1 Chronicles 21:1-10 ▼

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

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

3 And Joab said, “May the LORD 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 prevailed against Joab. Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.

5 And Joab gave the number of the census of all 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 abhorrent to Joab.

7 And God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel.

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

9 And the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,

10 “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I offer you three things; choose for yourself one of them, that I may do it to you.”’”