3
And Joab answered, the LORD make his people a hundred times more numerous than they [are]: but, my lord the king, [are] they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5
And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. And all [they of] Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] four hundred and seventy thousand men that drew sword.
6
But Levi and Benjamin he counted not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
7
And God was displeased with this thing, therefore he smote Israel.
8
And David said to God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do 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 tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee [three] things; choose thee one of them, that I may do [it] to thee.
11
So Gad came to David, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12
Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while the sword of thy enemies overtaketh [thee]; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13
And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great [are] his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.