Questions and Answers

What was the number of fighting in Israel and of Judah?

The account in 1 Chronicles twice speaks of "all the people" and "all Israel."

The account in 2 Samuel does not.

Thus, it is possible that the account in 1 Chronicles is more inclusive, while 2 Samuel only deals with the standing army.

    The number of fighting men of Isreal was 1,100,000; and of Judah 470,000
    • 1 Chronicles 21:5 - One million one hundred thousand men...four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.
    The number of fighting men of Isreal was 800,000; and of Judah 500,000
    • 2 Samuel 24:9 - There were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men...in Judah five hundred thousand