1 Chronicles 21:1-6

David’s Military Census

1 Then Satan ^[a] rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. ¹

2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

3 But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.

5 And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.

1 Chronicles 21:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 21

Excepting the three last verses, is contained in 2Sa 24:1-25 with some few variations, which are there observed; see the notes there. 18894-950102-2025-1Ch21.2

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 30:11–16; 2 Samuel 24:1–9)

Footnotes

• [a] That is, the Accuser or the Adversary