This verse from 1 Chronicles 21:30 is a direct consequence of David's sin in numbering the people of Israel. Let's break down the verse and understand its meaning:
"But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God": This refers to the altar of burnt offering that was located at Gibeon. This altar was a significant place for seeking God's guidance and forgiveness. David normally would go to this altar to pray and seek Yahweh's direction. However, due to the current circumstances, David was unable to approach God.
"for he was afraid because of the sword of Yahweh’s angel": The sword of Yahweh's angel represents God's wrath and judgment. An angel of the Lord had been sent to inflict a plague on Israel as punishment for David's sin of taking a census. David saw the angel standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword, ready to destroy Jerusalem. This sight filled him with terror and a sense of his own unworthiness to approach God at the altar.
In essence, the verse means:
David was so terrified by the visible manifestation of God's judgment (the angel with the drawn sword) that he was unable to approach the altar at Gibeon to seek God's forgiveness or guidance. He felt unworthy and afraid to face God because of his sin and the impending doom it had brought upon Israel.
Context is Key:
To fully understand this verse, consider the preceding events:
1. David's Sin: David, prompted by pride or political ambition, ordered a census of the people of Israel. This was seen as a sign of distrust in God's power and provision, and as an attempt to rely on human strength rather than divine favor.
2. God's Punishment: God sent a plague upon Israel, resulting in many deaths.
3. David's Confession: David recognized his sin and pleaded with God to take the punishment upon himself rather than the people.
4. Angel's Appearance: An angel of the Lord was seen standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword, ready to destroy Jerusalem.
Therefore, 1 Chronicles 21:30 depicts David's state of fear and unworthiness in the face of God's wrath, preventing him from seeking God's intervention at the altar. It highlights the gravity of David's sin and the immediate consequences of divine judgment.
This verse from 1 Chronicles 21:30 is a direct consequence of David's sin in numbering the people of Israel. Let's break down the verse and understand its meaning:
"But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God": This refers to the altar of burnt offering that was located at Gibeon. This altar was a significant place for seeking God's guidance and forgiveness. David normally would go to this altar to pray and seek Yahweh's direction. However, due to the current circumstances, David was unable to approach God.
"for he was afraid because of the sword of Yahweh’s angel": The sword of Yahweh's angel represents God's wrath and judgment. An angel of the Lord had been sent to inflict a plague on Israel as punishment for David's sin of taking a census. David saw the angel standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword, ready to destroy Jerusalem. This sight filled him with terror and a sense of his own unworthiness to approach God at the altar.
In essence, the verse means:
David was so terrified by the visible manifestation of God's judgment (the angel with the drawn sword) that he was unable to approach the altar at Gibeon to seek God's forgiveness or guidance. He felt unworthy and afraid to face God because of his sin and the impending doom it had brought upon Israel.
Context is Key:
To fully understand this verse, consider the preceding events:
1. David's Sin: David, prompted by pride or political ambition, ordered a census of the people of Israel. This was seen as a sign of distrust in God's power and provision, and as an attempt to rely on human strength rather than divine favor.
2. God's Punishment: God sent a plague upon Israel, resulting in many deaths.
3. David's Confession: David recognized his sin and pleaded with God to take the punishment upon himself rather than the people.
4. Angel's Appearance: An angel of the Lord was seen standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword, ready to destroy Jerusalem.
Therefore, 1 Chronicles 21:30 depicts David's state of fear and unworthiness in the face of God's wrath, preventing him from seeking God's intervention at the altar. It highlights the gravity of David's sin and the immediate consequences of divine judgment.