Bible Strands
2 Samuel 24:3
But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joab addresses King David immediately after David commands a military census from Dan to Beersheba.
The words — The Hebrew וְ/יוֹסֵ֣ף (ve./yo.Sef) means “and may he add,” and אֱלֹהֶ֨י/ךָ ('e.lo.Hei./kha) translates to “your God,” forming the core of Joab’s blessing formula.
The thread — The blessing structure parallels Deuteronomy 1:11 and Psalm 115:14, while the military framing mirrors 2 Samuel 10:12.
Why it lands — The text records Joab’s verbal blessing followed by a direct question about the king’s motive, requiring the reader to observe the immediate tension between royal command and military reality.
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 said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
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.
- Psalms 115:14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
- 2 Samuel 10:12 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.”
- 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?”
- Proverbs 14:28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
- Isaiah 60:5 Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.