Something I noticed in the OT

[Arabesque]

Just so you know, I'm currently reading the New Living Translation, and was a bit confused on something. It's not really important, but it stuck out.

In 2 Samuel 24, my version states that the Lord's anger burned against Israel, so he caused David to perform a census on the people. Joab, his commander was reluctant, but did as David said. He counted 800,000 men of military age from Israel and 500,000 from Judah. No mention of the tribes of Benjamin or Levi.

Now...in 1 Chronicles 21, my version states that Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census. Joab counted 1,100,000 men of military age in Israel, and 470,000 in Judah. This time, it mentions that he did not include the tribes of Benjamin or Levi.

At first, I thought about the different numbers, but then I re-read both chapters. Does this basically mean that God "allowed" Satan to persuade David to take a census? After this, God gave David three choices as a punishment for disobeying him.

I know it's not really an important difference, but I was just wondering who it was that really caused David to do this.

Oh, and I didn't mean to imply that Satan is more powerful than God by making his name in bold letters, but I felt that it needed to stand out so you could see the difference.

I checked my other Bible (NKJV) and it states the same thing.

I realize that these 2 books were probably written by different people, so there's bound to be differences. But, am I just taking this too seriously?

Thanks!!

[EventHorizon]

I looked into this some a while ago. I found three differences that on the surface appear to be mistakes, but upon further study and thought, they do not. Let me explain.

1. differences in who gives the order for the census:
Satan orders the census. There is an incorrect use of the capital H in the NKJV. Here are the differences

NKJV 2 samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah."

KJV 2 samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

The he is Satan. That is why the translators of the KJV did not capitalize this word. We know God did not command the census because David states that because he took the census, he sinned greatly against the Lord. If God had ordered the census, it would not have been a sin. God allowed Satan to manipulate David much like he did with Job.

2. Differences in the numbers reported:

Not really a problem for us if we realize where the inspiration for the census came from, Satan. That is why the numbers in 2 samuel 24 and 1 chronicles 21 are different. The census was not ordered by God, therefore David did not receive the correct numbers and neither do we. The writers of the two accounts are given different numbers to report to reflect this fact. Without God's favor, all of man's projects are flawed.

3. Years of famine:

In 2 samuel 24, Gad tells David he has a choice of 7 years famine and in 1 chronicles 21 he tells him he can choose 3 years. In 2 samuel, it is stated earlier in the book that 3 years of famine have already existed. There is an unknown period of time between this famine and the declaration of the judgement. Plus there is the time period when the census is taken (nearly 10 months). That is why he says 7 in this chapter. It will be 7 TOTAL years. In 1 chronicles, this famine is not mentioned so the author only states the additional 3 years.

In both accounts, David chooses pestilence and in both accounts 70,000 men die. If these authors could be so accurate about so many things (i.e. very few differences), why would there be any doubt about these few things, especially since they can be so easily explained.

Praise GOD and give thanks for his infallible word :D