1 Chronicles 21:1-6

GOD’S WORD Translation

David Counts the People^(A)

21 Satan attempted to attack Israel by provoking David to count the Israelites. ² David said to Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba to Dan. Bring me ⌞the results⌟ so that I may know how many ⌞people⌟ there are.”

³ Joab responded, “May the Lord multiply his people a hundred times over. But, Your Majesty, aren’t they all your servants? Why are you trying to do this? Why do you wish to make Israel guilty of ⌞this⌟ sin?”

⁴ However, the king overruled Joab. So Joab left, went throughout Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. ⁵ Joab reported the census figures to David: In Israel there were 1,100,000 men who could serve in the army, and in Judah there were 470,000 who could serve in the army. ⁶ Joab didn’t include Levi and Benjamin in the number because he was disgusted with the king’s order.