Joab, the son of Zeruiah, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his military prowess and complex relationship with King David. As the commander of David's army, Joab played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining David's kingdom. He is a son of Zeruiah, David's sister, making him David's nephew. Joab's actions and decisions often reflect his loyalty to David, though they sometimes lead to tension and conflict.

One of the most significant episodes involving Joab is his role in the census of Israel, as recorded in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. This event is marked by controversy and divine judgment, highlighting the tension between human authority and divine command.

The Census Incident

The narrative of the census begins with God's anger against Israel, prompting Him to incite David to take a census of the people. In 2 Samuel 24:1 , it is written, "Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, 'Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.'"

David instructs Joab to carry out the census, commanding him to "Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know their number" (2 Samuel 24:2). Joab, however, expresses reluctance and questions the king's decision, indicating his awareness of the potential consequences. In 1 Chronicles 21:3 , Joab responds, "May the LORD multiply His troops a hundredfold. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?"

Despite Joab's protest, David's command prevails, and Joab proceeds with the census. The task takes nearly ten months to complete, and the final count reveals 800,000 valiant men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah (2 Samuel 24:9).

Divine Judgment and Aftermath

The completion of the census brings about divine displeasure. David, realizing his sin, confesses to the LORD, saying, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly" (2 Samuel 24:10). God offers David three options for punishment: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses to fall into the hands of the LORD, resulting in a devastating plague that claims the lives of 70,000 men (2 Samuel 24:13-15).

Joab's involvement in the census underscores his role as a military leader bound by duty to the king, yet aware of the spiritual implications of his actions. His initial resistance to the census reflects a discernment that aligns with divine will, contrasting with David's momentary lapse in judgment.

Joab's Legacy

Joab's participation in the census is one of many episodes that illustrate his complex character. As a leader, he is both a loyal servant to David and a pragmatic figure who navigates the challenges of leadership in a turbulent period of Israel's history. His actions, while sometimes controversial, are integral to the narrative of David's reign and the unfolding account of Israel.2 Samuel 24:4-9
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.
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1 Chronicles 21:4,5
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Why Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
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1 Chronicles 27:23,24
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
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The Reign of David.
... looking to the onion of the two kingdoms, but was treacherously killed by Joab. ... 4)
The rebellion of Absalom, his son, which almost cost David the throne ...
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Book 5 Footnotes
... but that God had foretold to David by a prophet, that here his son should build ...
[26] David is here greatly blamed by some for recommending Joab and Shimei ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... become King of Israel, and his general, Joab, had subdued ... in honour of that Ammonite
wife whose son Rehoboam succeeded ... removed to grace the triumph of David.[8 ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Census of Israel
... We would say with Joab, "Now the Lord thy God add unto ... of Amasa, which lay gory in
the road in David's day ... Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... to have revenged the violation of his sister Dinah by ... are described at length in
the duel between David and Goliath ... Hobab is the son of Raguel, Numbers 10:29. ...
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The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... I have often wondered at David that he should give Joab and the men ... they take heed
that they carry it tenderly to that young rebel Absalom his son (2 Samuel ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... is in his goodness (1 John 1:9, Numbers 14:17,18 ... clothed with flesh, that the works
of the Son might by ... and inclosed; "A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... Numbers 23:9 ... I thought with myself, that I came nearer to Judas, than either to David
or Peter ... and would not let them, as He had let me, become a son of perdition ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... acquaintance with the Father, in his Son; your tenderness ... There was nothing to David
like Goliah's sword, even ... be reckoned among their neighbours (Numbers 23:9 ...
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