1 Chronicles 20-22: Preparing A Way

Thoughts

Chronicles 20

In the spring, Joab (David’s commander of the army and nephew) leads the army against Rabbah (capital of the Ammonites). David remains in Jerusalem.

Joab captures Rabbah and David takes the king’s crown and lots of spoil. The people of Rabbah are put to forced labor. (See 2 Samuel 12)

Three battles

• First battle at Gezer: Sibbecai kills Sippai, a descendant of the giants.
• Second battle: Elhanan kills Lahmi, brother of Goliath.
• Third battle: A man of great stature with six fingers and six toes defies Israel; Jonathan, son of Shimea (David’s brother), kills him.

Chronicles 21

Satan incites David to number Israel. Joab resists but obeys, numbering all but not Levi and Benjamin.

• In earlier books (like Job 1–2 or Zechariah 3), the Hebrew uses ha-satan (הַשָּׂטָן) which literally means “the adversary” or “the accuser.” The definite article “ha–”(הַ) shows it’s being used as a title or role, hence the “the”. 
• Here in 1 Chronicles 21 the Hebrew does not have the definite article. It just says “Satan” (שָּׂטָן)
• Chronicles is technically the last book of the Hebrew Tanakh before leading into NT Greek which uses a proper name Σατανᾶς (Satanas)

In 2 Samuel 14 it was said it was from “the anger of the Lord”. 

David realizes his sin and confesses.

God offers three punishments through Gad the prophet:

1. Three years of famine.
2. Three months of defeat by enemies.
3. Three days of plague.

• David chooses the plague; 70,000 die.

The angel of the Lord is stopped at the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah). David pleads with God to spare the people.

Gad tells David to build an altar on the threshing floor. Ornan offers to give it free, but David insists on paying full price. David builds the altar, offers sacrifices, and the plague stops.

Chronicles 22

David declares the threshing floor as the current house of God and altar. He gathers materials: iron, bronze, cedar, stone.

He charges Solomon to build the temple and explains why he himself cannot build it: he shed much blood. But he also encourages Solomon: the Lord will give him peace and rest.

David provides materials and workers for the task and commands leaders of Israel to help Solomon.

• Including one hundred thousand talents of gold which is huge

He reminds them of God’s rest and peace given to Israel.

Questions

So did Satan tempt David and then God allowed it to happen (the census)?

How do we know this is “Satan Satan” if no “the”? Satan just means adversary.

How did God choose who would be the 70,000 who would die?

Application

I’m going to focus on Chapter 22, where David prepares Solomon for the next mission. In our lifetime we may not finish the work (there is always more to be done!) but we can help the next generation. David gathered resources to prepare Solomon, just like we can plant seeds for others to water and grow. David also gave Solomon and Israel encouragement, which is important for equipping others.