Chronicles I 27:23

23 But David took not their number from twenty years old and under: because the Lord said that he would multiply Israel as the stars of the heaven.

Chronicles I 27:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 27:23

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old
and under
Only those that were twenty years and upwards; but, according to Cornelius Bertram ^F11, he numbered them that were under twenty, though but sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of age, provided they were of robust bodies, and of a tall stature, and able to bear arms; which he takes to be the sin of David, in numbering the people, being contrary to the law of God; yet though he had ordered them to be numbered, and they were, yet he would not take them and put them into the account of his chronicles, as in the next verse, that his sin might not be known, see ( 2 Samuel 24:9 )

because the Lord had said, he would increase Israel like to the stars
in the heavens;
which are not to be numbered, and therefore David sinned in attempting to number the people.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Lucubrat. Franktall, c. 2.

Chronicles I 27:23 In-Context

21 for the half-tribe of Manasse in the land of Galaad, Jadai the son of Zadaeas, for the sons of Benjamin, Jasiel the son of Abenner:

22 for Dan, Azariel the son of Iroab: these the chiefs of the tribes of Israel.

23 But David took not their number from twenty years old and under: because the Lord said that he would multiply Israel as the stars of the heaven.

24 And Joab the son of Saruia began to number the people, and did not finish the work, for there was hereupon wrath on Israel; and the number was not recorded in the book of the chronicles of king David.

25 And over the king's treasures Asmoth the son of Odiel; and over the treasures in the country, and in the towns, and in the villages, and in the towers, Jonathan the son of Ozia.