THIS WEEK is another great example of why we're doing our Bible study in chronological order. The accounts of David's census and the resulting punishment by Yahweh make more sense when the versions in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles are compared side by side. The chronicler records that the idea to conduct the census, presumably not in accordance with the Law (see Exodus 30:11-16), was Satan's (or, more properly, the satan's).

Also: David begins to assemble materials to build the Temple on the spot where the Angel of Yahweh (i.e., Jesus) stayed his hand.