1 Chronicles 21:16-17, 27, 30

Then David raised his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered in sackcloth, fell on their faces. David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded the people to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done evil; but as for these sheep [the people of Israel], what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

Then the LORD commanded the [avenging] angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the LORD.