What is 1 Chronicles 21 about?

1 Chronicles chapter 21 contains Scripture that reveals important truths about God's character and His relationship with His people.

How many verses are in 1 Chronicles 21?

1 Chronicles chapter 21 contains verses that offer wisdom and guidance for daily living and spiritual growth.

How can I apply 1 Chronicles 21 to my life?

Read 1 Chronicles 21 slowly and prayerfully, asking God to speak to you. Consider how the themes relate to your current circumstances and journal about what God is teaching you.

1 Chronicles Chapter 21

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1 Chronicles 21 Summary: Meaning, Themes & Reflection

Explore this passage of Scripture with its full text and meaning. Read these 30 Bible verses from 1 Chronicles and discover their timeless wisdom.

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1. Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.” 3. But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” 4. Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem. 5. And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah. 6. But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him. 7. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel. 8. Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 9. And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer, 10. “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” 11. So Gad went and said to David, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You must choose 12. between three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.” 13. David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” 14. So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. 15. Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and relented from the calamity, and He said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16. When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. 17. And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house, but do not let this plague remain upon Your people.” 18. Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19. So David went up at the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD. 20. Now Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21. David came to Ornan, and when Ornan looked out and saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed facedown before David. 22. Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to the LORD. Sell it to me for the full price, so that the plague upon the people may be halted.” 23. Ornan said to David, “My lord the king may take whatever seems good. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering—I will give it all.” 24. “No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25. So David paid Ornan six hundred shekels of gold for the site. 26. And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. 27. Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put his sword back into its sheath. 28. At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. 29. For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in Gibeon, 30. but David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

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When you want one passage to carry out of this chapter, read the daily Bible verse with its reflection and prayer.

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Key Themes and Application

Background

This chapter of Scripture reveals important truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. The 30 Bible verses in this passage offer wisdom that applies to our daily lives.

Main Message

This passage contains timeless wisdom that speaks to believers across generations.

Life Application

Read these verses slowly and prayerfully, asking God to speak to you
Consider how this passage applies to your current circumstances
Journal about what God is teaching you through this Scripture
Share these insights with friends or in a small group setting

Reflection Questions

What stands out to you most in these 30 Bible verses?
How does this passage challenge or encourage you today?
What is God inviting you to do or believe through this Scripture?
Who in your life needs to hear the message of these verses?

About These 30 Bible Verses

Reading the Bible is more than just checking off a task on your list. When you open these 30 Bible verses from 1 Chronicles, you are entering into a conversation with God that has spanned thousands of years.

This chapter of Scripture invites you to slow down and listen. The words on these pages have comforted, challenged, and guided countless believers throughout history. As you read this passage, remember that God speaks through His Word to meet you right where you are.

Many people find it helpful to read these verses multiple times. First, read to understand the overall message. Then read again to notice specific words or phrases that stand out. Finally, read once more asking God to show you how this Scripture applies to your life today.

Why Study This Passage?

For Personal Growth

These 30 Bible verses offer wisdom for your journey. As you meditate on this passage, God uses His Word to shape your character, deepen your faith, and guide your decisions.

For Group Study

This chapter provides rich material for discussion. Reading these Bible verses with others allows you to gain new perspectives and encourage one another in faith.

For Teaching and Preaching

Pastors and teachers find in this passage timeless truths to share. The themes in these verses speak to people of all ages and backgrounds.

For Prayer and Worship

Let these words become your prayer. As you read, turn the verses into conversations with God, thanking Him for His promises and seeking His guidance.

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1 Chronicles 21 Summary: Meaning, Themes & Reflection

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Today's verse of the day

Key Themes and Application

Background

Main Message

Life Application

Reflection Questions

About These 30 Bible Verses

Why Study This Passage?

For Personal Growth

For Group Study

For Teaching and Preaching

For Prayer and Worship

Related Guides from the Hub

10 Powerful Opening Prayers for Bible Study: Simple Examples & Group Templates

From Tool to Companion: Why the Future of Bible Study is Conversational

5 Biblical Prayers for Anxiety: Finding Peace When You're Overwhelmed

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