1 Chronicles 21:2

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].

And David {H1732} said {H559} to Joab {H3097} and to the rulers {H8269} of the people {H5971}, Go {H3212}, number {H5608} Israel {H3478} from Beersheba {H884} even to Dan {H1835}; and bring {H935} the number {H4557} of them to me, that I may know {H3045} it.

David said to Yo'av and the leaders of the people, "Go, take a census of Isra'el from Be'er-Sheva to Dan; then report to me, so that I can know how many of them there are."

So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

And David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them.

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21:2 (KJV)

This verse marks the beginning of a pivotal and unfortunate episode in King David's reign, where he commands a census of Israel. It sets the stage for a significant act of disobedience that brings severe consequences upon the nation.

Context

King David, at the height of his power and prosperity, issues a command to his military commander, Joab, and the other 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]." This geographical span, from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north, signifies a census of the entire kingdom. While numbering the people was not inherently sinful (as seen in the book of Numbers for military or administrative purposes), the parallel account in 2 Samuel 24:1 indicates that God's anger was kindled against Israel, and David was "moved" by an adversary to undertake this census. The sin lay not in the act of counting itself, but in David's underlying motivation, which was likely pride, a desire to rely on his own strength and military might rather than on God's divine protection and provision.

Key Themes

  • Human Pride vs. Divine Trust: David's command reveals a desire to quantify his military strength, suggesting a reliance on human resources rather than an unwavering trust in God. This contrasts sharply with teachings to trust in the Lord rather than chariots or horses.
  • The Nature of Sin and Motivation: The act of numbering was a manifestation of a deeper spiritual issue—David's heart was not fully aligned with God's will. Even Joab, David's seasoned general, recognized the potential for sin in this command, as seen in 1 Chronicles 21:3.
  • Leadership Accountability: This narrative powerfully illustrates that even a king, chosen by God, is accountable for his actions and motivations before the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "number" (סָפַר - sāpar) simply means to count or recount. The phrase "that I may know [it]" (וְאֵדְעָה - wəʾēḏəʿâ) emphasizes David's personal desire for this information, suggesting a focus on his own power and knowledge rather than God's sovereignty. The sin was not in the numerical data itself, but in the spirit of self-reliance and pride that prompted its collection.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder for us to examine our own motivations. Are our actions, even those that seem neutral or beneficial, rooted in a desire for self-glory, human approval, or reliance on our own abilities? Or do they spring from a humble trust in God's provision and a desire to honor Him? David's census underscores the danger of pride and the importance of continually seeking God's will, recognizing that true strength comes from Him alone.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:23

    But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:24

    Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

  • Proverbs 29:23

    ¶ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

  • Deuteronomy 8:13

    And [when] thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

  • Deuteronomy 8:17

    And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7

    And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

  • 1 Kings 4:25

    And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
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