داوود دعا کرده گفت: «خدایا، من گناه کردهام. من دستور سرشماری را صادر کردهام. این مردم چه گناهی مرتکب شدهاند؟ خداوندا، خدای من، مرا و خاندان مرا تنبیه کن و قوم را ببخشای.»
And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.