4
But the king's word prevailed against Jo'ab. So Jo'ab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came back to Jerusalem.
5
And Jo'ab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and in Judah four hundred and seventy thousand who drew the sword.
6
But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king's command was abhorrent to Jo'ab.
7
But God was displeased with this thing, and he smote Israel.
8
And David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, I pray thee, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly."
9
And 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.'"
11
So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Take which you will:
12
either 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 upon the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me."
13
Then 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 let me not fall into the hand of man."
14
So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel; and there fell seventy thousand men of Israel.