So David'syoungmenretracedtheir wayand wentback;and they cameand toldhim according to allthesewords.
So Gadcameto Davidand toldhim, and saidto him, "Shall sevenyearsof faminecometo you in your land?Orwill you fleethreemonthsbeforeyour foeswhile they pursueyou? Or shall there be threedays'pestilencein your land?Nowconsiderand seewhatanswerI shall returnto Him who sentme."
Obeyyour leadersand submit[to them], for they keep watchoveryour soulsas those who will givean account.Let them dothiswith joyand not with grief,for thiswould be unprofitablefor you.
"Shall I then takemy breadand my waterand my meatthat I have slaughteredfor my shearers,and giveit to menwhoseoriginI do not know?"
Davidsaidto his men,"Each[of you] girdon his sword."So eachmangirdedon his sword.And Davidalsogirdedon his sword,and about fourhundredmenwentup behindDavidwhile two hundredstayedwith the baggage.
