2 Samuel 24:2

Translations

Modern

So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”

Traditional

For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

Literal

And the king said to Joab the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go now throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan and to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people.”

Latin

Dixitque rex ad Joab principem exercitus sui: Perambula omnes tribus Israël a Dan usque Bersabee, et numerate populum, ut sciam numerum ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”

Notes

2 Samuel 24:2

Dan and Beersheba were the traditional northern and southern boundaries of Israel. This phrase meant the entire land of Israel.

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

David Joab God or Satan?

Events

Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC

Related verses

2 Samuel 3:10
…to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
Judges 20:1
Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;
Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
1 Chronicles 21:2
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.”
2 Samuel 17:11
Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.
2 Corinthians 12:7
…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
2 Chronicles 32:31
And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
2 Samuel 8:16
Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
2 Samuel 23:37
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
2 Chronicles 32:25–26
But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Parallels

Exodus 30:11–16 1 Chronicles 21:1–6

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joab: Son of Zeruiah, commander of David's army

Places

Beersheba: Important city in southern Israel, associated with the patriarchs Dan: Israelite tribe; city in northern Israel; originally called Laish/Leshem

Glossary

Census David Disease Moriah Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: Enumeration of Israel's Military Forces Census: The Numbering of Israel by David Israel: Number of, when David Counted Presumption: David, in Numbering Israel Rulers: Wicked: David, Numbering Israel and Judah

2 Samuel 24:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?

People

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics