4
In spite of what Joab said, the king's word had more authority than Joab's word did. So Joab left and went all through Israel. Then he came back to Jerusalem.
5
Joab reported to David how many fighting men he had counted. In the whole land of Israel there were 1,100,000 men who could use a sword well. That included 470,000 men in Judah.
6
But Joab didn't include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin in the total number. The king's command was sickening to Joab.
7
It was also evil in the sight of God. So he punished Israel.
8
Then David said to God, "I committed a great sin when I counted Israel's men. I beg you to take away my guilt. I've done a very foolish thing."