And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

1 CHRONICLES 21:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 21:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 21:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 21:1 describes how Satan opposed Israel by prompting King David to take a census of the people. The verse shows that David’s decision to count Israel was influenced by an adversarial force, not just his own choice.

In the setting of this verse, the chronicler is recounting a moment in Israel’s history when David, the king, was moved to number the people. The text highlights that this action was not neutral or purely administrative; it was stirred up by Satan, who is pictured as an adversary against the nation. This sets the stage for the consequences that follow in the chapter, as the census leads to trouble for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 21:1

  • שָּׂטָן (śāṭān): This word means "adversary" or "accuser." In this verse, it is used as a proper name, showing a personal adversary acting against Israel, which is notable because in earlier Old Testament books, the term often means a general opponent rather than a specific being.
  • סָתַן (sāṭan): The word translated "provoked" (H5496) means to incite or entice. Here, it shows that David was not acting entirely on his own initiative; he was being pushed toward this action by an outside influence.
  • מָנָה (mānāh): The word for "number" (H4487) means to count or take a census. In Israel’s context, numbering the people could be seen as an act of pride or a lack of trust in God’s provision, which explains why it was such a serious matter.

Why 1 Chronicles 21:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s census was not just a political or administrative act, but one influenced by a spiritual adversary, which adds depth to understanding the events that follow.
  • The mention of Satan as an instigator is unique in the Old Testament and marks a development in how the adversary is described, compared to earlier books where the term is less personal.
  • The verse sets up the rest of the chapter, where the consequences of David’s action unfold, helping readers see the connection between spiritual influence and real-world events in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“provoked” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

“Satan” Hebrew H7854 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
  • 1 Kings 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
  • Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

“number” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 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.
  • Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.