1 Chronicles 21:3

And Ioab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many moe as they bee: but, my lord the king, are they not al my lords seruants? why then doeth my lord require this thing? why will hee bee a cause of trespasse to Israel? 1 Chronicles 21:3 (KJV)

This verse belongs to a larger narrative that records an event in the reign of King David. In 1 Chronicles 21 we read that Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number the people (1 Chron. 21:1, KJV). Against the counsel of his commander Joab, David orders a census, an act that was understood in Israel as an expression of pride and a reliance on military strength rather than on God’s provision.

Joab, the son of Zeruiah and commander of David’s army, replies to the king’s command with deep concern. He reminds the king that the LORD can multiply the people a hundredfold, yet all of them are already the king’s servants. He asks why the king would require such a count and warns that it could become a cause of trespass to Israel. Joab’s objection highlights the danger of placing confidence in human numbers instead of trusting in God’s sovereignty.

The deeper meaning of this passage centers on trust and reliance on God. David’s decision to conduct the census reveals a lack of faith in God’s provision and protection. By questioning the necessity of the census, Joab points to the spiritual peril of depending on human strength.

Later in the chapter David recognizes his sin, repents, and is confronted by the prophet Gad, who offers three options for punishment. David chooses a plague, and a severe pestilence strikes Israel. When the angel of the LORD appears, the plague is halted, and David builds an altar on that very site.

The account serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting and obeying God rather than relying on our own resources. It urges believers to cultivate a deep trust in God’s plans and to follow His leading, learning from David’s mistake and Joab’s faithful counsel.