2 Samuel 24:4
New International Version
The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

New Living Translation
But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel.

English Standard Version
But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to register the troops of Israel.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the king’s order prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army left the presence of the king to conduct a census of the people of Israel.

NASB 1995
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to register the people of Israel.

NASB 1977
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king, to register the people of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the king’s word stood strong against Joab and against the commanders of the military force. So Joab and the commanders of the military force went out from the presence of the king to take a census of the people of Israel.

Amplified Bible
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So they went from the king’s presence to take a census of the people of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Yet the king’s order prevailed over Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army left the king’s presence to register the troops of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet the king’s order prevailed over Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army left the king’s presence to register the troops of Israel.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But when David refused to change his mind, Joab and the army officers went out and started counting the people.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, the king overruled Joab and the commanders of the army. So they left the king [in order] to count the people of Israel.

Good News Translation
But the king made Joab and his officers obey his order; they left his presence and went out to count the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
But the king's order overruled Joab and the commanders of the special forces, so Joab and the commanders of the special forces left David's presence to take a census of the people of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to count the troops of Israel.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
However, the king?s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king, to number the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Notwithstanding, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the word of the king is severe toward Joab, and against the heads of the force, and Joab goes out, and the heads of the force, [from] before the king to inspect the people, even Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
And the word of the king is severe towards Joab, and against the heads of the force, and Joab goeth out, and the heads of the force, from before the king to inspect the people, even Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king's word will be strong to Joab and to the chiefs of his army. And Joab went forth and the chiefs of his army before the king to review the people Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the king's words prevailed over the words of Joab, and of the captains of the army: and Joab, and the captains of the soldiers went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the words of the king prevailed over the words of Joab and the leaders of the army. And so Joab and the leaders of the military departed from the face of the king, so that they might number the people of Israel.

New American Bible
However, the king’s command prevailed over Joab and the leaders of the army, so they left the king’s presence in order to register the people of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to take a census of the people of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. And Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the word of the King prevailed against Yuab and against the Generals of the army, and Yuab went out and the Commanders of the army from before the King to count the people of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nevertheless the word of the king prevailed against Joab an the captains of the host: And Joab and the captains of the host went out before the king to number the people of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Military Census
3But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?” 4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to count the troops of Israel. 5They crossed the Jordan and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 21:4
Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. / So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

1 Kings 21:25
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

2 Kings 18:7
And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.

2 Kings 24:3-4
Surely this happened to Judah at the LORD’s command, to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all that he had done, / and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.

Exodus 30:12
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.

Numbers 1:2-3
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

Numbers 26:2
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

Deuteronomy 1:10-11
The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...

Joshua 11:15
As the LORD had commanded His servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. That is what Joshua did, leaving nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

Psalm 106:15
So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

the king's

1 Chronicles 21:4
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 8:4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

went out

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Jump to Previous
Army Captains Commanders Count Enroll Fighting Force Heads Host However Inspect Israel Joab Jo'ab King's Nevertheless Notwithstanding Order Overruled Presence Prevailed Register Severe Towards Word
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Army Captains Commanders Count Enroll Fighting Force Heads Host However Inspect Israel Joab Jo'ab King's Nevertheless Notwithstanding Order Overruled Presence Prevailed Register Severe Towards Word
2 Samuel 24
1. David, tempted by Satan, forces Joab to number the people
5. The captains, in nine months and twenty days, gather 1,300,000 fighting men
10. David repents, and having three plagues proposed by God, chooses pestilence
15. After the death of 70,000, David by prayer prevents the destruction of Jerusalem
18. David, by God's direction, purchases Araunah's threshing floor;
25. and the plague stops














Nevertheless
This word serves as a pivot in the narrative, indicating a shift from counsel to action. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "nevertheless" is "ulam," which conveys a sense of contrast or exception. It highlights the tension between King David's decision and the advice given by Joab, his military commander. This sets the stage for understanding the gravity of David's choice, which goes against wise counsel, emphasizing the human tendency to assert one's will even when it contradicts sound advice.

the king’s word
The phrase underscores the authority and finality of a monarch's command in ancient Israel. In Hebrew, "davar" (word) signifies not just spoken words but also the power and authority behind them. David, as king, held ultimate authority, and his word was law. This reflects the biblical theme of the power of words, especially those spoken by leaders, and the responsibility that comes with such authority.

prevailed against Joab
Here, "prevailed" indicates a triumph of will or decision. The Hebrew root "gabar" means to be strong or to prevail, suggesting a struggle or contest of wills. Joab, known for his military prowess and loyalty to David, represents the voice of reason and caution. The phrase highlights the conflict between human authority and divine wisdom, as Joab's resistance is overruled by David's insistence.

and the commanders of the army
This phrase expands the scope of opposition to David's decision, indicating that it was not just Joab but also other military leaders who were against the census. The Hebrew term "sarim" (commanders) refers to leaders or princes, suggesting that the military hierarchy was united in their counsel. This collective dissent underscores the gravity of David's decision and foreshadows the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.

So they left the presence of the king
The act of leaving the king's presence signifies obedience despite disagreement. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the king's presence was a place of authority and decision-making. The Hebrew verb "yatsa" (to go out) implies a departure to fulfill a command, reflecting the duty-bound nature of Joab and the commanders, even when they disagreed with the king's decision.

to count the troops of Israel
This phrase describes the action that David commanded, which was to conduct a census of the fighting men. In Hebrew, "paqad" (to count or number) can also mean to muster or take account of. The act of counting the troops was not merely logistical but had spiritual implications, as it suggested reliance on military strength rather than on God. This action sets the stage for the ensuing divine judgment, highlighting the biblical theme of trust in God over human resources.

Verse 4. - The captains of the host. The matter was not undertaken without a council being held, and at it David's chief officers agreed with Joab; but David had made up his mind, and would take no advice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Nevertheless, the king's
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

prevailed
וַיֶּחֱזַ֤ק (way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joab
יוֹאָ֔ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

and against
וְעַ֖ל (wə·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the commanders
שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army.
הֶחָ֑יִל (he·ḥā·yil)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

So Joab
יוֹאָ֜ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

and the commanders
וְשָׂרֵ֤י (wə·śā·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army
הַחַ֙יִל֙ (ha·ḥa·yil)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

departed
וַיֵּצֵ֨א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from the presence
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to count
לִפְקֹ֥ד (lip̄·qōḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

the troops
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 24:3
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