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 reported to the king the total number of the troops.Joab, the commander of David's army, plays a crucial role in this narrative. His report to King David follows a census that David ordered, which was against God's will. This act of counting the troops reflects a reliance on military strength rather than on God. Joab's reluctance to carry out the census (as seen earlier in the chapter) indicates his awareness of its potential consequences. The act of reporting the numbers signifies the completion of a task that was both politically and spiritually significant, highlighting the tension between human authority and divine command. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword,
The mention of "men of valor" emphasizes the military capability and readiness of the troops. The number 800,000 represents the fighting men from the northern tribes of Israel. This large number indicates the strength and potential of Israel's army, yet it also serves as a reminder of the temptation to trust in human power rather than in God. The phrase "who drew the sword" underscores their preparedness for battle, a common biblical metaphor for military readiness. This census contrasts with earlier biblical narratives where God delivered Israel with far fewer numbers, such as Gideon's 300 men in Judges 7. and in Judah there were 500,000.
Judah, the southern kingdom, is counted separately, reflecting the division that would later become more pronounced in Israel's history. The 500,000 men of Judah highlight the significant military force of David's own tribe and region. This separation of numbers between Israel and Judah foreshadows the eventual split of the united monarchy after Solomon's reign. The emphasis on Judah also points to the Messianic lineage, as Jesus Christ is prophesied to come from the tribe of Judah, fulfilling the promise of a ruler from David's line. The census, while demonstrating human strength, ultimately sets the stage for God's judgment and mercy, as seen in the subsequent verses. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoabThe commander of King David's army, tasked with conducting the census of Israel and Judah. 2. King DavidThe ruler of Israel who ordered the census, an action that later brought consequences. 3. IsraelThe northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, where 800,000 valiant men were counted. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom, consisting of two tribes, where 500,000 valiant men were counted. 5. The CensusAn event initiated by King David, which was seen as an act of pride and lack of trust in God. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionDavid's census reflects a reliance on human strength rather than God's provision. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ability to provide and protect. The Consequences of PrideThe census was an act of pride, leading to severe consequences. Pride can lead to actions that distance us from God's will. Obedience to God's CommandsThe failure to conduct the census according to God's instructions serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's Word. Repentance and RestorationDavid's eventual repentance shows the path to restoration. Believers should be quick to repent and seek God's forgiveness when they err. The Role of LeadershipLeaders bear responsibility for their actions and decisions. David's decision affected the entire nation, highlighting the weight of leadership. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated David to conduct the census, and how can we guard against similar motivations in our lives? 2. How does the account of the census in 2 Samuel 24 compare with the instructions given in Exodus 30:12, and what lessons can we learn about obedience? 3. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives, and how can we cultivate humility and reliance on God? 4. How does David's response to the consequences of the census inform our understanding of repentance and God's mercy? 5. What responsibilities do leaders have in ensuring their decisions align with God's will, and how can we support our leaders in prayer and accountability? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 21This parallel account provides additional details about the census and its consequences, including the role of Satan in inciting David. Exodus 30:12This verse outlines the proper way to conduct a census, emphasizing the need for a ransom to avoid a plague, highlighting David's failure to follow God's instructions. Psalm 20:7This verse contrasts trust in military might with trust in the Lord, reflecting the spiritual lesson from David's census. Proverbs 3:5-6Encourages trust in the Lord rather than one's own understanding, a principle David neglected during the census. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Able, Able-bodied, Account, Arms, Drawing, Drew, Eight, Fighting, Giveth, Handle, Hundred, Inspection, Joab, Jo'ab, Judah, Numbering, Presented, Registration, Reported, Sum, Sword, Thousand, Valiant, ValourDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:9 5572 sword
7266 tribes of Israel 2 Samuel 24:1-9 5249 census 2 Samuel 24:1-16 7236 Israel, united kingdom 2 Samuel 24:1-17 5087 David, reign of Library The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of DavidThe Universal Chorus
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that stteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. M en have generally agreed to dignify their presumptuous and arrogant ^* disquisitions on the works and ways of God, with the name of wisdom ; though the principles upon which they proceed, and the conclusions which they draw from …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 24:9 NIV2 Samuel 24:9 NLT2 Samuel 24:9 ESV2 Samuel 24:9 NASB2 Samuel 24:9 KJV
2 Samuel 24:9 Commentaries
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