2 Samuel 24:3 “But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troo…”

2 Samuel 24:3

But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

World English Bible

Joab said to the king, “Now may the LORD your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”

American Standard Version

And Joab said unto the king, Now Jehovah thy God add unto the people, how many soever they may be, a hundredfold; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Geneva Bible 1599

And Ioab saide vnto the King, The Lord thy God increase the people an hundreth folde more then they be, and that the eyes of my lorde the King may see it: but why doeth my lord the King desire this thing?

Darby Translation

And Joab said to the king, May Jehovah thy God even add to the people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]; but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?

Young's Literal Translation

And Joab saith unto the king, 'Yea, Jehovah thy God doth add unto the people, as they are, a hundred times, and the eyes of my lord the king are seeing; and my lord the king, why is he desirous of this thing?'

Bible in Basic English

And Joab said to the king, Whatever the number of the people, may the Lord make it a hundred times as much, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it: but why does my lord the king take pleasure in doing this thing?

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Cross references

“And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?”

Psalm 115:14 2 Samuel 10:12 Proverbs 14:28 Isaiah 60:5 1 Chronicles 21:3 1 Chronicles 21:4

Psalm 115:14 · BSB

May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.

2 Samuel 10:12 · BSB

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Proverbs 14:28 · BSB

A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

Isaiah 60:5 · BSB

Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.

1 Chronicles 21:3 · BSB

But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

1 Chronicles 21:4 · BSB

Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem.

Also

Deuteronomy 1:11

Deuteronomy 1:11 · BSB

May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”

4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to register the troops of Israel.

Read 2 Samuel 24