In Chronicles 1:21, why is it a sin to take a census?  mike moore   I don't see any reference to a census in 1 Chornicles 1;21, and there is no 2 Chronicles 1:21. The scripture to which Mike Moore is referring is 1 Chronicles 21:1, which reads, "And Satan proceeded to stand up against Israel and to incite David to number Israel." The wrong motive that David had was no doubt pride and trust in the number of his army instead of full reliance on God who could protect his people no matter how many the number of men in his army. Remember Gideon's 300 men against the 135,000 Midianites (Judges 7)...TJ