1 Chronicles 21:2

Persian Dari Bible - Afgan Dialect - Version Good News for a New Age (GNN) == 2007

داود به یوآب و فرماندهان نظامی گفت: «بروید احصائیۀ مردم را از دان تا بئرشِبع برای من بیاورید تا بدانم که نفوس کشور چقدر است.»

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, King David tells Joab and the other leaders to count all the people in Israel from Beersheba to Dan. He wants to know the exact number of people in his kingdom.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're a king of a big playground and you want to know how many kids are playing in it from one end to the other. So, you ask your friends to count all the kids so you can know the number. That's what King David is doing here.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of 1 Chronicles, written by an unknown author, probably a priest, after the Babylonian exile. It was written to remind the returned exiles of their history and their covenant with God. The story takes place during King David's reign over Israel.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this could be like a city mayor wanting to know the exact population for planning purposes. However, King David’s decision to number the people went against God's will and resulted in a plague. This teaches us to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in all decisions.

Topics

• leadership
• census
• divine guidance
• consequences of actions
• trust in God
• history

Related Verses

• Exodus 30:11-12
• 2 Samuel 24:1-10
• Psalm 139:1-16
• Luke 2:1-5
• Revelation 7:4

Recommended Reading

Commentary 1 Chronicles Commentaries → Get This Bible GNN Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did David want to number the people?

David wanted to know the exact number of people in his kingdom, possibly for military and administrative reasons. However, this act was against God's will and had negative consequences.

What were the consequences of David's decision?

David's decision to number the people resulted in a plague that killed many Israelites, showing the importance of seeking God’s guidance before making important decisions.

Why is the location from Beersheba to Dan significant?

Beersheba and Dan are the southernmost and northernmost points of ancient Israel, respectively. Mentioning these locations emphasizes that the census was to cover the entire land of Israel.

What can we learn from this verse about leadership?

This verse teaches leaders the importance of seeking divine guidance and wisdom in decision-making, as well as the potential consequences of not following God’s will.