Shmuel Bais 24:1-9

1 4 And again the Af Hashem was kindled against Yisroel, and He incited Dovid against them to say, Go, number Yisroel and Yehudah.
2 For HaMelech said to Yoav Sar HaChayil, who was with him, Go now through kol Shivtei Yisroel, from Dan even to Beer Sheva, and number ye HaAm, that I may know the Mispar HaAm.
3 And Yoav said unto HaMelech, Now Hashem Eloheicha add unto HaAm, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of adoni HaMelech may see it; but why doth adoni HaMelech delight in this thing?
4 Notwithstanding the devar HaMelech prevailed against Yoav, and against the Sarei HeChayil. And Yoav and the Sarei HaChayil went out from before HaMelech, to number HaAm Yisroel.
5 And they passed over Yarden, encamped in Aroer, on the south of the Ir that lieth in the middle of the ravine of Gad, toward Yazer;
6 Then they came to Gil‘ad, to Eretz Tachtim-Chodshi; they came to Dan-Ya’an, went around to Tzidon,
7 And came to the fortress of Tzor, and to all the cities of the Chivi, and of Kena’ani; and they went out to the Negev of Yehudah, to Beer Sheva.
8 So when they had gone through kol HaAretz, they came to Yerushalayim at the end of 9 months and 20 days.
9 And Yoav gave up the sum of the number of HaAm unto HaMelech; and there were in Yisroel Shmoneh Me’ot Elef ish chayil that drew the cherev; and the Ish Yehudah were chamesh Me’ot Elef ish.

Shmuel Bais 24:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 24

In this chapter an account is given of David's numbering of the people, 2Sa 24:1-9; of the sense he had of his sin, and of his acknowledgment of it; and of the Lord's displeasure at it, who sent the prophet Gad to him, to propose three things to him, one of which he was to choose as a punishment for it, 2Sa 24:10-13; when he chose the pestilence, which carried off a great number of the people, 2Sa 24:14-17; and David was directed to build an altar to the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite, with whom he agreed for it, and built one on it, and offered upon it, and so the plague was stayed, 2Sa 24:18-25.

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