2 Samuel 24:17

24:17 When he saw the angel who was destroying the people, David said to the Lord, “Look, it is I who have sinned and done this evil thing! As for these sheep – what have they done? Attack me and my family.” ¹ 

2 Samuel 24:1

David Displeases the Lord by Taking a Census

24:1 The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.” ² 

1 Tawarikh 21:17

21:17 David said to God, “Was I not the one who decided to number the army? I am the one who sinned and committed this awful deed! ³  As for these sheep – what have they done? O Lord my God, attack me and my family, ⁴  but remove the plague from your people!” ⁵ 

[24:17]  ¹ tn Heb “let your hand be against me and against the house of my father.”

[24:1]  ² sn The parallel text in 1 Chr 21:1 says, “An adversary opposed Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had.” The Samuel version gives an underlying theological perspective, while the Chronicler simply describes what happened from a human perspective. The adversary in 1 Chr 21:1 is likely a human enemy, probably a nearby nation whose hostility against Israel pressured David into numbering the people so he could assess his military strength. See the note at 1 Chr 21:1.

[21:17]  ³ tn “and doing evil I did evil.” The infinitive absolute precedes the finite form of the verb for emphasis.

[21:17]  ⁴ tn Heb “let your hand be on me and on the house of my father.”

[21:17]  ⁵ tn Heb “but on your people not for a plague.”