2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1 -- Jehovah or Satan Moved David?

And again the anger of Jehovah glowed against Israel, and moved David against them, to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. - (2 Samuel 24:1)

And Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. - (1 Chronicles 21:1, Green's Literal)

Many critics of the Bible often cite these two scriptures as being one of the alleged contradictions found in the Bible. In one scripture it says that Jehovah moved David to number the people of Israel and Judah; in the other scripture, we find that Satan moved David to number Israel.

From the scriptural perspective, both are correct. Satan cannot do anything that Jehovah does not permit, especially as related to His people. Thus, in permitting Satan to do this, it could be said that Jehovah moved David to number Israel. Similarly, in foretelling the "Man of Sin", Paul wrote that this Man of Sin comes "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thessalonians 2:9) But then he states: "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thessalonians 2:11) Even though it is Satan who is doing this, it is God who is permitting it.

But this brings up the point that God has made the Bible in such a way that those who are not seeking its truths will find what they seek in the Bible, so "that they should believe a lie". God is deliberately keeping the truths of the Bible from the world in this age. Of the unfaithful of Israel (in this case, Israel may understood to be a type of the false Christians, and also the world in general), we read: "Jehovah has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes. He has covered the prophets and your heads, the seers." - Isaiah 29:10, Green's Literal; see also: Acts 28:26,27; Romans 11:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

However, the present day delusion in Christendom and in the world is only temporary, for God has promised a day of judgment for the world, a thousand years during which “the earth will be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.” Then it will be said: “Look, this is our God. We have waited for him, and he will save us . . . . We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” — Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:9,10; 25:6-9; 40:5; 52:10: Jeremiah 31:34; Habakkuk 2:14.

In the “day” of the world’s judgment, the thousand-year reign of the Messiah, conditions will be in most respects the very reverse of what they are now. The present time is a dark night of sorrow, suffering, and death. (Psalm 30:5) That will be a righteous day, when “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” -- Isaiah 35:10.

A false theology has taught the people to dread the day of judgment, whereas the Scriptures speak of it as a gladsome time: “Oh worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, Jehovah reigns; and, The world shall be established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples in uprightness. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; then the trees of the forest shall rejoice before Jehovah; for He comes; for He comes to judge the earth; He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His faithfulness.” — Psalm 96:9-13, Green's Literal.

See our study:

Mankind's Course to the Day of Judgment

Nevertheless, once one gets the proper perspective, one can see that there is no contradiction in 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1.