Reading for June 9th

 Read 2 Samuel 24.1-9. In 24.1-25: David's census. In verse 1: Again implies that this story is the sequel to an earlier one, perhaps 21.1-14. This same story is found in 1 Chr 21, where v. 1 says that Satan rather than the Lord incited David. A census provided the basis for conscription and taxation. The fact that a plague ensued suggests that some ritual taboo was broken. In verse 2: From Dan to Beersheba were the traditional northern and southern boundaries of Israel. In verse 9: The count is limited to men of military age. The Hebrew word translated thousand may refer to a much smaller military unit. Israel and Judah are numbered separately because Judah was exempt from taxation. Comments or Questions..