Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Chronicles 21

This account of the census is similar to 2 Samuel 24:1–25 but focuses on different aspects. The Chronicler’s version sets the stage for dedicating the altar and preparing to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22).

Satan, (also called the adversary), encouraged David to count his military forces (see 2 Samuel 24:1). The Chronicler views the story in Samuel through his understanding of Satan as an opponent of God and humanity. God allows Satan to act in the world, and through this, Satan unknowingly serves God's purposes (see 2 Chronicles 18:3–34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zechariah 3:1–2; Matthew 4:1–11; John 13:27; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 1:20; Revelation 20:3, 7–9).

The study note on 2 Samuel 24:1 explores why God was upset with the census.

Later, Gad is mentioned as having created a list of the acts of King David (1 Chronicles 29:29).

These verses describe the angel and David's response in more detail than the similar text in 2 Samuel 24:17. Seeing the angel on his mission moved David to plead for the people.

The census and plague led to dedicating Araunah’s threshing floor as the site for the new sanctuary. Normally, offerings were made at Gibeon, where the tabernacle was located (see 1 Chronicles 16:39; 21:29; 2 Chronicles 1:3). The plague stopped at the threshing floor, allowing David to make offerings there as instructed by Gad the seer (1 Chronicles 21:18). David then chose this new location for the future temple of the Lord God.