And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
Read it in contextDavid’s Military Census
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 21:1 (1 Chronicles 21:1 to 1 Chronicles 21:6).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
21:1And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
21:2And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
21:3And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
21:4Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
21:5And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
21:6But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 21:1–21:30): David, Joab, Gad, the affected people, and Ornan are involved in the census, plague, and altar episode. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? David’s Military Census. Read 1 Chronicles 21:1 through 1 Chronicles 21:6 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The genealogies range widely through generations; the narrative then concentrates on David and preparations for the temple. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The tribal lines and settlements range through Israel. David's reign and temple preparations concentrate on Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in David’s Military Census (1 Chronicles 21:1 to 1 Chronicles 21:6).
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 21:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? David's house and promised successor belong to the royal line later connected to Jesus. Preserve the immediate reference to Solomon where temple-building responsibilities are stated. See 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider faithful preparation, ordered service, and the contribution of many people to worship. Genealogies describe particular family relationships and should not be turned into a universal ranking of personal worth. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 21
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.