1 Chronicles 21:3-4

21:3 Joab replied, “May the Lord make his army 1  a hundred times larger! My master, O king, do not all of them serve my master? Why does my master want to do this? Why bring judgment on Israel?” 2 

21:4 But the king’s edict stood, despite Joab’s objections. 3  So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel before returning to Jerusalem. 4 

1 tn Or “people.”

2 tn Heb “Why should it become guilt for Israel?” David’s decision betrays an underlying trust in his own strength rather than in divine provision. See also 1 Chr 27:23-24.

3 tn Heb “and the word of the king was stronger than Joab.”

4 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.