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.
The king said to Joab ... Go now through all the tribes of Israel ... and number ye the people ... The order was given to Joab, who, though not generally restrained by religious scruples, did not fail to represent in strong terms (see the notes at 1 Chronicles 21:3) the sin and danger of this measure, and 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.