1-chronicles 21:30

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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.

American King James Version (AKJV)

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.

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

Basic English Translation (BBE)

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.

Webster's Revision

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 the angel of Yahweh.

English Revised Version (ERV)

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.

Definitions for 1-chronicles 21:30

Angel - Messenger.

Clarke's 1-chronicles 21:30 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 2 Samuel 24:1, Ac., in which several difficulties of the text are removed.

Barnes's 1-chronicles 21:30 Bible Commentary

David, knowing that by sacrifice on this altar he had caused the angel to stay his hand, was afraid to transfer his offerings elsewhere, lest the Angel should resume his task and pestilence again break out.

Wesley's 1-chronicles 21:30 Bible Commentary

21:30 Afraid - When he saw the angel stand with his drawn sword over Jerusalem, he durst not go away to Gibeon, lest the angel in themean time should destroy Jerusalem: for the prevention whereof hethought it proper to worship God in that place, which he had consecratedby his special presence and acceptance.