²³ But David did not ^[a]count those twenty years of age and under, ^(A)because the Lord had said He would multiply Israel ^(B)as the stars of heaven.

²⁴ Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count them, but did not finish; and because of ^(A)this, wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not included in the account of the chronicles of King David.