2. And David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3. And Joab said, Jehovah add to his people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold: are they not all, my lord O king, my lord's servants? why does my lord require this thing? why should he become a trespass to Israel?
4. But the king's word prevailed against Joab; and Joab departed, and went through all Israel, and came again to Jerusalem.
5. And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. And all they of Israel were eleven hundred thousand men that drew sword; and of Judah, four hundred and seventy thousand men that drew sword.
6. But Levi and Benjamin he did not count among them; for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
7. And God was displeased on account of this thing, and he smote Israel.
8. And David said to God I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing; and now, I beseech thee, put away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9. And Jehovah spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,
10. Go and speak to David saying, Thus saith Jehovah: I offer thee three things; choose one of them, that I may do it unto thee.