1
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2
And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it."
3
And Joab answered, "The LORD make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then doth my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?"
4
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5
And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men who drew the sword.
6
But Levi and Benjamin he counted not among them, for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
7
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He smote Israel.