10
"Go and give David this message: 'God's word: You have your choice of three punishments; choose one and I'll do the rest.'"
11
Gad delivered the message to David:
12
"Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God - an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?"
13
David told Gad, "They're all terrible! But I'd rather be punished by God whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands."
14
So God unleashed an epidemic in Israel - 70,000 Israelites died.