2 Samuel 24:15
So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men. So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.
The numbering of Israel that this pestilence punishes came from pride and reliance on human strength rather than dependence on God, to glory in increased numbers and strength, to compare former weakness with present greatness under his rule and take glory to himself, which displeased God and was contrary to His express command and would lead Israel to trust in numbers instead of the living God.
David was convicted and confessed his foolish sin before the numbering was finished, but repentance came too late to stop judgment because the word had already gone to the prophet offering David his choice of punishments.
David chose to fall into the hand of the Lord, a merciful God, rather than into the cruel mercies of wicked men.
The Lord then swiftly sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed, and seventy thousand men died from Dan even to Beer-sheba, while David and the elders mourned in deepest humiliation.
The terrible destruction was carried out by one angel, showing that angels were sent to bring the pestilence.
As the angel went to destroy Jerusalem, the angel was revealed to David and those with him in warlike garments with drawn sword stretched over Jerusalem, yet God in pity and love for His rebellious people bade the angel stay his work of death against Jerusalem.
In fear and compassion for the sheep, David confessed his own wickedness and begged God to save the people and let His hand be against him and his father's house and not upon the people.
David's repentance was accepted when God by His prophet bade him make atonement, and David refused Araunah's free threshing-floor and cattle and bought them for full price because he would not come before the Lord with an offering that cost him nothing.
Then he built an altar and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, which God answered by fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice and commanded the angel to put his sword into its sheath and cease destruction.
The judgment made clear that God was Israel's invisible Leader and that He is a God of justice as well as mercy.
The verse reveals the great destructive power that holy angels exercise when God commands, and that same destructive power can and will be exercised by evil angels when God permits.
Forces are now ready, waiting only for divine permission to spread desolation everywhere, and calamity follows when people are left beyond God's protection.
In the final great trouble and time of trouble, when protection is withdrawn and mercy no longer pleads and restraint is removed and Satan has full control, Satan will bring desolation and ruin on the whole earth and world more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.