1. Satan was against Israel. He encouraged David to count the people of Israel.
2. So David gave an order to Joab and the commanders of the troops. He said, “Go and count all the Israelites. Count everyone from Beersheba to Dan. Then tell me so I will know how many people there are.”
3. But Joab answered, “May the Lord make the nation 100 times as large. My master the king, all the Israelites are your servants. Why do you want to do this, my master? You will make Israel guilty of sin.”
4. But King David made Joab follow his order. So Joab left and went through all Israel, counting the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem.