Sometimes when you read chronologically, you see things you would not otherwise see. Case in point from this morning's reading:

2 Samuel 24:1 says, "Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'"

1 Chronicles 21:1 says, "Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel."

Is this a contradiction? Or merely a paradox? I believe as in all cases, this is merely a paradox. But how can something be done by the Lord and by Satan? Aren't they at war?

I believe Martin Luther ably addressed this very issue:

God uses the devil and the evil angels. They, of course, desire to ruin everything; but God blocks them, unless a well-earned scourging is in order. God allows pestilence, war, or some other plague to come, that we may humble ourselves before him, fear him, hold to him, and call upon him. When God has accomplished these purposes through the scourge, then the good angels come again to perform their office. They bid the devil stop the pestilence, war, and famine. So the devil must serve us with the very thing with which he plans to injure us; for God is such a great Master that he is able to turn even the wickedness of the devil into good.

This numbering of Israel comes after the "sledgehammer to the stomach" section of David's life. The sin with Bathsheba. The violation of Tamar. The rebellion of Absalom. The insurrection of Sheba. Perhaps one of these or some secret sin or all of them as a whole moved God's anger against Israel. Whatever the cause, there is no need to question the inerrancy of Scripture.