... > Bible > Old Testament > story of David > the consolidation of David's kingship (2 Samuel 5, 8-10, 21-24) > David takes a census (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21) > God punishes Israel with three days of plague; the avenging angel with his sword drawn goes through the land; seventy thousand men are killed > David sees the avenging angel in Jerusalem; he prays to God > David sees the avenging angel in Jerusalem; he and the elders are praying, in mourning garments