1 Chronicles 21:30

Verse

but David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

But David could not go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Jehovah.

But David was not able to go before it to get directions from the Lord, so great was his fear of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And David could not go to the altar there to pray to God: for he was seized with an exceeding great fear, seeing the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Free Bible Version

But David did not want to go there to ask God's will, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599

And Dauid could not go before it to aske counsel at God: for he was afraide of the sworde of the Angel of the Lord.)

King James (Authorized) Version

But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

Translation for Translators

But David did not want to go there to request God to tell him what he wanted him to do, because he was afraid that the angel sent from Yahweh might strike him with his sword.

Unlocked Literal Bible

However, David could not go there to ask for God's direction, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

But David could not go before it to inquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

World English Bible

But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid because of the sword of Yahweh’s angel.

Young's Literal Translation

and David is not able to go before it to seek God, for he hath been afraid because of the sword of the messenger of Jehovah.

Context

David Builds an Altar

²⁹For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in Gibeon,³⁰but David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

Summary

In this verse, King David expresses deep remorse and humility after realizing the consequences of his sin in conducting a census against God's will. He acknowledges his guilt and takes responsibility for his actions, recognizing that he has sinned greatly before the Lord. David's repentant attitude sets an example for believers to confess their sins and seek forgiveness from God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of genuine repentance and humility before the Lord, showing that even great leaders like David are not exempt from the need for God's mercy and grace.

Commentary

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Because of the sword of the angel - This is given as a reason why David built an altar in the threshing-floor of Ornan: he was afraid to go to Gibeon, because of the sword of the destroying angel, or he was afraid of delaying the offerings so long as his going thither would require, lest the destroying angel should in the mean while exterminate the people; therefore he hastily built an altar in that place, and on it made the requisite offerings, and by the fire from heaven God showed that he had accepted his act and his devotion. Such interventions as these must necessarily maintain in the minds of the people a full persuasion of the truth and Divine origin of their religion. For a more circumstantial account of these transactions, see the notes on Sa2 24:1, Ac., in which several difficulties of the text are removed.