5 Joab reported the census figures to David: In Israel there were 1,100,000 men who could serve in the army, and in Judah there were 470,000 who could serve in the army.
6 Joab didn’t include Levi and Benjamin in the number because he was disgusted with the king’s order.
7 God considered the census to be sinful, so he struck Israel ⌊with a plague⌋.
8 David said to God, “I have committed a terrible sin by doing this thing. Forgive me because I have acted very foolishly.”
9 The Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer.
10 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I’m offering you three choices. Choose the one you want me to do to you.’ ”
11 When Gad came to David, he said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your pick: