1 Chronicles 21:1-6

Common English Bible

David’s census

21 A heavenly Adversary^[a] arose against Israel and incited David to count Israel. ² 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.”

³ 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?”

⁴ But the king overruled Joab, who left and traveled throughout all Israel. When he returned to Jerusalem, ⁵ 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. ⁶ He didn’t include Levi and Benjamin among them, because Joab disagreed with the king’s order.