1 Chroniques - Caput 21

1 Chroniques 21.1 consurrexit autem Satan contra Israhel et incitavit David ut numeraret Israhel 1 Chroniques 21.2 dixitque David ad Ioab et ad principes populi ite et numerate Israhel a Bersabee usque Dan et adferte mihi numerum ut sciam 1 Chroniques 21.3 responditque Ioab augeat Dominus populum suum centuplum quam sunt nonne domine mi rex omnes servi tui sunt quare hoc quaerit dominus meus quod in peccatum reputetur Israheli 1 Chroniques 21.4 sed sermo regis magis praevaluit egressusque est Ioab et circuivit universum Israhel et reversus est Hierusalem 1 Chroniques 21.5 deditque David numerum eorum quos circumierat et inventus est omnis Israhel numerus mille milia et centum milia virorum educentium gladium de Iuda autem trecenta septuaginta milia bellatorum 1 Chroniques 21.6 nam Levi et Beniamin non numeravit eo quod invitus exsequeretur regis imperium 1 Chroniques 21.7 displicuit autem Deo quod iussum erat et percussit Israhel 1 Chroniques 21.8 dixitque David ad Deum peccavi nimis ut hoc facerem obsecro aufer iniquitatem servi tui quia insipienter egi 1 Chroniques 21.9 et locutus est Dominus ad Gad videntem David dicens 1 Chroniques 21.10 vade et loquere ad David et dic haec dicit Dominus trium tibi optionem do unum quod volueris elige et faciam tibi 1 Chroniques 21.11 cumque venisset Gad ad David dixit ei haec dicit Dominus elige quod volueris 1 Chroniques 21.12 aut tribus annis pestilentiam aut tribus mensibus fugere te hostes tuos et gladium eorum non posse evadere aut tribus diebus gladium Domini et mortem versari in terra et angelum Domini interficere in universis finibus Israhel nunc igitur vide quid respondeam ei qui misit me 1 Chroniques 21.13 et dixit David ad Gad ex omni parte me angustiae premunt sed melius mihi est ut incidam in manus Domini quia multae sunt miserationes eius quam in manus hominum 1 Chroniques 21.14 misit ergo Dominus pestilentiam in Israhel et ceciderunt de Israhel septuaginta milia virorum 1 Chroniques 21.15 misit quoque angelum in Hierusalem ut percuteret eam cumque percuteretur vidit Dominus et misertus est super magnitudinem mali et imperavit angelo qui percutiebat sufficit iam cesset manus tua porro angelus Domini stabat iuxta aream Ornan Iebusei 1 Chroniques 21.16 levansque David oculos suos vidit angelum Domini stantem inter terram et caelum et evaginatum gladium in manu eius et versum contra Hierusalem et ceciderunt tam ipse quam maiores natu vestiti ciliciis et proni in terram 1 Chroniques 21.17 dixitque David ad Deum nonne ego sum qui iussi ut numeraretur populus ego qui peccavi ego qui malum feci iste grex quid commeruit Domine Deus meus vertatur obsecro manus tua in me et in domum patris mei populus autem tuus non percutiatur 1 Chroniques 21.18 angelus autem Domini praecepit Gad ut diceret David et ascenderet extrueretque altare Domino Deo in area Ornan Iebusei 1 Chroniques 21.19 ascendit ergo David iuxta sermonem Gad quem locutus fuerat ex nomine Domini 1 Chroniques 21.20 porro Ornan cum suspexisset et vidisset angelum quattuorque filii eius cum eo absconderunt se nam eo tempore terebat in area triticum 1 Chroniques 21.21 igitur cum venisset David ad Ornan conspexit eum Ornan et processit ei obviam de area et adoravit illum pronus in terram 1 Chroniques 21.22 dixitque ei David da mihi locum areae tuae ut aedificem in ea altare Domini ita ut quantum valet argenti accipias et cesset plaga a populo 1 Chroniques 21.23 dixit autem Ornan ad David tolle et faciat dominus meus rex quodcumque ei placet sed et boves do in holocaustum et tribulas in ligna et triticum in sacrificium omnia libens praebeo 1 Chroniques 21.24 dixitque ei rex David nequaquam ita fiet sed argentum dabo quantum valet neque enim tibi auferre debeo et sic offerre Domino holocausta gratuita 1 Chroniques 21.25 dedit ergo David Ornan pro loco siclos auri iustissimi ponderis sescentos 1 Chroniques 21.26 et aedificavit ibi altare Domino obtulitque holocausta et pacifica et invocavit Dominum et exaudivit eum in igne de caelo super altare holocausti 1 Chroniques 21.27 praecepitque Dominus angelo et convertit gladium suum in vaginam 1 Chroniques 21.28 protinus ergo David videns quod exaudisset eum Dominus in area Ornan Iebusei immolavit ibi victimas 1 Chroniques 21.29 tabernaculum autem Domini quod fecerat Moses in deserto et altare holocaustorum ea tempestate erat in excelso Gabaon 1 Chroniques 21.30 et non praevaluit David ire ad altare ut ibi obsecraret Deum nimio enim fuerat timore perterritus videns gladium angeli Domini

1 Chroniques : Caput 21

Reflection on 1 Chronicles Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of the book of 1 Chronicles presents us with a crucial moment in Israel's history, when King David orders a census of his people. This decision, although motivated by human intentions, has profound spiritual consequences, revealing the struggle between pride and dependence on God.

Temptation and Divine Judgment

In this passage, we discover that Satan encourages David to count Israel, which provokes God's anger. This moment highlights the importance of trusting in God rather than human strength. The census, far from being a simple administrative act, thus becomes an act of disobedience that opens the way to divine judgment.

Themes of Pride, Repentance, and Mercy

This chapter addresses essential themes such as pride, which leads David to count his army and rely on his own strength, and repentance, when David realizes his sin. God, in His great mercy, responds to David's plea and offers him the opportunity to redeem himself. The purchase of the threshing floor of Araunah, which would become the site of the future Temple, is a powerful symbol of redemption through sacrifice. David's Intercession and Divine Grace David, as an intercessor, turns to God for the people, imploring His grace in the midst of judgment. This exemplary behavior reminds us of our call to pray not only for ourselves, but also for those around us, seeking divine mercy in times of crisis.

Enlightening Bible Passages

To better understand the timeless principles of this powerful chapter, let's examine five biblical passages that shed light on our reflection:

As we meditate on these verses, we are invited to reflect on our own lives and how we respond to God's call. May our hearts be open to repentance and mercy, like David, so that we may build our lives on the solid foundations of faith.