Bible verse
But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.
1 Chronicles 21:6 · BSB
The verses around it, from 1 Chronicles 21.
2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”
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?”
4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.
5 And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.
6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.
7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel.
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
9 And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer,
10 “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”
KJV
But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
ASV
But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
ERV
But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
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