2 Samuel 24:9

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah [were] five hundred thousand men.

And Joab {H3097} gave up {H5414} the sum {H4557} of the number {H4662} of the people {H5971} unto the king {H4428}: and there were in Israel {H3478} eight {H8083} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} valiant {H2428} men {H376}{H381} that drew {H8025} the sword {H2719}; and the men {H376} of Judah {H3063} were five {H2568} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} men {H376}.

Yo'av reported the results of the census to the king: there were in Isra'el 800,000 valiant men who could handle a sword, while the men of Y'hudah numbered 500,000.

And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000.

And Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 24:9

This verse marks the completion of King David's controversial census of Israel and Judah. Ordered by David, though instigated by the Lord's anger against Israel (2 Samuel 24:1), this act was a display of pride and a reliance on human military strength rather than divine providence. David's commander, Joab, initially resisted the king's command, recognizing its spiritual folly (2 Samuel 24:3), but ultimately complied, spending nine months and twenty days compiling the numbers.

The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 21:1 clarifies that "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel," highlighting the spiritual battle behind David's sin. This verse, 2 Samuel 24:9, presents the final count that Joab delivered to David, revealing the vast military potential of the united kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Consequences of Pride: David's desire to count his fighting men stemmed from a heart that, for a moment, leaned on its own might rather than God's power. This census was an act of self-reliance, a breach of trust in the Lord who had always granted Israel victory.
  • Divine Displeasure and Judgment: The Lord viewed this census as a grave sin, leading to severe judgment upon Israel. This underscores the seriousness of actions driven by human pride and a lack of faith.
  • Military Strength vs. God's Strength: The large numbers—eight hundred thousand valiant men in Israel and five hundred thousand in Judah—emphasize the considerable military power David had amassed. However, the narrative immediately shifts to the dire consequences, illustrating that true security lies not in numbers or human might, but in trusting in the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "valiant men that drew the sword" uses the Hebrew word chayil (חַיִל), which often translates to "strength," "wealth," "virtue," or "valor." Here, it specifically denotes men fit for military service, ready for battle. The emphasis on "valiant" highlights their readiness and prowess, further underscoring the human strength David was cataloging.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 24:9 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It cautions against misplaced trust and the dangers of relying on worldly resources, achievements, or human strength instead of God. Whether it's our financial security, career success, personal abilities, or even the size of our institutions, we can fall into the same trap as David. This verse encourages us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Are we truly trusting God for our provision and protection, or are we secretly relying on our own "numbers" or resources?
  • Cultivate Humility: Acknowledge that all blessings and strength come from God, and resist the temptation to take credit or find security in what we possess or achieve.
  • Prioritize God's Will: Seek to obey God's commands, even when they seem counter-intuitive or challenge our comfort zones, knowing that His ways are always best.

Ultimately, this verse, while detailing a moment of David's failure, points us back to the foundational truth that our hope and security must always be found in the Lord, not in the strength of man.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:5

    And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all [they of] Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:6

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

  • Numbers 1:44

    ¶ These [are] those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, [being] twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.

  • Numbers 1:46

    Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
← Back