3
Joab responded, "May the LORD multiply his people a hundred times over. But, Your Majesty, aren't they all your servants? Why are you trying to do this? Why do you wish to make Israel guilty of [this] sin?"
4
However, the king overruled Joab. So Joab left, went throughout Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.
5
Joab reported the census figures to David: In Israel there were 1,100,000 men who could serve in the army, and in Judah there were 470,000 who could serve in the army.
6
Joab didn't include Levi and Benjamin in the number because he was disgusted with the king's order.
7
God considered the census to be sinful, so he struck Israel [with a plague].
8
David said to God, "I have committed a terrible sin by doing this thing. Forgive me because I have acted very foolishly."
9
The LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer.
10
"Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I'm offering you three choices. Choose the one you want me to do to you.'"
11
When Gad came to David, he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Take your pick:
12
either three years of famine, or three months during which your enemies will chase you away when their swords catch up to you, or three days of the LORD's sword--a plague in the land with the Messenger of the LORD destroying the whole country of Israel.' Decide what answer I should give the one who sent me."
13
"I'm in a desperate situation," David told Gad. "Please let me fall into the LORD's hands because he is extremely merciful. But don't let me fall into human hands."