Gad Presents The Choices

10After that, David’s heart struck him after he had counted the people. And David said to Yahweh, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. And now, Yahweh, please take away the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

11When David arose in the morning, the word of Yahweh had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer, saying,

12Go and speak to David, ‘Thus says Yahweh: I am setting three things before you. Choose one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you.’

13So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your adversaries while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days of pestilence in your land? Now know and see what answer I should return to the one who sent me.”

14Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall, please, into the hand of Yahweh, for his mercies are many; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”