# count the people of Israel ... that I may know their number

It is apparent from [1 Chronicles 21:5](../21/05.md) that David wanted to count only the men who were able to fight.

# from Beersheba to Dan

The Israelites considered these two cities their most southern and most northern cities. David uses these cities to refer to all of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism]])

