1 Chronicles 21:16-17

21:16 David looked up and saw the Lord’s messenger standing between the earth and sky with his sword drawn and in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. David and the leaders, covered with sackcloth, threw themselves down with their faces to the ground. 21:17 David said to God, “Was I not the one who decided to number the army? I am the one who sinned and committed this awful deed! As for these sheep – what have they done? O Lord my God, attack me and my family, but remove the plague from your people!”

1 Chronicles 21:27

21:27 The Lord ordered the messenger to put his sword back into its sheath.

1 Chronicles 21:30

21:30 But David could not go before it to seek God’s will, for he was afraid of the sword of the Lord’s messenger.