1 Chronicles 21:8David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly."
The setting
Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. As reports of plague deaths pour in, David realizes his census has triggered disaster. He falls before God in desperate confession, knowing 70,000 deaths are on his conscience.
The emotion here: crushing guilt mixed with desperate hope in God's mercy
The original word
sakhalti (שָׂכַלְתִּי) — acted foolishly, from sakal meaning to be senseless or lacking wisdom
Why it matters
This is one of only three times David uses the phrase 'I have sinned greatly' - after adultery with Bathsheba, this census, and on his deathbed
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 21:8
David doesn't make excuses or blame Satan (who tempted him) - he takes full responsibility using the strongest Hebrew words for sin
Common misconceptionPeople think David is being overly dramatic, but 70,000 people died because of his pride - his confession matches the magnitude of destruction he caused.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Chronicles 21:8
Bible Genome reading
1 Chronicles 21:8 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Chronicles 21:8 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include repentance, confession. Notable phrases: I have sinned greatly; put away the iniquity. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Chronicles 21:8 mean to you, today?
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