1 Chronicles 21:16-17, 27, 30

And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.”

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

but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.