2 Samuel 24:10-17 - The Lord's Judgment Of David's Sin

¹⁰ After David had everyone counted, he felt guilty and told Jehovah: What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Jehovah, please forgive me.

¹¹ When David got up in the morning, Jehovah spoke his word to the prophet Gad, David's seer. ¹² Go tell David: 'This is what Jehovah says: I offer you three choices. Choose the one you want me to do to you.'

¹³ Gad told David the three choices as follows: Seven years of famine could come to you and your land. You could flee from your enemies as they pursue you for three months. Or there could be a three-day plague in your land? Think it over, and decide what answer I should give the one who sent me.

¹⁴ I am in a desperate situation, David told Gad. Please let us fall into Jehovah's hands because he is very merciful. But do not let me fall into human hands.

¹⁵ So Jehovah sent a plague among the Israelites from that morning until the time he had chosen. Of the people from Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand died. ¹⁶ When the angel stretched out his arm to destroy Jerusalem, Jehovah changed his mind about the disaster. Enough! He said to the angel who was destroying the people. Put down your weapon. The angel of Jehovah was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

¹⁷ David saw the angel who had been killing the people. He said to Jehovah: I have sinned. I have done wrong. What have these sheep done? Please let your punishment be against me and against my father's family.