1 CHRONICLES 21

DAVID TAKES A CENSUS + PURCHASES A THRESHING FLOOR

David organizes a census to be taken in Israel, counting the number of men in his army. While David thought this was a good idea, Joab did not agree. God is not pleased with David’s decision to take a census. Although taking a census itself is not sinful, David was acting out of his own volition over trusting God’s timing.

David realizes that he sinned and confesses. God is angry with David and allows him to choose between three years of famine, three months of persecution, or three days of plague and illness. David could not choose and allows God to choose for him. God chooses three days of plague. Although God must deal with sin, He does not prolong Israel’s suffering.

During the three days, 70,000 men die, but Jerusalem is not destroyed. David cries out to God to stop the illness and God instructs him to make an offering at the threshing floor. David purchases the threshing floor from the man who owned it, even though he offered it for free. David did not want to sacrifice to God something that did not cost him anything. David offers a sacrifice at this new location and God accepts the sacrifice.

This story is also recorded in 2 Samuel 24. One difference in this account is that Satan is accredited for instructing David to take the census. Although the origin of the census is not fully known, it ultimately worked for God’s glory and purpose by establishing a new location for sacrifices. God has authority over everything, even when sin is involved.