Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:1–22:1 This account of the census closely parallels 2 Sam 24:1-25 but has an entirely different focus. The Chronicler’s account provides the context for the dedication of the altar and the preparations for building the Temple (1 Chr 22). 21:1 Satan (or the adversary) motivated David to take a census of his military forces (cp. 2 Sam 24:1). The Chronicler seems to interpret the narrative of Samuel in light of his theology of Satan as the adversary of God and humanity. As God allows Satan to work in the world, Satan unwittingly fulfills God’s purposes (cp. 2 Chr 18:3-34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zech 3:1-2; Matt 4:1-11; John 13:27; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Tim 1:20; Rev 20:3, 7-9).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:1–22:1 This account of the census closely parallels 2 Sam 24:1-25 but has an entirely different focus. The Chronicler’s account provides the context for the dedication of the altar and the preparations for building the Temple (1 Chr 22). 21:1 Satan (or the adversary) motivated David to take a census of his military forces (cp. 2 Sam 24:1). The Chronicler seems to interpret the narrative of Samuel in light of his theology of Satan as the adversary of God and humanity. As God allows Satan to work in the world, Satan unwittingly fulfills God’s purposes (cp. 2 Chr 18:3-34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zech 3:1-2; Matt 4:1-11; John 13:27; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Tim 1:20; Rev 20:3, 7-9).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Now Satan, designing evil against Israel, put into David's mind the impulse to take the number of Israel.