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 seventy thousand men who drew a sword.
6. But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among 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. Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,
10. “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “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, “Yahweh says, ‘Take your choice: