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 evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on (h) thy people, that they should be plagued.
(h) Thus he both shows a true repentance and a fatherly care toward his people, who desire God to spare them, and to punish him and his.