1 Chronicles 21:1-12 ▼

1 And Satan stoode vp against Israel, and prouoked Dauid to nomber Israel.

2 Therefore Dauid said to Ioab, and to the rulers of the people, Go, and nomber Israel from Beer-sheba euen to Dan, and bring it to me, that I may knowe the nomber of them.

3 And Ioab answered, The Lord increase his people an hundreth times so many as they be, O my lord the King: are they not all my lords seruats? Wherefore doeth my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of trespasse to Israel?

4 Neuerthelesse the Kings word preuailed against Ioab; Ioab departed and went thorowe all Israel, and returned to Ierusalem.

5 And Ioab gaue the nomber and summe of the people vnto Dauid: and all Israel were eleuen hundreth thousande men that drewe sword: and Iudah was foure hundreth and seuentie thousande men that drewe sword.

6 But the Leuites and Beniamin counted he not among them: for the Kings worde was abominable to Ioab.

7 And God was displeased with this thing: therefore he smote Israel.

8 Then Dauid saide vnto God, I haue sinned greatly, because I haue done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, remooue the iniquitie of thy seruant: for I haue done very foolishly.

9 And the Lorde spake vnto Gad Dauids Seer, saying,

10 Goe and tell Dauid, saying, Thus saith the Lorde, I offer thee three thinges: choose thee one of them, that I may doe it vnto thee.

11 So Gad came to Dauid, and sayde vnto him, Thus saith the Lord, Take to thee

12 Either three yeeres famine, or three moneths to be destroyed before thine aduersaries, and the sworde of thine enemies to take thee, or els the sworde of the Lorde and pestilence in the lande three dayes, that the Angel of the Lorde may destroy throughout all the coastes of Israel: nowe therefore aduise thee, what word I shal bring againe to him that sent me.