D. Numbering Israel challenged God's Providence. Taxes, military draft, or international boasting. E. Joab saw the problem. Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab , and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
Kings tend to get their way.
The issue arises often and there are blessings for those who do what is right. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The army reported in nine months. G. David's conscience began to hurt. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.