1 Chronicles 21:5-13
English Standard Version
Chapter 21
5And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. 6But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king 's command was abhorrent to Joab.
7But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel.
8And David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly."
9And the Lord spoke to Gad, David 's seer, saying,
10"Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’"
11So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, ‘Choose what you will:
12either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me."
13Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man."
