2 Samuel 24:4

4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

2 Samuel 24:4 in Other Translations

4 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.

4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.

4 But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel.

4 Nevertheless, the king insisted, and so Joab and the army officers left the king to take a census of Israel.

4 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.

4 However, the king overruled Joab and the commanders of the army. So they left the king [in order] to count the people of Israel.

4 Yet the king's order prevailed over Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army left the king's presence to register the troops of Israel.

4 In spite of what Joab said, the king's word had more authority than the word of Joab and the army commanders did. So they left the king and went out to count the fighting men of Israel.

2 Samuel 24:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 24:4

Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and
against the captains of the host
Who it seems were of the same mind with Joab, and were against numbering the people, yet their arguments and remonstrances were of no avail with the king; he was determined it should be done, and laid his commands upon them to do it, which they were obliged to comply with:

and Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the
king, to number the people of Israel;
seeing him resolute and determined, they submitted, took his orders, and set out to execute them.

2 Samuel 24:4 In-Context

2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

5 After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer.

6 They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon.