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2 Samuel 24:3

Joab

1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

2 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.”

But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to count the troops of Israel.

5 They crossed the Jordan and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer.

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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 to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”
KJV
And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
WEB
Joab said to the king, “Now may the LORD your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”
ASV
And Joab said unto the king, Now Jehovah thy God add unto the people, how many soever they may be, a hundredfold; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
DARBY
And Joab said to the king, May Jehovah thy God even add to the people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]; but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?
BLB
And Joab said to the king, “And YHWH your God may add to the people, as they [were] and as they [are] a hundred times, and the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]. And my lord the king, why does this thing delight?”
ÅB
Joab svarte: Herren din Gud legge hundre ganger så mange til dette folk som de er nå, så min herre kongen selv får se det! Men hvorfor har min herre kongen fått lyst til dette?
OTB
Men Joab sa til kongen: "Måtte Herren din Gud legge hundre ganger så mange til folket som de er nå, mens min herre kongens øyne ennå ser det; men hvorfor har min herre kongen behag i dette?"
B1930
Joab svarte: Herren din Gud legge hundre ganger så mange til dette folk som de er nu, så min herre kongen selv får se det! Men hvorfor har min herre kongen fått lyst til dette?

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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  • Psalms 115:14

    May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.

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  • Isaiah 60:5

    Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.

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  • Proverbs 14:28

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

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  • 2 Samuel 10:12

    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.”

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  • 1 Chronicles 21:3–4

    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?”

    Read in context