Understanding the Adversary

Second Samuel 24:1 says, “Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited [sut] David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’” According to 1 Chronicles 21:1, “Satan rose up against Israel and incited [sut] David to take a census of Israel.” I will examine the use of the term satan in the Old Testament, some terminological connections with other passages, and finally suggest a possible way to harmonize these passages.