Teks -- 2 Samuel 24:1-6 (NET)

David Displeases the Lord by Taking a Census

24:1 The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.” 24:2 The king told Joab, the general in command of his army, “Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beer Sheba and muster the army, so I may know the size of the army.” 24:3 Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God make the army a hundred times larger right before the eyes of my lord the king! But why does my master the king want to do this?” 24:4 But the king’s edict stood, despite the objections of Joab and the leaders of the army. So Joab and the leaders of the army left the king’s presence in order to muster the Israelite army. 24:5 They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, on the south side of the city, at the wadi of Gad, near Jazer. 24:6 Then they went on to Gilead and to the region of Tahtim Hodshi, coming to Dan Jaan and on around to Sidon.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

JFB: 2Sa 24:1-4 - again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah

"Again" carries us back to the former tokens of His wrath in the three years' famine [2Sa 21:1]. God, though He cannot tempt any man (Jam 1:13), is frequently described in Scripture as doing what He merely permits to be done; and so, in this case, He permitted Satan to tempt David. Satan was the active mover, while God only withdrew His supporting grace, and the great tempter prevailed against the king. (See Exo 7:13; 1Sa 26:19; 2Sa 16:10; Psa 105:25; Isa 7:17, &c.). The order was given to Joab, who, though not generally restrained by religious scruples, did not fail to present, in strong terms (see on 1Ch 21:3), the sin and danger of this measure. He used every argument to dissuade the king from his purpose. The sacred history has not mentioned the objections which he and other distinguished officers urged against it in the council of David. But it expressly states that they were all overruled by the inflexible resolution of the king.

JFB: 2Sa 24:5 - they passed over Jordan

This census was taken first in the eastern parts of the Hebrew kingdom; and it would seem that Joab was accompanied by a military force, either to aid in this troublesome work, or to overawe the people who might display reluctance or opposition.

JFB: 2Sa 24:5 - the river of Gad

"Wady" would be a better term. It extends over a course estimated at about sixty miles, which, though in summer almost constantly dry, exhibits very evident traces of being swept over by an impetuous torrent in winter (see Deu 2:36).

JFB: 2Sa 24:6 - the land of Tahtim-hodshi

That is, the land lately acquired; namely, that of the Hagarites conquered by Saul (1Ch 5:10). The progress was northward. Thence they crossed the country, and, proceeding along the western coast to the southern extremities of the country, they at length arrived in Jerusalem, having completed the enumeration of the whole kingdom in the space of nine months and twenty days.

Clarke: 2Sa 24:1 - He moved David against them

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 (1Ch 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 his empire was sufficient for the work which he had projected. See more on 2Sa 24:10 (note). He therefore orders Joab and the captains to take an exact account of all the effective men in Israel and Judah. God is justly displeased with this conduct, and determines that the props of his vain ambition shall be taken away, either by famine, war, or pestilence.

Clarke: 2Sa 24:3 - Joab said unto the king

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.

Clarke: 2Sa 24:5 - And pitched in Aroer

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.

Clarke: 2Sa 24:6 - Tahtim-hodshi

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 1Ch 5:10, where this transaction is recorded

Clarke: 2Sa 24:6 - To Dan-jaan

To Dan-jaan - Or, to Dan of the woods. This is the place so frequently mentioned, situated at the foot of Mount Libanus, near to the source of the Jordan, the most northern city of all the possessions of the Israelites in what was called the promised land, as Beer-sheba was the most southern: hence the common form of speech, From Dan to Beer-sheba, i.e., from north to south.

Defender: 2Sa 24:1 - he moved David

There is no real contradiction here with 1Ch 21:1, which says that "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." Satan can only do what God allows, as in the case of Job. In this case, Satan tempted David to commit sin, because of his pride in his military might, knowing that David's sin would incur God's judgment on Israel and hinder God's plan of redemption. But God allowed Satan to do this. Therefore, depending on viewpoint and emphasis, it would be correct to say either that God or Satan moved David to number the Israelites."

TSK: 2Sa 24:1 - again // he // moved // number

am 2987, bc 1017, An, Ex, Is, 474

again : 2Sa 21:1-14

he : This verse, when read without reference to any other part of the word of God, is very difficult to understand, and has been used by those who desire to undermine the justice of God, to shew that he sought occasion to punish - that he incited David to sin; and when he had so incited him, gave to him the dreadful alternative of choosing one of three scourges by which his people were to be cut off. On the face of the passage these thoughts naturally arise, because ""the Lord""is the antecedent to the pronoun ""he,""- He moved David. But to those who ""search the Scriptures,""this exceedingly difficult passage receives a wonderful elucidation. By referring to 1Ch 21:1, the reader will there find that Satan was the mover, and that the Lord most righteously punished David for the display of pride he had manifested. Oh! that Christians, who sometimes have their minds harassed with doubts, would remember the promise, that what they know not now they shall know hereafter; and if no other instance of elucidation than this passage occurred to them to remove their doubts, let this be a means of stirring them up to dig deeper than ever into the inexhaustible mines of the Inspired Word. Jam 1:13, Jam 1:14

moved : 2Sa 12:11, 2Sa 16:10; Gen 45:5, Gen 50:20; Exo 7:3; 1Sa 26:19; 1Ki 22:20-23; Eze 14:9, Eze 20:25; Act 4:28; 2Th 2:11

number : 1Ch 27:23, 1Ch 27:24

TSK: 2Sa 24:2 - Joab // Go now // from Dan // and number // that I may

Joab : 2Sa 2:13, 2Sa 8:16, 2Sa 20:23, 2Sa 23:37

Go now : etc. or, Compass now all, 1Ch 21:2

from Dan : 2Sa 3:10, 2Sa 17:11; Jdg 20:1

and number : We know not in what the sinfulness of this action consisted. Some think it was a contempt of the promise that the Israelites should be innumerable, and that they ought not to have been numbered without an express command, as in the days of Moses. Others suppose with Josephus that it was a kind of sacrilege, in omitting to collect the half-shekel a-piece for the use of the sanctuary. It however would appear that pride and ambition, and a desire of conquest, induced David to this measure, and rendered it so displeasing to God.

that I may : Deu 8:13, Deu 8:14; 2Ch 32:25, 2Ch 32:26, 2Ch 32:31; Pro 29:23; Jer 17:5; 2Co 12:7

TSK: 2Sa 24:3

2Sa 10:12; 1Ch 21:3, 1Ch 21:4; Psa 115:14; Pro 14:28; Isa 60:5

TSK: 2Sa 24:4 - the king’ s // went out

the king’ s : 1Ch 21:4; Ecc 8:4

went out : Exo 1:17; Act 5:29

TSK: 2Sa 24:5 - Aroer // river // Jazer

Aroer : Deu 2:36; Jos 13:9, Jos 13:16; 1Sa 30:28; Isa 17:2

river : or, valley

Jazer : Num 32:1, Num 32:3, Num 32:35; Isa 16:8, Isa 16:9

TSK: 2Sa 24:6 - Gilead // land of Tahtimhodshi // Zidon

Gilead : Gen 31:21, Gen 31:47, Gen 31:48; Num 32:1, Num 32:39

land of Tahtimhodshi : or, nether land newly inhabited, Dan-jaan. Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:29

Zidon : Gen 10:15; Jos 11:8, Jos 19:28; Jdg 18:28

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Sa 24:1 - Again // He moved David

Again to wit, after the former tokens of his anger, such as the three years’ famine, 2Sa 21 .

He moved David he: who? Either,

1. Satan, as is expressed, 1Ch 21:1 . Or,

2. God; who is said, in like manner, to stir up Saul against David , 1Sa 26:19 , and to turn the hearts of the Egyptians to hate his people, Psa 105:25 , and to make men to err from his ways , Isa 63:17 , and to send strong delusions , &c., and to harden their hearts . All which expressions are not so to be understood, as if God did work these sinful dispositions; which neither was necessary, because they are naturally in every man’ s heart, nor possible for the holy God to do; but because he permits them, and withdraws his grace and all restraints and hinderances from them, and giveth occasions and advantages to them; and directs their thoughts to such objects as may indeed be innocently thought of, which yet he knows they will wickedly abuse; and give them up to Satan, who he knows will deceive and entice them to such and such sins; which, being tempted to do by Satan, and being effected by their own wicked hearts, he so orders and overrules, that they shall be punishments for their former sins. Against them, i.e. for Israel’ s punishment. To say , or, saying . For this may be referred, either,

1. To God, of whom the same expression is used 2Sa 16:10 , The Lord said to Shimei, Curse David ; which in both places is not to be understood of any command or impulse of God, but of his secret providence disposing things in manner here above expressed. Or,

2. To David; he moved David to say , to wit, to Joab, as he did, 2Sa 24:2 .

Poole: 2Sa 24:2

Which expression points at David’ s sin in this matter, that he numbered them, not by direction from God, nor for any important business of the church or kingdom; but out of mere curiosity, and pride, and vain-glory; accompanied either with a secret distrust of God’ s promise; or rather, with a carnal confidence in the numbers of his people; all which were great sins, and were so manifest, that not only God saw them, and all the degrees and aggravations of them, in David; but even Joab and the captains of the host were very sensible of them, 2Sa 24:3,4 .

Poole: 2Sa 24:3

What reason or necessity is there for this action? It is to no purpose, and will be burdensome to thy people, and may offend God, and produce ill effects.

Poole: 2Sa 24:4

Joab perceiving the king bent upon it, would not hazard the king’ s favour by further disputing or disobeying his command.

Poole: 2Sa 24:5 - They passed over Jordan // Pitched // Of the river of Gad // Toward Jazer

They passed over Jordan they began their computation in the eastern part of David’ s dominions, which were beyond Jordan.

Pitched or encamped . For Joab carried with them divers of his commanders, and others; partly, for his honour, and, the credit of the work; partly, to assist him in that troublesome work; and partly, to overcome the people, in case they should oppose it as sinful or burdensome, or savouring of some evil design which David might have upon them.

Of the river of Gad i. e. of the river which lay in the tribe of Gad, or upon the borders of Gad and Reuben, which was called Arnon , Deu 2:36 .

Toward Jazer or, near Jazer , which also was upon the river Arnon.

Poole: 2Sa 24:6 - To Gilead // Tahtim-hodshi // Dan-jaan // About to Zidon

To Gilead to Mount Gilead, which lay northward from Arnon.

Tahtim-hodshi a place so called. Or, the lowland lately gained , i. e. not given by Joshua, but taken lately from the Hagarites by Saul; which was near Gilead, 1Ch 5:10 .

Dan-jaan i.e. probably the famous city of Dan, as it is called, Jos 19:47 Jud 18:7 ; for this was in the northern border of the land, and in the way from Gilead to Zidon.

About to Zidon i.e. to the city and territory of Zidon; but not into it, because it was not in the power and possession of the Israelites: and the like is to be thought concerning Tyre, and the cities which the Hivites and Canaanites yet possessed in the neighbourhood of Tyre and Sidon.

Haydock: 2Sa 24:1 - Stirred up // Among

Stirred up, &c. This stirring up, was not the doing of God, but of satan; as it is expressly declared, 1 Chronicles xxi. 1. (Challoner) ---

David was moved by vanity, &c., thus to displease God. ---

Among. Hebrew, "against;" as the king could have done nothing more prejudicial to his people, 70,000 of whom perished on this occasion, ver. 15. (Haydock) ---

We might also translate, "The anger of the Lord continued against Israel: for David, for their misfortune, was moved to say, Go," &c., as this would obviate the harshness of the expression. (Calmet) ---

However, as it is the same in the Septuagint, &c., and as similar words do not prove that God is the author of sin, we may explain this in the same sense, allowing that he suffered the evil to take place, knowing how to draw good out of it. (St. Augustine, &c.) (Haydock) ---

Some take this Satan to be an evil counsellor. (Calmet) ---

The devil may be styled "the fury of God?" as he is his creature, though rebellious. (Worthington)

Haydock: 2Sa 24:2 - Them

Them. He was led by curiosity. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Sa 24:3 - Thing

Thing. He speaks in stronger terms, and adds, (1 Paralipomenon xxi. 3,) which may be imputed as a sin to Israel. Joab was not extremely religious: yet he perceived the evil consequences, and, along with the other captains, expressed his sentiments with more respect than on former occasions. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Sa 24:5 - God

God, at the eastern extremity, on the banks of the Arnon.

Haydock: 2Sa 24:6 - Hodsi // Woodlands

Hodsi. Alexandrian Septuagint, ( 5 ) "of Gad and Eliazer, ( 6 ) and they came into Galaad, and into the land of Ethaon Adasai, and they went into Dan Jaran." The other editions vary. Hebrew means, "to the land of new subjects," or "lately conquered" (Junius) from the Agarites, (1 Paralipomenon v. 10,) which agrees with this situation. (Calmet; Lyranus) ---

The commissioners first took an account of the tribe of Ruben, (Menochius) and then proceeded northward, till they returned from Dan towards the south. (Haydock) ---

Woodlands. St. Jerome reads jar, instead of jan. By transposing a letter, ain would signify Dan, "the spring," which feeds the Jordan.

Gill: 2Sa 24:1 - And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel // and he moved David against them // go, number Israel and Judah

And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel,.... It had been kindled, and appeared before in sending a three years' famine among them for Saul's ill usage of the Gibeonites, 2Sa 21:1; and now it broke forth again, either for some secret sins committed, as Kimchi suggests, or for the rebellion of Absalom, and the insurrection of Sheba, in which multitudes of them joined; so Abarbinel; no doubt there was cause for it, though it is not expressed:

and he moved David against them; not the Lord, but Satan, as may be supplied from 1Ch 21:1; or "it moved him"; the anger of the Lord, as the last mentioned writer interprets it; or the heart of David, as Ben Gersom; that is, the evil imagination of his heart, as Kimchi; the Lord left him to the corruption of his nature, sometimes called Satan, 2Co 12:7; which wrought powerfully in him, and stirred him up to take a step contrary to the interest of Israel, and what was prejudicial to them, as the event showed: it moved him to say; to Joab and his captains:

go, number Israel and Judah: not all the individuals, but such as were fit for war, able to bear arms, see 2Sa 24:9.

Gill: 2Sa 24:2 - 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

For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him,.... Or who was with him, even Joab, who was now at court, and was a counsellor of David, as well as his general; or which army was with Joab, a standing army he had the command of:

go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba; from the northern part of the land of Israel to the southern part of it, and this course was accordingly steered, 2Sa 24:6,

and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people; so that this appears to be done not through any urgent necessity, but merely out of curiosity, and to gratify the pride of his heart, and please himself with the thought of ruling such a numerous people, and brag of their numbers to other nations, and place his confidence therein; and no wonder it was displeasing to the Lord.

Gill: 2Sa 24:3 - 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 unto the king,.... Not so rudely and insolently as he did on account of his mourning for Absalom, but in a more modest, decent, and polite manner:

now the Lord thy God add unto the people (how many soever they be) an hundredfold; he wished his subjects were an hundred times more numerous than they were:

and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it; that he might live to see with his own eyes so great an increase:

but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? he being now old, and therefore it might seem strange to indulge such curiosity, pride, and vanity, and besides quite needless and useless: the numbering of them would not make them more or less; and they were all the king's servants, who were ready to obey him whenever he needed them, whether numbered or not; and it might be prejudicial to them, and bring down the wrath of God upon them, as well as be a troublesome and expensive business; all which, though not expressed here, is hinted at in 1Ch 21:3.

Gill: 2Sa 24:4 - 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 against Joab, and against the captains of the host,.... Who it seems were of the same mind with Joab, and were against numbering the people, yet their arguments and remonstrances were of no avail with the king; he was determined it should be done, and laid his commands upon them to do it, which they were obliged to comply with:

and Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel; seeing him resolute and determined, they submitted, took his orders, and set out to execute them.

Gill: 2Sa 24:5 - 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 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, Num 32:34,

on the right side of the city; that is, of Aroer, the south side of it, as the Targum, did Joab and his army pitch:

that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad; which was the river Arnon, so called now from the tribe of Gad, which possessed it, and so the Targum, in the midst of the river of the tribe of Gad; for in the midst of the river Arnon Aroer lay, see Jos 13:9,

and toward Jazer; another city given to the Gadites, Num 32:3; and, according to Bunting ^u, was sixteen miles from Aroer.

Gill: 2Sa 24:6 - Then they came to Gilead // and to the land of Tahtimhodshi // and they came to Danjaan // and about to Zidon

Then they came to Gilead,.... The land of Gilead, half of which was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the other half to the half tribe of Manasseh, Deu 3:12; which tribes were numbered, and the first of all:

and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; or the low lands of a new place; it seems to be a country newly possessed and inhabited; the Targum calls it the southern land of Hodshi; Bunting ^w calls it the lower country of Hodshi, near to the city Corazin, in the half tribe of Manasseh, fifty two miles from Jerusalem, and towards the northeast, and signifies a new land:

and they came to Danjaan; the same that is simply called Dan, and formerly Leshem, Jos 19:47; why Juan is added to it is not easy to say; it lay at the northern border of the land of Israel, and was four miles from Paneas as you go to Tyre ^x:

and about to Zidon; from Dan they went round about to Zidon, to the parts adjacent to it; for with Zidon itself they had nothing to do, of which See Gill on Jos 11:8.