4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and finally came back to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the number of the census of the people to David: in all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding men; Judah had 470,000 sword-wielding men.
6 But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s word was detestable to Joab.
7 But God was displeased with this thing and He struck Israel.
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. But now, I entreat you, take away the guilt of Your servant for I have behaved very foolishly.”
9 Then Adonai spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying:
10 “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Adonai, “I offer you three things; choose one of them and I will bring it upon you.”’”