Satan incited David to number Israel, and despite Joab's warning that this would bring guilt upon Israel, David insisted, resulting in a census of 1,100,000 sword-bearing men in Israel and 470,000 in Judah (Levi and Benjamin excluded). God was displeased and struck Israel, then offered David a choice of three punishments through the prophet Gad: three years of famine, three months of military defeat, or three days of pestilence by the angel of the Lord. David chose to fall into God's hands rather than human hands, and seventy thousand died before the Lord relented at the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite, where David built an altar, purchased the site, and offered sacrifices that were answered by fire from heaven, establishing the future temple location.
Read 1 Chronicles Chapter 21 Summary
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Beersheba, meaning "Well of the Oath," was the southernmost major city of Israel. Abraham and Isaac both dug wells and made covenants here. It marked the traditional southern boundary of Israel in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba." Hagar wandered in its wilderness, and Elijah fled here.
The Tabernacle was the portable sanctuary that Israel built according to God's instructions at Mount Sinai. It served as God's dwelling place among His people during the wilderness wanderings and early settlement in Canaan. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the holy place.
The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
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David's kingdom established, the ark brought to Jerusalem, God's covenant with David.