John Gill Commentary 1 Chronicles 21:17

"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 very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? let thy hand, I pray thee, O Jehovah my God, be against me, and against my father`s house; but not against thy people, that they should be plagued." — 1 Chronicles 21:17 (ASV)

(See Gill on 1 Chronicles 21:1).