1 Chronicles 21:16-17, 27, 30

David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD in the sky, holding his sword drawn and pointed at Jerusalem. Then David and the elders bowed facedown on the ground. They were wearing rough cloth to show their grief. David said to God, “I am the one who sinned and did wrong. I gave the order for the people to be counted. These people only followed me like sheep. They did nothing wrong. LORD my God, please punish me and my family, but stop the terrible disease that is killing your people.”

Then the LORD commanded the angel to put his sword back into its holder.

But David could not go to the Holy Tent to speak with God, because he was afraid of the angel of the LORD and his sword.