2 Samuel 24:4

4 But the word of the king prevailed over Joab and over the commanders of the army, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out from before the king to count the people 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 The king said to Joab, the commander of the army who [was] with him: "Please go about through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people that I may know the number of the people."

3 Then Joab said to the king, "May Yahweh your God increase the people a hundred times {what they are} as the eyes of my lord the king are seeing. But my lord the king, why does he desire this thing?"

4 But the word of the king prevailed over Joab and over the commanders of the army, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out from before the king to count the people of Israel.

5 They crossed over the Jordan and camped at Aroer to the south of the city, which [was] in the middle of the wadi of Gad, and up to Jazer.

6 Then they went to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi. They came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon