2 Samuel 24:12
Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
The offer of three things to choose from was God's answer to David's transgression in numbering Israel, sent through His faithful prophet as a message giving David his choice of punishments. The numbering came after Israel had prospered and increased under David, until the nation became exalted and proud and forgot the Giver of their mercies. David himself in prosperity did not keep the humility and trust in God of his earlier life, but took glory to himself for his accession to the kingdom and, to compare former weakness with present prosperity, yielded to the temptation of the devil to number Israel. That act was displeasing to God and contrary to His express command, because it would lead Israel to rely on strength of numbers instead of the living God.
The numbering was not fully completed before David was convicted, saw his error, humbled himself, and confessed his great sin in foolishly numbering the people. His repentance came too late to stop the offer, because the word had already gone forth from the Lord to the prophet to carry the message. David's answer still showed confidence in God, choosing to fall into the hands of a merciful God rather than be left to the cruel mercies of wicked men.