1 Chronicles 21:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David commands Joab and the leaders to count Israel from one end of the land to the other.
What Does 1 Chronicles 21:2 Mean?
David gives the order to his commander Joab. "From Beersheba even to Dan" is the standard way of naming the whole land, south to north, the full extent of the tribes. The king wants the total tally brought back to him.
David's stated reason is simply "that I may know it." Knowledge can serve God or self, and here the desire to measure his own might quietly displaces trust in the One who had given every victory. Strength counted and admired can become strength no longer leaned upon. The heart that says "that I may know" must always ask why it wishes to know.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Chronicles 21:2
What does 1 Chronicles 21:2 mean?
David commands Joab and the leaders to count Israel from one end of the land to the other.