1 Chronicles 21:6

KJV

But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Levi {H3878} and Benjamin {H1144} counted {H6485} he not among {H8432} them: for the king's {H4428} word {H1697} was abominable {H8581} to Joab {H3097}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he didn't count Levi and Binyamin among them, because the king's order was hateful to Yo'av.

Berean Standard Bible

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.

American Standard Version

But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:6 provides a crucial detail in the narrative of King David's ill-fated census, specifically highlighting Joab's deliberate omission of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin from the count. This act underscores Joab's profound moral objection to David's command, which he perceived as an "abomination" – a deeply offensive and sinful act against God, reflecting a spiritual discernment that David himself momentarily lacked and foreshadowing the divine displeasure that would follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of David's census, which begins in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David to Number Israel") with Satan inciting David to number Israel, a parallel account to [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Punishment"). Immediately preceding this verse, David commands Joab to carry out the census, despite Joab's strong initial protest and warning that the act would bring guilt upon Israel ([1 Chronicles 21:3](/1_chronicles/21-3 "1 Chronicles 21:3 - Joab's Warning to David")). The verse itself describes Joab's partial fulfillment of the command, specifically his refusal to count Levi and Benjamin. The subsequent verses detail God's severe displeasure with David's action ([1 Chronicles 21:7](/1_chronicles/21-7 "1 Chronicles 21:7 - God's Displeasure with the Census")) and the devastating plague that follows as divine judgment ([1 Chronicles 21:14](/1_chronicles/21-14 "1 Chronicles 21:14 - The Plague on Israel")). Joab's partial disobedience thus serves as a pivotal point, illustrating the depth of the sin and setting the stage for the consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient censuses were typically conducted for military conscription, taxation, or labor organization. However, a census could also be an expression of a king's pride, relying on human strength and numbers rather than divine provision and protection. The tribe of Levi was uniquely set apart for priestly and temple service, exempt from military duty and therefore from military censuses, as stipulated in [Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - Levites Not Counted for Military Service"). Their exclusion by Joab was thus standard and appropriate. The exclusion of Benjamin, however, is notable and deliberate. Benjamin was a significant tribe, home to King Saul and strategically important. Joab's omission of Benjamin, along with Levi, indicates a conscious act of defiance or mitigation, reflecting his deep conviction that the king's command was fundamentally wrong. The term "abominable" (תועבה, *to'evah*) carries significant weight in Israelite culture, often referring to practices or actions that are morally repugnant and offensive to God, such as idolatry or certain sexual sins. Joab's use of this strong term underscores the gravity of David's sin from a spiritual perspective.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and the Plague") and the broader Chronicler's narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine displeasure with human pride and self-reliance**, as David's trust shifts from God to his own military strength. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of **moral conviction and wise counsel**, as Joab, despite his often ruthless character, demonstrates a spiritual sensitivity and attempts to dissuade David, and then to mitigate the sin. His partial disobedience serves as a silent protest against a command he knew to be an affront to God. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's sovereignty and judgment**, even amidst human error. Joab's incomplete census, whether an act of mercy or an unfinished task due to divine intervention, ultimately plays a role in the unfolding of God's judgment and subsequent redemption through the altar built on the threshing floor of Ornan ([1 Chronicles 21:18-28](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18-28 - The Altar on Ornan's Threshing Floor")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abominable (Hebrew, _to'evah'_):** This powerful Hebrew term (תּוֹעֵבָה) signifies something detestable, disgusting, or morally repugnant, particularly in the sight of God. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe practices strictly forbidden by God, such as idolatry ([Deuteronomy 7:25](/deuteronomy/7-25 "Deuteronomy 7:25 - Idols as Abominations")), sexual perversions ([Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Abominable Sexual Practices")), or unjust dealings ([Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales are an Abomination")). Joab's use of this word to describe the king's command reveals his profound moral and spiritual insight: he perceived David's census not merely as a tactical error or a lapse in judgment, but as a grave offense against divine principles, an act that violated God's honor and invited His wrath. His strong reaction underscores the severity of David's sin in the eyes of a discerning individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them:"** This clause details Joab's specific deviation from David's command. The tribe of Levi was traditionally exempt from military censuses due to their dedicated service to the tabernacle/temple ([Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - Levites Exempt from Military Census")). Their omission was therefore standard practice. However, the exclusion of Benjamin is highly significant. Benjamin was a full tribal unit, typically included in military counts. Joab's deliberate omission of Benjamin, the last tribe to be counted, suggests either that he stopped the census prematurely out of protest, or that he intentionally left them out as a partial act of defiance against a command he found morally reprehensible. This partial compliance highlights Joab's internal conflict and his attempt to mitigate the perceived sin, even as he ultimately obeyed David's overarching directive.
* **"for the king's word was abominable to Joab."** This explanatory clause provides the motivation for Joab's actions. The term "abominable" (תּוֹעֵבָה) signifies Joab's deep moral revulsion towards David's command. He understood that the census, likely driven by pride or a lack of faith in God's provision, was not merely a political misstep but a spiritual transgression. Joab, despite his reputation as a ruthless military commander, demonstrates a surprising spiritual discernment here, recognizing the act as something detestable to God. This phrase serves as a powerful indictment of David's decision, validating the gravity of the sin even before God's judgment is explicitly stated in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the juxtaposition of David's kingly authority and Joab's moral conviction; the king commands, but his loyal general finds the command "abominable," highlighting a spiritual disconnect. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as Joab's strong moral objection and partial non-compliance subtly hint at the severe divine judgment that will soon follow David's sin. The exclusion of Levi and Benjamin can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (these two tribes) represents the incomplete or flawed nature of the whole census, reflecting its inherent moral corruption. Finally, there is a degree of **Irony** in Joab, often portrayed as a pragmatic and even brutal figure, being the one to exhibit a profound spiritual sensitivity and moral compass that David, the man after God's own heart, momentarily lacks.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 21:6 powerfully illustrates the tension between human authority and divine will, emphasizing that even righteous leaders can err, and that true wisdom lies in discerning and adhering to God's principles above all else. Joab's "abominable" reaction serves as a theological warning against human pride and self-reliance, which can manifest as a desire to quantify and control rather than to trust in God's boundless power and provision. It underscores that actions deemed strategically sound by human standards can be spiritually offensive, inviting divine displeasure and judgment. The verse also implicitly highlights the value of prophetic or discerning counsel, even when it comes from an unexpected source like Joab, and the tragic consequences of ignoring such warnings.

* [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales are an Abomination")
* [Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - Levites Exempt from Military Census")
* [2 Samuel 24:3](/2_samuel/24-3 "2 Samuel 24:3 - Joab's Objection to David's Census")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse challenges us to cultivate a keen spiritual discernment, much like Joab's, that recognizes what is truly "abominable" in God's sight, even when it comes from respected authorities or seems pragmatically advantageous. It reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, and there are times when we must respectfully, yet firmly, resist commands or cultural norms that violate divine principles. Joab's partial resistance, while not a full rebellion, reflects a conscience burdened by the king's sin. For us, this means examining our motives, ensuring our actions are rooted in trust in God rather than pride in our own achievements or resources. It also encourages us to be wise counselors when we see others, especially those in leadership, straying from God's path, even if our counsel is initially rejected. The consequences of David's sin serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of heeding such warnings and aligning our will with God's.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "abominable" actions or attitudes, though perhaps socially acceptable or pragmatically appealing, might God consider offensive in my life or in the broader culture today?**
* **How sensitive is my conscience to what truly displeases God, especially when it comes from respected sources or is widely practiced?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my own resources or strength (like a census) rather than fully trusting in God's provision?**
* **When faced with a command or expectation that conflicts with my moral or spiritual convictions, how should I respond, balancing obedience to authority with faithfulness to God?**

### FAQ
**Why were Levi and Benjamin specifically excluded from the census?**

Answer: The exclusion of Levi was standard practice because the Levites were set apart for religious service and were exempt from military duties, as detailed in [Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - Levites Not Counted for Military Service"). Their role was spiritual, not military. The exclusion of Benjamin, however, was Joab's deliberate act of protest and partial non-compliance. While the exact reason isn't explicitly stated, it's widely understood that Joab, finding the census "abominable," intentionally left this tribe uncounted as a way to mitigate the sin or to express his profound moral objection to David's command. This suggests he either stopped the census before completing the last tribe or purposefully omitted them as a silent act of defiance against what he perceived as a grievous offense against God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:6, with Joab's profound moral objection to David's census, points forward to Christ in several significant ways. David's sin of relying on numbers rather than God's power foreshadows humanity's consistent failure to trust perfectly in God. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the perfect King who never relied on human strength or earthly armies, but always on the Father's will and power. He perfectly fulfilled the law and never commanded anything "abominable" to God. Furthermore, Joab's attempt to mitigate the sin by partially omitting the census, while well-intentioned, could not avert the divine judgment. This highlights the insufficiency of human efforts to atone for sin. Only Christ, the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), could bear the full weight of humanity's sin and pride. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous demands, offering true and complete atonement where human efforts like Joab's partial compliance fall short. Through Christ, we are counted not by human census for judgment, but by divine grace for eternal life, becoming part of a spiritual kingdom whose strength is found not in earthly numbers, but in the power of God's Spirit ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). He is the true King who leads His people in perfect trust and obedience, ensuring that no "abominable" act will ever mar His reign or His people's standing before God ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Numbers 1:47

¶ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

Numbers 1:49

Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

2 Samuel 11:15

And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

2 Samuel 11:21

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

2 Samuel 3:27

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 20:9

And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.