5
Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.
6
But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him.
7
This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.
8
Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”