The census of #numbers 1 began in the middle of counting the Omer, two weeks after the first Passover memorial and one month after setting up the Tabernacle. It only counted fighting men, which wasn't a matter of the worth of those counted, but of their function.

Numbering and naming a thing is a declaration of ownership or at least of authority. David counted Israel without God's permission and the whole nation suffered. Rome numbered Israel and claimed ownership, but where is the Empire now? Our God lives and he demands our ultimate allegiance above all others.
#bamidbar