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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-9

Here we have, I. The orders which David gave to Joab to number the people of Israel and Judah, 2 Sam. 24:1, 2. Two things here seem strange:?1. The sinfulness of this. What harm was there in it? Did not Moses twice number the people without any crime? Does not political arithmetic come in among the other policies of a prince? Should not the shepherd know the number of his sheep? Does not the Son of David know all his own by name? Might not he make good use of this calculation? What evil has he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5

And they passed over Jordan ,.... To take the number of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh first: and pitched in Aroer ; for it seems that Joab and the captains had the army with them, and the several captains under their command, partly to assist in numbering the people, and partly to keep them in awe, lest they should oppose them, not knowing what was the design of all this Aroer was a city given to the tribe of Gad, and rebuilt by them, Numbers 32:34 , on... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 24:5

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-9

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5

Aroer . There is some uncertainty as to the Aroer here meant. There is first a city of that name in the tribe of Gad facing Rabbah ( Joshua 13:25 ), and this is apparently the city meant; for it is said that "Joab and his men pitched in Aroer, on the south side of the city situated in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer." Now, Jazer is also in Gad, about seven miles west of Rabbah, and as Rabbah is on the extreme east of the Israelite territory towards Ammon, it would be a very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:5-10

( 1 Chronicles 21:5-8 ).—( THE ROYAL BED CHAMBER .) An, awakened conscience. The taking of the census occupied over nine months; and during this time David remained insensible to his sin, and waited for the result. At length the work was finished (about wheat harvest), and the number given to the king; but, whilst he looked at the definite proof of the nation's increase, and at first, perhaps, felt elated at the thought of commanding an army of mere than a million soldiers... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 24:5

Aroer - Aroer on the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:36 note). Aroer itself stood on the very edge of the precipitous cliff of the valley; and in the valley beneath, possibly in an island in the stream, stood another city which is here alluded to.River - Rather, “the valley” (margin). They passed from Aroer, northward to Gad, and so pitched at Jazer (see the marginal references), which is on the frontier of Gad and Reuben. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 24:5-7

2 Samuel 24:5-7. They passed over Jordan They went first into the eastern part of the country, and so by the northern coasts to the west, and then to the south. And pitched in Aroer These words seem to import, that they pitched their tents in the field, and thither summoned the neighbouring towns to come unto them: which was very troublesome, and at last proved intolerably grievous. And to the land of Tahtim-hodshi It is in vain to seek after this land, which is not mentioned in the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 24:1-25

The census and its outcome (24:1-25)Israel’s increasing power and prosperity under David may have given David and his people feelings of self-praise, as if they, and not God, had been the cause of this growth. God saw that the time had come to awaken Israel to this sin. Therefore, God allowed Satan to suggest to David that he take a census of the people. David’s pride in his growing nation was apparently what made the suggestion seem such a good idea, but God was going to use the event to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 24:5

right side : i.e. the south side, facing east. river of Gad = the river valley belonging to Gad, which was the Jabbok. read more

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