What does 1 Chronicles 21:7 mean?
"And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel." - 1 Chronicles 21:7
1 Chronicles 21:7 (KJV) reads, "And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel."
This verse is part of a larger passage that recounts King David's sinful decision to take a census of Israel, which was a direct violation of God's command. The consequences of this action were severe, as it led to a devastating plague that afflicted the people of Israel. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obedience to God's commands.
The context of this verse is important to understand its significance. In the preceding verses, we learn that Satan incited David to take a census of Israel, which was a prideful and sinful act. David's commander, Joab, warned him against doing so, but David insisted on going through with it. This act demonstrated David's reliance on human strength and numbers rather than trusting in God's protection and provision. As a result, God was displeased with David's actions and inflicted punishment on Israel.
The theme of obedience and disobedience is central to this verse. Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to obedience, and He consistently blesses obedience and punishes disobedience. In this case, David's disobedience led to a significant and tragic consequence for the nation of Israel. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of following God's commands and the grave consequences of straying from His will.
The symbolism in this verse is profound. The act of taking a census was not inherently sinful, but the motivation behind it revealed David's sinful pride and lack of trust in God. It symbolizes the human tendency to rely on our own strength and resources rather than trusting in God's provision. The consequences of this disobedience, in the form of a devastating plague, symbolize the natural outworking of sin and the severity of God's judgment.
Furthermore, this verse also highlights God's sovereignty and justice. His displeasure with David's actions resulted in a punishment that affected the entire nation. This serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of sin and the righteousness of God's judgment. It also demonstrates the seriousness with which God takes disobedience and the importance of wholehearted obedience to His commands.
In conclusion, 1 Chronicles 21:7 (KJV) serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obedience to God's commands. It highlights the themes of obedience and disobedience, as well as the symbolism of human reliance versus divine provision. It also underscores God's sovereignty and justice in dealing with sin. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring that we are living in obedience to God and trusting in His provision rather than our own strength.
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1 Chronicles 21:7 - "And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel."
"And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel." - 1 Chronicles 21:7
1 Chronicles 7:21 - "¶ And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle."
1 Chronicles 1:21 - "Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,"
1 Chronicles 8:21 - "And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;"
1 Chronicles 21:1 - "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."
1 Chronicles 24:21 - "Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah."
1 Chronicles 9:21 - "And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
1 Chronicles 1:7 - "And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim."
1 Chronicles 21:9 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,"
"Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah," - 1 Chronicles 1:21
1 Chronicles 21:21 - "And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground."
1 Chronicles 14:7 - "And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet."
1 Chronicles 3:7 - "And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,"
1 Chronicles 23:21 - "¶ The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish."
1 Chronicles 23:7 - "¶ Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei."
1 Chronicles 25:21 - "The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:"
1 Chronicles 7:39 - "And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia."
1 Chronicles 7:38 - "And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara."
1 Chronicles 12:7 - "And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor."
1 Chronicles 7:1 - "Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four."
1 Chronicles 21:19 - "And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD."
1 Chronicles 21:6 - "But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab."
1 Chronicles 15:21 - "And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel."
1 Chronicles 21:25 - "So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight."
1 Chronicles 7:6 - "¶ The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three."
1 Chronicles 7:34 - "And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram."
1 Chronicles 4:7 - "And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan."
1 Chronicles 6:7 - "Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,"
2 Chronicles 21:7 - "Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever."