24:1 he moved David. There is no real contradiction here with I Chronicles 21:1, which says that “Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” Satan can only do what God allows, as in the case of Job. In this case, Satan tempted David to commit sin, knowing that this would incur God’s judgment on Israel and hinder God’s plan of redemption. But God allowed Satan to do this because of David’s pride in his military might. Therefore, depending on viewpoint and emphasis, it would be correct to say either that God or Satan moved David to number the Israelites.