Q: Why are censuses usually considered a sin in the OT? For example, 2 Samuel 24:9-10 says,
“Joab gave the king the total of the registration of the troops. There were eight hundred thousand valiant armed men from Israel and five hundred thousand men from Judah. David’s conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away your servant’s guilt.'”
Mentioned:
2 Samuel 24:9-10, 1 chronicles 21:5-7
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