Why does it say that Yo'av started counting Yisrael but did not finish?
'Rashi': This shows that it is improper to count them.
Radak: This shows that David's count was not Yo'av's count. Yo'av omitted two Shevatim (but David counted all of them).
Malbim: Yo'av began counting also those below 20, but ceased, because there was anger about this and a plague started.
Why does it mention the anger against Yisrael?
'Rashi': Even though Yo'av did not finish, there was anger due to counting [even part], since [David] intended to count all of Yisrael, and transgress "Im Yuchal Ish Limnos Es Afar ha'Aretz [Gam Zar'acha Yimaneh]", "Habet Na ha'Shamaymah [u'Sfor ha'Kochavim Im Tuchal? Ko Yihyeh Zar'echa]" (Bereishis 13:16, 15:5).
Malbim: David wanted to count also those below 20 and write them in the king's ledger, so at a time of war he will be able to call everyone and they will be liable to come, and it will be known who is missing and he will be punished. Due to the anger and plague, the matter was canceled; David did not count from 20 and below. If children are not counted, there is room for a hidden miracle, i.e. great increase.
Why does it say "v'Lo Alah ha'Mispar"?
'Rashi': This Sefer says that there were 1,100,000 of Yisrael and 470,000 of Yehudah (21:5). In Shmuel II, 24:9 it says 800,000 of Yisrael and 500,000 of Yehudah, for Yo'av did not finish. Do not say that the counts were at different times. Rather, there it did not gives the full number, for David was pained that the count caused a plague. Here it gives the full number 1 , for David's honor - the anger was not groundless, for he already counted many 2 . Also, it is David's honor that so many people were his servants!
Radak: Refer to 27:24:1:2.
Malbim: The number in Sefer Shmuel is smaller, for it excludes those below 20, and it excludes Levi and Binyamin. Yo'av did not give their number due to the anger.
If so, why is the number for Yehudah smaller here? (PF)
Perhaps this is Hashem's honor, that He did not get angry without cause. How is it David's honor? Perhaps it is lest people ask why his merit did not protect Yisrael. Or, do not say that Yisrael were punished due to his mistake. Also they were liable - so many consented to be counted! (PF)
