Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 24:1

"And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah." — 2 Samuel 24:1 (ASV)

And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel - This sentence is the heading for the entire chapter, which describes the sin that kindled this anger: the numbering of the people (1 Chronicles 21:7–8; 1 Chronicles 27:24). There is no indication of time, except that the word “again” shows that these events happened after those in 2 Samuel 21. (Compare also 2 Samuel 24:25 and 2 Samuel 21:14.)

And he moved David - In 1 Chronicles 21:1, the statement is that “an adversary... stood up against Israel and moved David.” The word is “an adversary” (not “Satan,” as in the King James Version) because the definite article is not used, as it is in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1. In the same way, 1 Kings 11:14, 11:23, and 11:25 describe first Hadad and then Rezon as “an adversary” to Solomon and to Israel. Therefore, our text should be rendered, “For one moved David against them.” We are not told whose advice it was, but someone, who proved to be an enemy to the best interests of David and Israel, urged the king to number the people.