4 However, the king’s command prevailed over Joab, who departed and traversed all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem.
5 Joab reported the census figures to David: of men capable of wielding a sword, there were in all Israel one million one hundred thousand, and in Judah four hundred and seventy thousand.
6 Levi and Benjamin, however, he did not include in the census, for the king’s command was repugnant to Joab.
7 This command was evil in the sight of God, and he struck Israel.
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in doing this thing. Take away your servant’s guilt, for I have acted very foolishly.”
9 Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, in these words:
10 Go, tell David: Thus says the Lord: I am laying out three options; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.