1 Chronicles 21:8
“And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David, witnessing the plague, immediately repents and confesses his sin to God, asking for forgiveness.
Context
David, upon seeing the plague strike Israel, speaks directly to God. He does not wait for a prophet's word or seek justification; he confesses to God himself.
What Does 1 Chronicles 21:8 Mean?
The plague is David's mirror. Seeing the judgment fall upon his people, he finally recognizes what his pride wrought. He turns to God directly, not to a counselor or prophet, but in immediate confession. 'I have sinned greatly' is unambiguous. He does not hedge or qualify; he calls it what it is. He acknowledges both the specific transgression ('because I have done this thing,' the census) and the underlying error ('I have done very foolishly,' revealing the foolishness of the act itself). His plea is simple: 'do away the iniquity of thy servant.' He asks God to remove the guilt, to lift the consequence.
What is remarkable is the swiftness of David's repentance. Unlike some biblical figures who harden their hearts against judgment, David sees the plague and turns immediately. This shows the depth of his love for God beneath his pride. Even though he has yielded to temptation and brought judgment, his fundamental covenant with the Most High is not severed. He knows the way back is through confession and plea. His foolishness, once acknowledged, opens the door to mercy.
In the Original Language
foolishly (sakahl), 'to act foolishly, without understanding' -- David admits that his desire to number Israel was not merely sinful but fundamentally irrational, a lack of discernment
Application
The speed of repentance matters. When we recognize our error, the sooner we turn and confess, the sooner we can begin to receive God's restoration. Pride often makes confession slow, but David models the opposite: he sees the consequence and immediately returns. That humility, that readiness to name our foolishness, is where healing begins.