Inquiry:
Who moved David to number the people of Israel? Was it God or Satan? 2 Samuel 24:1 says God did so, but 1 Chronicles 21:1 says it was Satan. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
God does not tempt any to do evil (James 1:13), but does permit Satan to tempt man (ie. Job 1:7-12). At times, when the Lord permits temptation to come upon an individual, He is described as doing what He has permited to ocur (ie. Exodus 7:13; Psalm 105:25).
On account of the Lord’s anger against Israel, He permitted Satan to tempt David, and Satan prevailed against him.
There is no contradiction.
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