Chronicles I 21:30

30 And David could not go before it to enquire of God; for he hasted not because of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Chronicles I 21:30 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 21:30

But David could not go before it to inquire of God
Which yet was the proper place to seek the Lord in: the reason follows,

for he was afraid, because of the sword of the angel of the Lord;
which had so terrified him, that he was so weak that he could not go; and he feared that, should he attempt to go, while he was going thither, at such a distance, the angel would make a terrible slaughter in Jerusalem, and therefore he durst not go and leave it; and besides, as the Lord had commanded him to build an altar there, he might fear it would displease him, should he depart from it; and the rather, as hereby he pointed out to him the place where the temple should be built, and sacrifices offered, as appears from what he says in the beginning of the next chapter.

Chronicles I 21:30 In-Context

28 At that time when David saw that the Lord answered him in the threshing-floor of Orna the Jebusite, he also sacrificed there.

29 And the tabernacle of the Lord which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of whole-burnt-offerings, at that time in the high place at Gabaon.

30 And David could not go before it to enquire of God; for he hasted not because of the sword of the angel of the Lord.