1 Chronicles 21:1-10 ▼

1 Then Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel.

2 So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their total count.”

3 But Joab said, “May Yahweh add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”

4 Nevertheless, the king’s word stood strong against Joab. So, Joab went out and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.

5 And Joab gave the total count of the census of the people to David. And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword.

6 But he did not number Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s command was abominable to Joab.

7 And this thing was displeasing in the sight of God, so He struck Israel.

8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Your slave, for I have acted very foolishly.”

9 And Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,

10 “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “I am offering you three things; choose for yourself one of them, and I will do that to you.”’”