Passage

David orders a count of Israel

Source and translation

World English Bible, Protestant Edition · Public domain · en

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¹Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:1World English Bible, Protestant Edition

The scene

The narrator says Satan stands against Israel and moves David to take a census.

To understand

David tells Joab and the leaders to count from Beersheba to Dan and report the number. Joab questions the demand and asks why it would bring guilt on Israel.

A question

What concern does Joab raise when David asks to know the number of the people?