1 Chronicles 27:24

“Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, etc.] By the order of David, but entirely against his own will, (see <132102>1 Chronicles 21:2-4,6), but he finished not; the two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him, (<132106>1 Chronicles 21:6) because there fell wrath for it against Israel; the plague being broke forth before he had done numbering, which put a stop to it, (<132114>1 Chronicles 21:14) neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of David; that which was brought in by Joab, though imperfect, was not entered into the diary, journal, or annals which David ordered to be written of all memorable events and transactions in his reign; and which were…”

“neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of King David--either because the undertaking was not completed, Levi and Benjamin not having been numbered (Ch1 21:6), or the full details in the hands of the enumerating officers were not reported to David, and, consequently, not registered in the public archives. the chronicles--were the daily records or annals of the king's reign. No notice was taken of this census in the historical register, as from the public calamity with which it was associated it would have stood as a painful record of the divine judgment against the king and the nation.”

“Because there fell wrath - literally, “And there fell wrath.” The falling of God’s wrath was not the cause of Joab’s ceasing. His motive is clearly stated in 1 Chronicles 21:6. See also the marginal references. Neither was the number ... - The meaning is, that in the portion of the chronicles of King David which treated of numbers - the number of the standing army, of the Levitical and priestly courses, the singers, etc. - the return of the number of the people made by Joab was not entered. The disastrous circumstances which followed on the taking of the census perhaps produced a feeling that God might he further provoked by its being put on record in the state archives. The numbers which…”

“began to number: 1Chr. 21:1-17; Sa2 24:1-15 was the number put: Heb. ascended the number 1 Chronicles 27:25”