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1 Chronicles 21:3

Joab

1 Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

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.”

But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.

5 And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

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BSB
But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
KJV
And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
WEB
Joab said, “May the LORD make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”
ASV
And Joab said, Jehovah make his people a hundred times as many as they are: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord`s servants? why doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of guilt unto Israel?
DARBY
And Joab said, Jehovah add to his people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold: are they not all, my lord O king, my lord's servants? why does my lord require this thing? why should he become a trespass to Israel?
BLB
And Joab answered, “May YHWH add to His people as they [are] a hundred times. Are [they] not, my lord O king, all of them for my lord as servants? Why does my lord require this? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?”
ÅB
Da sa Joab: Herren legge hundre ganger så mange til sitt folk som de er nå! Er de ikke, herre konge, alle sammen min herres tjenere? Hvorfor krever min herre dette? Hvorfor skal det bli til skyld for Israel?
OTB
Men Joab sa:
"Måtte Herren legge til sitt folk hundre ganger så mange som de er!
Men, min herre kongen, er de ikke alle min herres tjenere?
Hvorfor søker min herre dette?
Hvorfor skulle han bringe skyld over Israel?"
B1930
Da sa Joab: Herren legge hundre ganger så mange til sitt folk som de er nu! Er de ikke, herre konge, alle sammen min herres tjenere? Hvorfor krever min herre dette? Hvorfor skal det bli til skyld for Israel?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 1:11

    May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.

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  • Genesis 20:9

    Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 14:28

    A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 2:24

    No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 26:15

    You have enlarged the nation, O LORD; You have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for Yourself; You have extended all the borders of the land.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 48:19

    Your descendants would have been as countless as the sand, and your offspring as numerous as its grains; their name would never be cut off or eliminated from My presence.”

    Read in context

  • Exodus 32:21

    “What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”

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  • 1 Chronicles 19:13

    Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

    Read in context