2 Samuel 24:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 24:9 records the culmination of King David's unauthorized and prideful census of Israel and Judah, detailing the final military count delivered by Joab: eight hundred thousand valiant men in Israel and five hundred thousand in Judah. This verse serves as a pivotal point, marking the completion of an act that provoked divine displeasure and immediately preceding the severe judgment that fell upon the nation, highlighting the dangerous consequences of human self-reliance over trust in God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the account of David's census, which began in [2 Samuel 24:1](/2_samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - The Lord Incites David to Take a Census"). The preceding verses detail the Lord's anger, David's command to Joab, Joab's initial resistance, and the nine-month and twenty-day journey of the census takers across the land ([2 Samuel 24:2-8](/2_samuel/24-2 "2 Samuel 24:2-8 - David's Census and Joab's Reluctance")). The immediate aftermath of this verse is David's conviction of sin ([2 Samuel 24:10](/2_samuel/24-10 "2 Samuel 24:10 - David's Remorse")), followed by the Lord's offer of three choices of judgment and David's subsequent choice of pestilence, which claims seventy thousand lives ([2 Samuel 24:11-15](/2_samuel/24-11 "2 Samuel 24:11-15 - God's Judgment on Israel")). The narrative then shifts to the Lord relenting from the judgment and David's building of an altar at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which becomes the site for the future temple ([2 Samuel 24:16-25](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16-25 - The Plague Ceases at Araunah's Threshing Floor")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, censuses were typically conducted for military conscription, taxation, or forced labor. While not inherently sinful, David's census in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and the Plague") is presented as an act of pride and a demonstration of reliance on human strength rather than divine provision. The parallel account in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David's Census") explicitly states that "Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel," indicating a spiritual dimension to David's transgression. This context highlights a common temptation for kings to boast in their armies and resources, a practice often condemned in the prophetic literature when it supplanted trust in Yahweh. The large numbers reported in the verse underscore the significant military potential of the united kingdom under David, making his sin of trusting in these numbers even more pronounced.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from this verse and its broader context include the **Consequences of Pride and Self-Reliance**, as David's trust in his military numbers rather than God's power leads to severe judgment. It also underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating that God holds kings accountable for their actions and will bring consequences for disobedience. Furthermore, the narrative contrasts **Human Strength versus God's Strength**, illustrating that true security and victory do not lie in the size of an army or human resources, but in unwavering faith and obedience to the Lord. This is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as seen in passages like [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord") and [Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "Proverbs 21:31 - Victory Belongs to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Valiant (Hebrew, _chayil_):** This Hebrew term (חַיִל) is rich in meaning, often translated as "strength," "wealth," "virtue," "ability," or "valor." In military contexts, as here, it specifically refers to men of military capability, prowess, and courage—those fit for battle. The use of "valiant" emphasizes the quality and readiness of the men David was counting, highlighting the impressive human resource he was cataloging, and by extension, the extent of his misplaced trust.
* **Drew the sword (Hebrew, _sheleph cherev_):** This phrase (שֶׁלֶף חֶרֶב) literally means "drawing of a sword" or "one who draws a sword." It is a common idiom to describe men who are active, ready for combat, and capable of fighting. It further reinforces the military nature of the census, specifying that these were not just men, but fighting men, prepared for war. This detail underscores the immediate military implications of David's census, which was likely intended to assess his kingdom's offensive and defensive capabilities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king:"** This clause signifies the completion of the census, a massive undertaking that spanned nearly ten months. Joab, despite his initial reluctance and clear understanding of the spiritual implications, ultimately fulfilled David's command. His action here represents the final, tangible outcome of David's prideful decision, setting the stage for the divine response.
* **"and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword;"** This provides the specific count for the northern kingdom (Israel), indicating a formidable military force. The term "valiant men that drew the sword" emphasizes their readiness for battle and military effectiveness. This large number underscores the human strength David was relying upon, a stark contrast to the divine strength that had always secured Israel's victories.
* **"and the men of Judah [were] five hundred thousand men."** This gives the count for the southern kingdom (Judah), David's tribal homeland. While slightly less than Israel, five hundred thousand still represents a substantial fighting force. The distinction between "Israel" and "Judah" reflects the lingering tribal divisions, even under a united monarchy, and highlights the comprehensive nature of the census across the entire kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Numerology** to convey significant meaning, with the large, precise figures of 800,000 and 500,000 serving to emphasize the vast human military potential David sought to quantify. This numerical emphasis creates a **Contrast** between human might and divine power, subtly highlighting the futility of relying on mere numbers when facing divine judgment. The completion of the census, marked by these figures, also functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the imminent divine judgment that will follow this act of pride, as the narrative immediately shifts to the consequences of David's sin. The very act of counting, in this context, becomes **Symbolism** for David's misplaced trust and a departure from the covenantal reliance on God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 24:9 stands as a stark reminder that true security and strength for God's people reside not in human resources, military might, or impressive statistics, but solely in the Lord. David's census, driven by a desire to quantify and boast in his kingdom's strength, was a profound act of distrust in God's ability to protect and provide. This transgression underscores the perennial human temptation to rely on visible, tangible assets rather than the invisible, omnipotent hand of God. The severe judgment that follows this census serves as a powerful theological statement about God's intolerance for pride and self-sufficiency among His chosen leaders and people. It teaches that even seemingly administrative acts can be deeply spiritual matters, revealing the heart's true object of trust.

* [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David to Take a Census")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 24:9, detailing the culmination of David's misguided census, serves as a profound cautionary tale for believers today. In a world that constantly encourages us to measure, quantify, and rely on our own resources—be it financial stability, professional achievements, social networks, or personal abilities—this passage calls us to a radical re-evaluation of where our true security lies. Like David, we can subtly shift our trust from God's unfailing providence to our own "numbers," whether they are bank balances, follower counts, or impressive résumés. This verse challenges us to examine the hidden motivations behind our pursuits and accomplishments, asking whether they are rooted in a humble reliance on God or a prideful desire for self-sufficiency and human recognition. It beckons us to cultivate a posture of constant dependence on the Lord, recognizing that all blessings, strengths, and successes ultimately flow from His gracious hand, and that true peace and security are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own "numbers" or resources rather than God's provision?**
* **How does the pursuit of security through human means subtly erode my trust in God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more consistent reliance on God in my daily life?**
* **How can I guard against pride in my achievements, remembering that all abilities and opportunities come from God?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's census a sin if other censuses were conducted in the Bible?**

Answer: While censuses were indeed conducted at other times in Israel's history (e.g., in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel") and [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census")), David's census in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and the Plague") was considered a sin primarily due to its underlying motivation and context. The text implies that the Lord's anger against Israel "incited" David, and the parallel account in [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David's Census") explicitly states that "Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to take a census." This indicates a spiritual dimension to the act. David's census was likely driven by pride, a desire to boast in his military strength, and a misplaced reliance on human numbers rather than on God's power and faithfulness. It showed a lack of trust in God as the true source of Israel's security and victory, a departure from the covenantal relationship where God alone was their defense. Unlike previous divinely commanded censuses for specific purposes (like organizing the army for a holy war or allocating land), David's census appears to have been an act of self-sufficiency, leading to divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 24:9, with its depiction of David's reliance on human military might and the subsequent divine judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who came not to be served by human armies but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Unlike David, who counted his valiant men, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, nor is it built on earthly power or numerical strength ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). He is the true Shepherd who does not need to count His sheep to prove His dominion or security, for He knows His own and they know Him ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - I Am the Good Shepherd")). The judgment that fell upon Israel for David's sin points to the greater judgment for humanity's sin, which Christ, the Lamb of God, bore on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our pride and self-reliance ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). In Christ, we find true security, not in our own strength or numbers, but in His finished work and the power of His resurrection, inviting us to trust fully in the King who conquered sin and death not with a sword, but with sacrificial love ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")).

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 27:23

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.