5. He reported to King David the total number of men capable of military service: 1,100,000 in Israel, and 470,000 in Judah.
6. Because Joab disapproved of the king's command, he did not take any census of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin.
7. God was displeased with what had been done, so he punished Israel.
8. David said to God, “I have committed a terrible sin in doing this! Please forgive me. I have acted foolishly.”
9. Then the Lord said to Gad, David's prophet,
10. “Go and tell David that I am giving him three choices. I will do whichever he chooses.”
11. Gad went to David, told him what the Lord had said, and asked, “Which is it to be?