שמואל ב, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ו׳

The journey of the army commander Joab across the land to conduct the census is not just a geographic route, but a strategic campaign marked by deliberate delay. As the delegation travels, they arrive at a newly established settlement with a sparse population. Joab's decision to pass through this specific area is highly intentional. By slowing down the counting process in a region with so few people, he hopes to buy valuable time. His ultimate goal is for David to regret initiating the census in the first place, allowing enough time for the king to send a messenger ordering Joab to halt the mission and return [רש״י].

Regarding the exact location of this new settlement, an early translation identifies it as the southern region, although the exact basis for this geographic interpretation remains unclear to some commentators [רד״ק]. From there, the census takers continue their journey northward. The primary approach among commentators is that they arrive at a specific location situated within the territory of the tribe of Dan [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Following this stop, Joab and his men alter their course, turning their path to head toward the city of Sidon [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].