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.
Ver. 2. 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. Luk 2:1 Not so David. God will take that from others that he will not bear with in his own. Amo 3:2 The Philistines might cart the ark, but David smarted for so doing.