1. SATAN [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2. David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3. And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4. But the king's word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5. Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6. But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king's order was detestable to Joab.
7. And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8. And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9. And the Lord said to Gad, David's seer,
10. Go and tell David, Thus says the Lord: I offer you three things; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.
11. So Gad came to David and said to him, Thus says the Lord: Take which one you will:
12. Either three years of famine, or three months of devastation before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord and pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him Who sent me.
13. And David said to Gad, I am in great and distressing perplexity; let me fall, I pray you, into the hands of the Lord, for very great and many are His mercies; but let me not fall into the hands of man.