And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

2 SAMUEL 24:1KJV
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2 Samuel 24:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 24:1 mean?

2 Samuel 24:1 describes a moment when God’s anger burned against Israel, and He caused David to decide to count the people of Israel and Judah. The verse presents this census as something God allowed or prompted, connecting it to His anger toward the nation.

The setting is late in King David’s reign, with the writer explaining why David chose to take a census of the people. The verse frames David’s action as a response to God’s anger, not just David’s personal decision. This sets up the events that follow, where the census leads to consequences for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 24:1

  • "anger" (אַף, ʾaf): This word often means "nose" or "face," but here it refers to God’s anger or wrath, showing a very strong emotional response.
  • "kindled" (חָרָה, charah): This verb means to burn or become hot, emphasizing how intense God’s anger was at this moment.
  • "moved" (סוּת, sut): This word means to incite or provoke. The verse says God "moved" David, suggesting that David’s decision to take the census was stirred up as part of God’s response to Israel.
  • "number" (מָנָה, manah): This verb means to count or take a census, which was a significant act in Israel’s history and often had spiritual or political implications.

Why 2 Samuel 24:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the census was not just David’s idea, but was connected to God’s anger with Israel, which helps explain the seriousness of the events that follow.
  • The wording shows that sometimes God allows or uses human decisions to accomplish larger purposes, even when those decisions lead to judgment or discipline.
  • Understanding the original words for "anger," "kindled," and "moved" highlights the intensity of the situation and the sense that David’s actions were part of a bigger story involving the whole nation.

Where else these words appear

“moved” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 2 Kings 18:32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

“number” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
  • Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

“kindled” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.