1 Chronicles 21 is the chapter where David’s pride brought a plague on Israel - and where his repentance purchased the ground that became Solomon’s Temple. Three choices. Seventy thousand dead. One king choosing to cast himself on God’s mercy rather than man’s.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

And Satan stood up against Israel And provoked David to number Israel

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people Go number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan And bring the number of them to me that I may know it But Joab said, May the Lord make his people A hundred times as many as they are

But the king’s word prevailed against Joab Joab departed and went throughout all Israel And came to Jerusalem And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people Unto David, and all Israel were one million one hundred thousand men

And David said to God, I have sinned Because I have done this thing Now I beseech you take away the iniquity of your servant For I have done very foolishly

David repented The sin was acknowledged The judgment came forth The plague descended

And the Lord spoke unto Gad David’s seer Saying, Go and tell David saying Thus says the Lord, I offer you three things Choose you one of them that I may do it unto you

So Gad came to David and said unto him Thus says the Lord, Choose you either three years of famine Or three months to be destroyed before your foes While the sword of your enemies overtakes you Or else three days the sword of the Lord even pestilence

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait Let me fall now into the hand of the Lord For very great are his mercies But let me not fall into the hand of man So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel And there fell of Israel seventy thousand men

David saw the angel of the Lord Standing between the earth and the heaven And he said to the angel, Is it not I that commanded The people to be numbered Let your hand, I pray, be against me

And David bought the threshing floor and the oxen For fifty shekels of silver and built an altar unto the Lord And offered burnt offerings and peace offerings And the Lord answered him from heaven by fire Upon the altar of burnt offering The plague stayed, the covenant was renewed

Listen

1 Chronicles 21 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press