21:1 Satan (or the adversary) motivated David to take a census of his military forces (cp. 2 Sam 24:1). The Chronicler seems to interpret the narrative of Samuel in light of his theology of Satan as the adversary of God and humanity. As God allows Satan to work in the world, Satan unwittingly fulfills God’s purposes (cp. 2 Chr 18:3-34; Job 1:6–2:7; Zech 3:1-2; Matt 4:1-11; John 13:27; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Tim 1:20; Rev 20:3, 7-9).

21:26–22:1 The census and plague led up to the dedication of Araunah’s threshing floor as the site for the new sanctuary. Typically, offerings would have been made at Gibeon, where the Tabernacle was located (see 16:39; 21:29; 2 Chr 1:3). The halting of the plague at the threshing floor enabled David to make offerings there in accordance with the word he received through Gad the seer (1 Chr 21:18). David then designated the new location for the future Temple of the Lord God.