2 Samuel 24:5

“And they passed over Jordan, etc.] To take the number of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh first: and pitched in Aroer; for it seems that Joab and the captains had the army with them, and the several captains under their command, partly to assist in numbering the people, and partly to keep them in awe, lest they should oppose them, not knowing what was the design of all this Aroer was a city given to the tribe of Gad, and rebuilt by them, (<043234>Numbers 32:34); on the right side of the city; that is, of Aroer, the south side of it, as the Targum, did Joab and his army pitch: that [lieth] in the midst of the river of Gad; which was the river Arnon, so called now…”

“they passed over Jordan--This census was taken first in the eastern parts of the Hebrew kingdom; and it would seem that Joab was accompanied by a military force, either to aid in this troublesome work, or to overawe the people who might display reluctance or opposition. the river of Gad--"Wady" would be a better term. It extends over a course estimated at about sixty miles, which, though in summer almost constantly dry, exhibits very evident traces of being swept over by an impetuous torrent in winter (see Deu 2:36).”

“Aroer - Aroer on the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:36 note). Aroer itself stood on the very edge of the precipitous cliff of the valley; and in the valley beneath, possibly in an island in the stream, stood another city which is here alluded to. River - Rather, “the valley” (margin). They passed from Aroer, northward to Gad, and so pitched at Jazer (see the marginal references), which is on the frontier of Gad and Reuben. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Aroer: Deu 2:36; Jos 13:9, Jos 13:16; Sa1 30:28; Isa 17:2 river: or, valley Jazer: Num 32:1, Num 32:3, Num 32:35; Isa 16:8, Isa 16:9 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 24:6”