Bible Commentaries

And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

And again the anger of the Lord. — Again, after the late three years’ famine for Saul’s sin, and the late slaughter of twenty thousand for rebelling with Absalom, this plague of pestilence is sent - as they seldom go sundered - for the injury done to Uriah - saith Rupertus - who is named in the last verse of the former chapter; but more likely it was for some general sin of the whole land; whether it were their recently revolting from David, or their putting too much confidence in their king and his worthies; or the abuse of their present peace and plenty; or whatever else, God was displeased, and David so far abandoned and left to himself, that he yielded to that satanical suggestion, which brought the people’s ruth and ruin.

And he moved David against them. — God did; Satan also did, 1 Chronicles 21:1 being let loose upon David for the purpose: like as the dog may be said to bait the beast; and the owner of the beasts that suffereth him to be baited. Non pugnant inter se, quum non sint adversa sed diversa, et quidem subalterna.

Go, number Israel and Judah. — This was the last act that he did before he took his bed. And some Hebrews say, that he was so grieved at the common calamity that followed upon his sin, and so terrified at the sight of the punishing angel, that thereupon he took his bed, and was so infirm, as 1 Kings 1:1 . It was not simply unlawful for him to number the people; but he did it out of curiosity and creature confidence. David - otherwise devoted to God’s holy fear Psalms 119:38 - had not now the fear of the Lord swaying in his soul, which teacheth to hate evil, even inward evils, such as lie in the bosom and bottom of the soul, as "pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way," Proverbs 8:13 those "spiritual wickednesses," and more immediate affronts offered to the Divine Majesty; with which God is more angry, than with a fleshly crime, though heinously seconded, such as was David’s sin in the matter of Uriah.

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For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which [was] with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

That I may know the number of the people. — As I have lately taken notice and made a catalogue of my worthies, and the forces under their command. This Augustus Caesar might do for his pleasure, and carry it away without punishment. Luke 2:1 Not so David. God will take that from others that he will not bear with in his own. Amos 3:2 The Philistines might cart the ark, but David smarted for so doing.

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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?

And Joab said. — His conscience told him that David did this out of curiosity and vainglory, whereof he foresaw the evil effects, 1 Chronicles 21:3 and therefore doth what he can to dissuade him. And lest David should suspect that he did it out of any disaffection to him, he wisheth an increase of the people’s numbers; and that David might see it to his great joy and comfort.

But why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? — q.d., Why art thou so set upon it, without any colour of cause, and merely for thy mind’s sake? A man that would consult with himself, could not but confess, that both himself and all men and means whereon he reposeth, are as much as nothing. But he doth with them as some folks do by dogs and monkeys; they know they be paltry carrion beasts, yet they set great store by them, and take great delight in them, for their mind’s sake only.

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Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed. — He would have his way contra gentes; and not be borne down, though by never so good reason. Sometimes both grace and wit are asleep in the holiest and wariest breasts. The best kings have been from time to time too sovereign, as the schoolman phraseth it.

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And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that [lieth] in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

And pitched in Aroer. — A city of the Gadites. Numbers 32:34 Here they pitched with their bands and troops, probably to overawe the people, who might be ill-willing and discontented at such an unnecessary trouble and charge, especially if poll-money were now required of them; which kind of taxation being here in England first granted to Edward III, became a precedent for the next reign; and caused therein the first and greatest popular insurrection that ever was seen in this kingdom. Dan., Hist. of Eng.

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Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,

To the land of Tahtimhodshi. — In terram inferiorem recens comparatam, into the lower lands recently conquered; sc., in the days of Saul, 1 Chronicles 5:10 so Junius rendereth, and senseth it.

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And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, [even] to Beersheba.

And to all the cities of the Hivites. — Who would dwell among the Israelites, and could not be gotten out. Judges 1:31-32 So nothing is more pertinacious than a strong lust.

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So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

At the end of nine months and twenty days. — So long lay David in his sin unrepented of. It hath before been noted that God’s children may not only be drenched in the waves of sin, but lie in them for the time; and perhaps sink twice to the bottom, …

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