1 Chronicles 21:2-4

Living Bible

² “Take a complete census throughout the land^[a] and bring me the totals,” he told Joab and the other leaders.

³ But Joab objected. “If the Lord were to multiply his people a hundred times, would they not all be yours? So why are you asking us to do this? Why must you cause Israel to sin?”

⁴ But the king won the argument, and Joab did as he was told; he traveled all through Israel and returned to Jerusalem.