King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:9 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:9 in the King James Version says “And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand vali... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

2 Samuel 24:9 · KJV


Context

7

And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.

8

So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

9

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

10

And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

11

For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Census and Plague, emphasizing pride, judgment, provision. David's census represents prideful self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The plague's devastation demonstrates sin's consequences extending beyond the sinner. David's purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and sacrifice there establishes the future temple location. Theological themes include the danger of pride, corporate consequences of leaders' sins, the necessity of proper sacrifice, God's mercy in limiting judgment, and divine purpose even in disciplinary actions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 24 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding pride, judgment, provision provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of pride, judgment, provision?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן1 of 23

gave up

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יוֹאָ֛ב2 of 23

And Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

אֶת3 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִסְפַּ֥ר4 of 23

the sum

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

מִפְקַד5 of 23

of the number

H4662

an appointment, i.e., mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census

הָעָ֖ם6 of 23

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶל7 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ8 of 23

unto the king

H4428

a king

וַתְּהִ֣י9 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל10 of 23

and there were in Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שְֽׁמֹנֶה֩11 of 23

eight

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

מֵא֥וֹת12 of 23

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֖לֶף13 of 23

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִֽישׁ׃14 of 23

and the men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

חַ֙יִל֙15 of 23

valiant

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

שֹׁ֣לֵֽף16 of 23

that drew

H8025

to pull out, up or off

חֶ֔רֶב17 of 23

the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אִֽישׁ׃18 of 23

and the men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְהוּדָ֔ה19 of 23

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

חֲמֵשׁ20 of 23

were five

H2568

five

מֵא֥וֹת21 of 23

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֖לֶף22 of 23

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִֽישׁ׃23 of 23

and the men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 24:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 24:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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