Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 21:3
But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joab addresses King David immediately after David orders a military census from Beersheba to Dan. Joab questions the king’s motive and warns that the action will bring guilt upon Israel.
The words — The phrase יוֹסֵף יְהוָה עַל־עַמּוֹ מֵאָה פְעָמִים (yo.Sef Yah.weh 'al-'a.Mo me.'Ah fe.'a.Mim) literally renders “may He add to his people a hundred times.”
The thread — The text’s census warning parallels Moses’ confrontation with Aaron in Exodus 32:21 and Abraham’s dispute with Abimelech in Genesis 20:9. The blessing formula itself echoes the covenant promise in Deuteronomy 1:11.
Why it lands — The text records Joab’s direct objection to the king’s order and his explicit warning about national guilt before describing the census execution. It demands a reader examine whether institutional counting serves divine purpose or merely human control.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 1:11 May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.
- Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
- Exodus 32:21 “What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”
- Numbers 32:9 For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them.
- 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.
- 1 Kings 14:16 So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”
- 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
- Psalms 115:14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
- Proverbs 14:28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
- Isaiah 26:15 You have enlarged the nation, O LORD; You have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for Yourself; You have extended all the borders of the land.