1 Chronicles 21:16-17, 27, 30

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Jehovah standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, 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 very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I pray thee, O Jehovah my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against thy people, that they should be plagued.

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

But David could not go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Jehovah.