⁶ They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon.^{(A) 7} Then they went toward the fortress of Tyre^(B) and all the towns of the Hivites^(C) and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to Beersheba^(D) in the Negev^(E) of Judah.

⁸ After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

⁹ Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.^(F)

¹⁰ David was conscience-stricken^(G) after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned^(H) greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.^(I)”

¹⁴ David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?^(A)”