2 Samuel 24:4

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.

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 commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”

3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”

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.

5 First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer,

6 then to Gilead in the land of Tahtim-hodshi and to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon.