1 Chronicles 21:1-10 ▼

1 Then Satan (the adversary) rose up against Israel (he wrestles with God) and incited David (beloved) to take a census of Israel.

2 So David (beloved) said to Joab (YHWH is father) and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites (God prevails) from (well of seven) Beersheba to Dan (He has judged) and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

3 But Joab (YHWH is father) replied, “May the LORD {YHWH} multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel (he wrestles with God)?”

4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab (YHWH is father). So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel (he wrestles with God), and then he returned to Jerusalem (city of peace).

5 And Joab (YHWH is father) reported to David (beloved) the total number of the troops. In all Israel (he wrestles with God) there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah (praised).

6 But Joab did not include Levi (joined to) and Benjamin (son of the right hand) in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him (YHWH is father).

7 This command was also evil in the sight of God {Elohim}; so He struck Israel (he wrestles with God).

8 Then David (beloved) said to God {Elohim}, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

9 And the LORD {YHWH} instructed Gad (troop), David’s (beloved) seer,

10 “Go and tell David (beloved) that this is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’”