1 Chronicles 21:7 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

God was displeased with this thing Because it was done without any colour of necessity, and out of mere curiosity and ostentation, as David's own conscience afterward told him, which therefore smote him, as is related 2 Samuel 24:10. Therefore he smote Israel As is particularly related in the following verses. Undoubtedly God did this because Israel concurred with David in the act of numbering the people, and approved of it, as well as because of all their other sins.