16 And Dovid lifted up his eyes, and saw the Malach Hashem stand between Ha'Aretz and HaShomayim, having a drawn cherev in his yad stretched out over Yerushalayim. Then Dovid and the Zekenim, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And Dovid said unto HaElohim, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is that have sinned and done harah indeed; but as for these tzon, what have they done? Let Thine Yad, Hashem Elohai, be on me, and on the Bais Avi, but not on Thy people, not with magefah (plague, see Isa 53:8 for fulfillment).
18 Then the Malach Hashem commanded Gad to say to Dovid, that Dovid should go up, and set up a Mizbe'ach unto Hashem in the goren (threshing floor) of Ornan the Yevusi.
19 And Dovid went up at the davar of Gad, which he spoke B'Shem Hashem.
20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the Malach, and his four banim with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing chittim (wheat).
21 And as Dovid came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw Dovid, and went out from the goren (threshing floor), and prostated himself to Dovid with his face to the ground.
22 Then Dovid said to Ornan, Give me the makom of this goren (threshing floor), that I may build a Mizbe'ach therein unto Hashem; thou shalt give it me for the kesef male (full price), that the magefah (plague) may be withdrawn from HaAm.