1 Chronicles 21:16-17, 27, 30

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 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.

And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.

But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.