30 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.

Other Translations of 1 Chronicles 21:30

New International Version

30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

English Standard Version

30 but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

The Message

30 But David, terrified by the angel's sword, wouldn't go there to pray to God anymore.

New King James Version

30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

New Living Translation

30 But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:30

Chapter Contents

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.