Joab said unto the king - This very bad man saw that the measure now recommended by the king was a wrong one, and might be ruinous to the people, and therefore he remonstrates against it in a very sensible speech; but the king was infatuated, and would hear no reason. read more
And pitched in Aroer - This was beyond Jordan, on the river Arnon, in the tribe of Gad: hence it appears, says Calmet, that they began their census with the most eastern parts of the country beyond Jordan. read more
Tahtim-hodshi - Where this place was is not exactly known: some think that the words refer to a newly conquered country, as our margin, the nether land newly inhabited; and if so, this was probably the country eastward of Gilead, which the Israelites, in the time of Saul, had conquered from the Hagarites, and dwelt in themselves. See 1 Chronicles 5:10 , where this transaction is recorded. To Dan-jaan - Or, to Dan of the woods. This is the place so frequently mentioned, situated at... read more
The strong hold of Tyre - This must have been the old city of Tyre, which was built on the main land: the new city was built on a rock in the sea. read more
Nine months and twenty days - This was a considerable time; but they had much work to do, nor did they complete the work, as appears from 1 Chronicles 21:6 ; 1 Chronicles 27:24 . William the Conqueror made a survey of all England, particularizing "how many hides or carucates the land is taxed at; whose it was in the time of his predecessor Edward; who the present owners and sub-tenants; what and how much arable land, meadow, pasture, and wood there is, how much in demesne, i.e.,... read more
In Israel eight hundred thousand - the men of Judah were five hundred thousand - In the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 21:5 , the sums are widely different: in Israel one million one hundred thousand, in Judah four hundred and seventy thousand. Neither of these sums is too great, but they cannot be both correct; and which is the true number is difficult to say. The former seems the most likely; but more corruptions have taken place in the numbers of the historical... read more
EXPOSITION And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. It is probable that this chapter once stood in intimate connection with 2 Samuel 21:1-22 ; and that the famine therein described was followed by a pestilence, of which the blame largely rested upon David, though the sin punished by it was fully shared by the people. In saying that David was moved of Jehovah to number Israel and Judah, the writer acknowledges the great truth that all action, both good and evil, is... read more
( 1 Chronicles 21:1 , 1 Chronicles 21:2 ).—( JERUSALEM .) A sinful census. 1 . This census appears to have been ordered by David in one of the later years of his life. The word "again" ( 2 Samuel 24:1 ) indicates that it was subsequent to the famine ( 2 Samuel 21:1 , 2 Samuel 21:14 ; verse 25); and a measure that occupied Joab and the captains of the host nine months and twenty days could only have been accomplished during a time of settled peace, such as succeeded the... read more
The facts are: 1 . On account of some transgressions, God, being angry with Israel, permits some one to incite David to number the people. 2 . David, on issuing his commands to Joab, is met with a remonstrance from him and the captains of the host. 3 . But the king persisting in his desire, Joab and his officers and men apply themselves to the work, and at the end of nine months and twenty days return the number of men capable of serving in war at 1,300,000. The difficulties... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:1
He moved David against them - God could not be angry with David for numbering the people if he moved him to do it; but in the parallel place ( 1 Chronicles 21:1 ;) it is expressly said, Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. David, in all probability, slackening in his piety and confidence toward God, and meditating some extension of his dominions without the Divine counsel or command, was naturally curious to know whether the number of fighting men in... read more