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David Sins by Numbering Israel

21 (A)Then Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “(B)Go, count Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their total count.” But Joab said, “(C)May Yahweh add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?” Nevertheless, the king’s word stood strong against Joab. So, Joab went out and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. And Joab gave the total count of the [a]census of the people to David. And (D)all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword. (E)But he did not [b]number Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s [c]command was abominable to Joab.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 21:5 Lit muster
  2. 1 Chronicles 21:6 Lit muster
  3. 1 Chronicles 21:6 Lit word

David’s census

21 A heavenly Adversary[a] arose against Israel and incited David to count Israel. So David told Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and take a census of the people so I know how many people there are.”

But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase his people a hundred times! Sir, aren’t you the king, and aren’t they all your servants? Why do you want to do this? Why bring guilt on Israel?”

But the king overruled Joab, who left and traveled throughout all Israel. When he returned to Jerusalem, he reported to David the total number: there were 1,100,000 men available for military service in all Israel, while Judah alone had 470,000. He didn’t include Levi and Benjamin among them, because Joab disagreed with the king’s order.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 21:1 Heb satan