(16) This verse is not read in Samuel, which, however, mentions the essential fact that David "saw the angel that smote the people" (2Samuel 24:17). There is nothing in the style to suggest suspicion of a later hand; and it is as likely that the compiler of Samuel has abridged the original account as that the chronicler has embellished it.

Having a drawn sword in his hand.--Comp. Numbers 22:23, where the same phrase occurs. Literally, and his sword drawn in his hand.

Stretched out.--See Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 9:12, &c., for this term so used of the menace of Divine wrath.

Then David and the elders.--Literally, and David fell, and the elders, covered with the sackcloth. on their faces. The elders have not been mentioned before, but wherever the king went he would naturally be accompanied by a retinue of nobles, and their presence on this occasion agrees with the statement of 2Samuel 24:20, that Araunah saw the king and his servants coming towards him. (See 1Chronicles 21:21, below.)

Fell upon their faces.--See Numbers 22:31; Joshua 5:14; Judges 13:20.

Clothed in sackcloth.--The garb of mourners and penitents.

Verses 16, 17. - These verses offer instances, especially the former, of the shorter narratives not being with Chronicles, but with Samuel And the longer narrative being with Chronicles is found uniformly in the cases in which reference is had, whether more or less directly, to the ecclesiastical or permanent institution of the Israelites.

21:1-30 David's numbering the people. - No mention is made in this book of David's sin in the matter of Uriah, neither of the troubles that followed it: they had no needful connexion with the subjects here noted. But David's sin, in numbering the people, is related: in the atonement made for that sin, there was notice of the place on which the temple should be built. The command to David to build an altar, was a blessed token of reconciliation. God testified his acceptance of David's offerings on this altar. Thus Christ was made sin, and a curse for us; it pleased the Lord to bruise him, that through him, God might be to us, not a consuming Fire, but a reconciled God. It is good to continue attendance on those ordinances in which we have experienced the tokens of God's presence, and have found that he is with us of a truth. Here God graciously met me, therefore I will still expect to meet him.See Chapter Introduction