ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Chronicles 21

21:1–29:30 David’s Census and Preparation for the Temple. David paves the way for Solomon to build the temple. Even his census (21:1–22:1), though done out of wrong motives, yields a plot of land for the building site.

1 Chron 21:1–22:1 From 2 Sam. 24:1–25, with significant changes and additions. The account of David’s census and the resulting plague is an important turning point in Chronicles, between David’s wars (1 Chronicles 18–20) and his temple preparations (chs. 22–29). Beyond describing the purchase of the site for the temple, the author shows the meaning of the temple itself as the place of mercy and forgiveness. It is David, the model of “seeking God,” who shows the need for forgiveness (see 2 Chron. 6:36) and by his actions provides a model of true repentance (see note on 1 Chron. 21:17).

1 Chron 21:1 On God using Satan, see note on 2 Sam. 24:1. This census was sinful probably because it arose from David’s military ambitions (see 1 Chron. 21:5) and pride, and not from Yahweh’s command. In addition, David did not collect the poll tax for a census as required by Ex. 30:12.

1 Chron 21:3 The Chronicler’s mention of guilt in relation to David’s census is a significant addition to the account of this incident in 2 Sam. 24:3. For other mentions of “guilt” in Chronicles, see 2 Chron. 24:18; 28:13; 33:23.

1 Chron 21:5–6 The Chronicler adds that Joab found David’s census abhorrent (again emphasizing David’s sinfulness). Because of this, Joab did not include the priestly tribe of Levi in the count (perhaps remembering Num. 1:47–49). He also left out Benjamin, whose territory included Jerusalem (the site of the ark) and Gibeon (the site of the tabernacle).

1 Chron 21:7–13 David’s confession of guilt regarding the census leads him to appeal to God’s mercy, which is very great.

1 Chron 21:12 three years of famine. See note on 2 Sam. 24:13.

1 Chron 21:14–16 On relented (v. 15), see 1 Sam. 15:11–29 and notes on 1 Samuel 15:11–29; Jonah 3:10. The Chronicler does not tell readers what the Lord saw; probably it is the approaching calamity.

1 Chron 21:17 Compared to 2 Sam. 24:17 (see note there), David here makes a fuller confession and asks for the plague to be removed.

1 Chron 21:18–27 raise an altar. This was done to mark the special nature of the place and situation (compare Gen. 22:9–19). This will become the site of the temple (see 1 Chron. 22:1).

1 Chron 21:26 David built there an altar. See note on 2 Sam. 24:25. The Lord answered him with fire from heaven, signifying God’s approval of the temple site (see Lev. 9:24; 2 Chron. 7:1).

1 Chron 21:28–22:1 This material is not found in 2 Samuel 24. It explains why David did not go to Gibeon to offer sacrifice and why he concluded that God had authorized moving the sanctuary to Jerusalem (see 2 Chron. 1:3–6; 5:5).