But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
- WEB Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, then came to Jerusalem.
- KJV Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
- BSB Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.
- NKJV Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
- NASB Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
- NLT But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The king's word overrules Joab, who carries out the census throughout Israel. It shows David pressing his sinful command despite the warning.
Overview
Though Joab objected, David's royal authority prevails, and the count proceeds. David's stubbornness in the face of correction magnifies his sin. The narrative warns that authority used against conscience and counsel leads to grief, even for God's chosen king.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Dan 3:18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
- 2 Sam 24:3–8Joab said to the king, “Now may Yahweh your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”
- Acts 5:29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
- Eccl 8:4for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
- Exod 1:17But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 21:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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