2 Samuel 24:4
ESV
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.
NIV
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.
NASB
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.
CSB
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.
NLT
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.
KJV
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.
NKJV
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.
What does 2 Samuel 24:4 mean?
Joab is David's long-time military commander and his nephew. Throughout his life, he's shown incredible loyalty to his king. He's also one of the very few people who can tell King David when he's making a mistake. The only others seem to be prophets and priests who speak for God. Joab's advice is more practical.Joab will flagrantly disobey David's orders if he feels they're foolish and that he can get away with it. Joab vengefully killed Saul's general Abner, who had made a treaty with David (2 Samuel 3:30). He both brought David's son out of exile and killed him when he rebelled against his father (2 Samuel 14; 18:9–15). He told David that by mourning the traitor, he was shaming his men (2 Samuel 19:1–8). And he'll back David's son Adonijah as king when David knows Solomon will follow him (1 Kings 1:7–8, 30). Other than with Abner, even Joab's wrong decisions are based on logic and practicality.
Sometimes, Joab knows he must obey David's commands, even if the orders are wrong. That seemed to be the case with Uriah's death (2 Samuel 11:14–21). And it's the situation here. God is angry with Israel. His punishment requires David to take an unwise count of the fighting men. Joab and the generals see the census for the sin it is. David is somehow blinded. Joab has made his case, but he'll do what the king commands (2 Samuel 24:1–3).
The regular army spreads throughout the nation and counts the fighting men. But even as he obeys David, Joab rebels just a little. When he gives the final number, he doesn't include the tribes of Levi or Benjamin (2 Samuel 24:5–9; 1 Chronicles 21:6).
