6 Among these the Levites and the sons of Benjamin were not counted, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 And God was also displeased with this word; therefore, he smote Israel.
8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing; but now, I beseech thee, take away the iniquity of thy slave, for I have done very foolishly.
9 And the Lord spoke unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus hath the Lord said, I offer thee three things: choose one of them that I will do unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David and said unto him, Thus hath the Lord said, Choose thee,
12 either three years’ famine or three months to be destroyed before thy foes while the sword of thine enemies overtakes thee or else three days of 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.