But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Barnes' Notes
To omit the Levites would be to follow the precedent recorded in Num 1:47-49. The omission of Benjamin must he ascribed to a determination on the part of Joab to frustrate the king’s intention,…
Adam Clarke
Levi and Benjamin counted he not - The rabbins give the following reason for this: Joab, seeing that this would bring down destruction upon the people, purposed to save two tribes. Should David ask,…
Numbering the people, one would think, was no bad thing. Why should not the shepherd know the number of his flock? But God sees not as man sees. It is plain it was wrong in David to do it, and a great…
Cambridge Bible
Levi In Num 1:49 it is ordained that Levi is not to be numbered among the children of Israel, i.e. treated as liable to military service. The Levites were, however, numbered separately; Num 3:15; Num…
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