**How does God's response to David's prayer demonstrate both His justice and His mercy?**

Answer: God's response perfectly balances justice and mercy. Justice is evident in the sending of the plague, which was a direct consequence of David's sin, demonstrating that God does not overlook disobedience and that sin carries severe consequences. The severe loss of life underscored the seriousness of the transgression. However, God's mercy is also profoundly displayed. He gave David a choice of punishments ([1 Chronicles 21:10-12](/1_chronicles/21-10-12 "1 Chronicles 21:10-12 - God Offers David a Choice of Punishments")), allowing David to "fall into the hand of the LORD" ([1 Chronicles 21:13](/1_chronicles/21-13 "1 Chronicles 21:13 - David chooses God's Mercy")), trusting in God's great mercy. Crucially, upon David's confession and intercession, God relented from the plague ([1 Chronicles 21:15](/1_chronicles/21-15 "1 Chronicles 21:15 - The Angel of the Lord Relents")), commanded David to build an altar, and accepted the sacrifice ([1 Chronicles 21:26-27](/1_chronicles/21-26-27 "1 Chronicles 21:26-27 - God Accepts David's Sacrifice")), providing a clear way for atonement and the cessation of judgment. This act of relenting, coupled with the establishment of the Temple site, illustrates God's compassionate nature and His desire for reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's poignant intercession in 1 Chronicles 21:17, where he offers himself and his household to bear the plague instead of his "sheep," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect intercession and vicarious suffering of Jesus Christ. David, though a king and a shepherd of his people, could only *wish* to bear the judgment for their sins; he could not fully atone for them or truly remove the plague of sin. His plea, while noble and demonstrating a shepherd's heart, was a partial act of intercession that pointed to a greater reality. Jesus, however, is the true [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"). He did not merely wish to bear the consequences of our sin; He actually became sin for us, bearing the full wrath of God on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The plague that fell upon Israel due to David's sin finds its ultimate resolution in the suffering of Christ, who was "pierced for our transgressions" and "by His stripes we are healed" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Transgressions")). David's desperate desire to divert the plague onto himself finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, who perfectly diverted God's judgment from humanity onto Himself, offering a complete and eternal atonement. As our great High Priest, Jesus continues to intercede for us, not with a desperate plea for a temporary reprieve, but with an eternal and effective mediation that ensures our salvation ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Thus, David's imperfect yet heartfelt act of substitutionary love points us directly to the flawless and saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate sin-bearer and intercessor.

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

Ezekiel 16:63

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:12

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

Exodus 32:32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Exodus 32:33

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Genesis 44:33

Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.