1 Chronicles 21:2-4

New Life Version

² So David said to Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go and number Israel from Beersheba to Dan. Then let me know how many people there are.” ³ Joab said, “May the Lord add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord want this thing done? Why should he bring guilt upon Israel?” ⁴ But the king’s word was stronger than Joab. So Joab left and went through all of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.