Again the LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Stirred up, and so forth This stirring up, was not the doing of God, but of satan; as it is expressly declared, 1 Chron. 21:1. Challoner.—David was moved by vanity, and so forth thus to displease God.—Among. Hebrew “against;” as the king could have done nothing more prejudicial to his people, 70,000 of whom perished on this occasion, verse 15. Bible.—We might also translate, “The anger of the Lord continued against Israel: for David, for their misfortune, was moved to say, Go,” and so forth as this would obviate the harshness of the expression. Calmet.—However, as it is the same in the Septuagint and so forth and as similar words do not prove that God is the author of sin, we may explain this in the same sense, allowing that he suffered the evil to take place, knowing how to draw good out of it. Saint Augustine and so forth Bible.—Some take this Satan to be an evil counsellor. Calmet.—The devil may be styled “the fury of God?” as he is his creature, though rebellious. Worthington.