4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, then came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave up the sum of the census of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew a sword.
6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin amongst them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel.
8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”
9 The Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,
10 “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘the Lord says, “I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.”’”