1 Chronicles 21: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Chronicles 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Satan stood against Israel and moved David to take a census (vv. 1-2). Joab, David’s commander, warned him against this action, saying it would cause guilt (vv.

Key verse

“David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”
1 Chronicles 21:8 (WEB)

Outline

1 Chronicles 21:1–2 Satan's Influence on David
1 Chronicles 21:3–6 Joab's Warning Ignored
1 Chronicles 21:7–8 God's Displeasure and David's Confession
1 Chronicles 21:9–13 Choices of Punishment
1 Chronicles 21:14–17 Pestilence and David's Plea
1 Chronicles 21:18–21 Building the Altar
1 Chronicles 21:22–30 David's Sacrifice and God's Response

Discussion questions

In v3, why does Joab question David's command about the census?
In v14, what is the outcome of the pestilence that God sends on Israel?
David's plea in v17: how does he shift blame from the people to himself?
In v24, why does David insist on paying Ornan for the threshing floor?
When has a decision caused you to seek forgiveness and atonement like David did in v8?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 21: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Kings 18, 1 Chronicles 27.

Before next time: read 1 Chronicles 22.