7 David’s order to count the people made God angry, and he punished Israel. 8 Davidprayed, "I am your servant. But what I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Please forgive me."
9 The Lordsaid to Gad, one of David’s prophets, 10 "Tell Davidthat I will punish him in one of three ways. But he will have to choose which one it will be."
11 Gadwent to Davidand told him:
You must choose how the Lordwill punish you: 12 Will there be three years when the land won’t grow enough food for its people? Or will your enemies constantly defeat you for three months? Or will the Lordsend a horrible disease to strike your land for three days? Think about it and decide, because I have to give your answer to God who sent me.
13 Davidwas miserable and said, "It’s a terrible choice to make! But the Lordis kind, and I’d rather be punished by him than by anyone else."
14 So the Lordsent a horrible disease on Israel, and 70,000 Israelites died. 15 Then he sent an angel to destroy the city of Jerusalem. But just as the angel was about to do that, the Lordfelt sorry for all the suffering he had caused the people, and he told the angel, "Stop! They have suffered enough." This happened at the threshing place that belonged to Araunah21.15 Araunah: The Hebrew text has "Ornan," another spelling of Araunah (see 2 Samuel 24.16).the Jebusite.
16 Davidsaw the Lord's angel in the air, holding a sword over Jerusalem. He and the leaders of Israel, who were all wearing sackcloth,21.16 sackcloth: A rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat or camel hair and used to make grain sacks. It was worn in times of trouble or sorrow.bowed with their faces to the ground, 17 and Davidprayed, "It’s my fault! I sinned by ordering the people to be counted. They have done nothing wrong—they are innocent sheep. LordGod, please punish me and my family. Don’t let the disease wipe out your people."
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
Jerusalem is the city of the house of God, where children of Judah and Benjamin lived; the Babylonian army broke down the walls of the city (2 Kings 25:10).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).
Jerusalem is the city of the house of God, where children of Judah and Benjamin lived; the Babylonian army broke down the walls of the city (2 Kings 25:10).
David, son of Jesse, was a shepherd in Bethlehem when Samuel anointed him; he defeated Goliath, reigned over Israel in Jerusalem, and wrote many of the psalms (1 Samuel 16:13).