2 Samuel 24:4

But the king commanded Joab and his officers to do it. So they left the king and went out to count the people of Israel.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

In Context

3But Joab replied to the king, “Your Majesty, I wish/desire that Yahweh our God will cause there to be 100 times as many people in Israel as there are now, and I wish/desire that you would see that happen before you die. But why do you want us to do this?”

5They crossed the Jordan River and set up their tents south of Aroer town, in the middle of the valley, in the territory that was given to the tribe of Gad. From there they went north to Jazer city

Read all of 2 Samuel 24

Cross References

Exodus 30:12“When your leaders ◄take a census of/count► the Israeli people, each man who is counted must pay to me a price to save his life. They must do this in order that no disaster will happen to them while the people are being counted.

Ecclesiastes 8:4We need to obey what the king says more than we need to obey what anyone else says; no one can say to the king, “◄Why are you doing that?/You should not be doing that.► [RHQ]”

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 24:2-10

The People Numbered. ( b. c. 1017.) 1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. 2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. 3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Samuel 24:4