1 Chronicles 8 — GNB

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ Benjamin had five sons. In order of age they were Bela, Ashbel, Aharah,

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² Nohah, and Rapha. ³ The descendants of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud,

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, ⁵ Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. ⁶ -7 The descendants of Ehud were Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. They were heads of families that lived in Geba, but which were forced out and went to live in Manahath. Gera, the father of Uzza and Ahihud, led them in this move.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ -9 Shaharaim divorced two wives, Hushim and Baara. Later, when he lived in the country of Moab, he married Hodesh and had seven sons: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. His sons all became heads of families. ¹¹ He also had two sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal. ¹² Elpaal had three sons: Eber, Misham, and Shemed. It was Shemed who built the cities of Ono and Lod and the surrounding villages.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Beriah and Shema were heads of families that settled in the city of Aijalon and drove out the people who lived in the city of Gath.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Beriah's descendants included Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, ¹⁵ Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ Michael, Ishpah, and Joha.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ Elpaal's descendants included Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, ¹⁸ Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Shimei's descendants included Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, ²¹ Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. ²² Shashak's descendants included Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,

List of David's Forces

²³ Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, ²⁴ Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ Iphdeiah, and Penuel.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ Jeroham's descendants included Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, ²⁷ Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri.

The Other Levites

²⁸ These were the ancestral heads of families and their principal descendants who lived in Jerusalem.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ Jeiel founded the city of Gibeon and settled there. His wife was named Maacah, ³⁰ and his oldest son, Abdon. His other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, ³¹ Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah,

David's Personal Advisers

³² and Mikloth, the father of Shimeah. Their descendants lived in Jerusalem near other families of their clan.

The Family of King Saul

³³ Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of King Saul. Saul had four sons: Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ³⁴ Jonathan was the father of Meribbaal, who was the father of Micah.

The Ancestors and Descendants of King Saul

(1 Chronicles 8.29-38)

³⁵ Micah had four sons: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. ³⁶ Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, who was the father of three sons: Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza,

Worship at Jerusalem and Gibeon

³⁷ Moza the father of Binea, Binea of Raphah, Raphah of Eleasah, and Eleasah of Azel. ³⁸ Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. ³⁹ Azel's brother Eshek had three sons: Ulam, Jeush, and Eliphelet. ⁴⁰ Ulam's sons were outstanding soldiers and archers. He had a hundred and fifty sons and grandsons in all. All those named above were members of the tribe of Benjamin.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ All the people of Israel were listed according to their families, and this information was recorded in The book of the Kings of Israel. The people of Judah had been deported to Babylon as punishment for their sins.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² The first to return to their property in the cities included Israelite citizens, priests, Levites, and Temple workers. ³ People from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh went to live in Jerusalem.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ -6 There were 690 families of the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. The descendants of Judah's son Perez had as their leader Uthai, the son of Ammihud and grandson of Omri. His other ancestors included Imri and Bani. The descendants of Judah's son Shelah had as their leader Asaiah, who was the head of his family. The descendants of Judah's son Zerah had Jeuel as their leader. ⁷ -8 The following members of the tribe of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem:
Sallu son of Meshullam, who was the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah
Ibneiah son of Jeroham
Elah, the son of Uzzi and grandson of Michri
Meshullam son of Shephatiah, who was the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah ⁹ There were 956 families of this tribe living there. All the men named above were heads of families.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ -12 The following priests lived in Jerusalem:
Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin
Azariah son of Hilkiah (the chief official in the Temple), whose ancestors included Meshullam, Zadok, Meraioth, and Ahitub
Adaiah son of Jeroham, whose ancestors included Pashhur and Malchijah
Maasai son of Adiel, whose ancestors included Jahzerah, Meshullam, Meshillemith, and Immer

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ The priests who were heads of families totaled 1,760. They were experts in all the work carried on in the Temple.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ -16 The following Levites lived in Jerusalem:
Shemaiah son of Hasshub, whose ancestors included Azrikam and Hashabiah, of the clan of Merari
Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal
Mattaniah son of Mica, whose ancestors included Zichri and Asaph
Obadiah son of Shemaiah, whose ancestors included Galal and Jeduthun
Berechiah, the son of Asa and grandson of Elkanah, who lived in the territory that belonged to the town of Netophah

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ The following Temple guards lived in Jerusalem: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman. Shallum was their leader. ¹⁸ Down to that time members of their clans had been stationed at the eastern entrance to the King's Gate. Formerly they had stood guard at the gates to the camps of the Levites.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Shallum, the son of Kore and grandson of Ebiasaph, together with his fellow members of the clan of Korah, was responsible for guarding the entrance to the Tent of the Lord's presence, just as their ancestors had been when they were in charge of the Lord's camp.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Phinehas son of Eleazar—may the Lord be with him!—had supervised them at one time. ²¹ Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was also a guard at the entrance to the Tent of the Lord's presence. ²² In all, 212 men were chosen as guards for the entrances and gates. They were registered according to the villages where they lived. It was King David and the prophet Samuel who had put their ancestors in these responsible positions.

List of David's Forces

²³ They and their descendants continued to guard the gates to the Temple. ²⁴ There was a gate facing in each direction, north, south, east, and west, and each had a chief guard.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ These guards were assisted by their relatives, who lived in the villages and who had to take turns at guard duty for seven days at a time.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ The four chief guards were Levites and had the final responsibility. They were also responsible for the rooms in the Temple and for the supplies kept there. ²⁷ They lived near the Temple, because it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning.

The Other Levites

²⁸ Other Levites were responsible for the utensils used in worship. They checked them out and checked them back in every time they were used.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ Others were in charge of the other sacred equipment, and of the flour, wine, olive oil, incense, and spices. ³⁰ But the responsibility for mixing the spices belonged to the priests. ³¹ A Levite named Mattithiah, oldest son of Shallum, of the clan of Korah, was responsible for preparing the baked offerings.

David's Personal Advisers

³² Members of the clan of Kohath were responsible for preparing the sacred bread for the Temple every Sabbath.

The Family of King Saul

³³ Some Levite families were responsible for the Temple music. The heads of these families lived in some of the Temple buildings and were free from other duties, because they were on call day and night. ³⁴ The men named above were heads of Levite families, according to their ancestral lines. They were the leaders who lived in Jerusalem.

The Ancestors and Descendants of King Saul

(1 Chronicles 8.29-38)

³⁵ Jeiel founded the city of Gibeon and settled there. His wife was named Maacah. ³⁶ His oldest son was Abdon, and his other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

Worship at Jerusalem and Gibeon

³⁷ Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth, ³⁸ the father of Shimeah. Their descendants lived in Jerusalem near other families of their clan. ³⁹ Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul. Saul had four sons: Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ⁴⁰ Jonathan was the father of Meribbaal, who was the father of Micah. ⁴¹ Micah had four sons: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. ⁴² Ahaz was the father of Jarah, who was the father of three sons: Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza, ⁴³ Moza the father of Binea, Binea of Rephaiah, Rephaiah of Eleasah, and Eleasah of Azel. ⁴⁴ Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ The Philistines fought a battle against the Israelites on Mount Gilboa. Many Israelites were killed there, and the rest of them, including King Saul and his sons, fled.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² But the Philistines caught up with them and killed three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. ³ The fighting was heavy around Saul, and he was hit by enemy arrows and badly wounded.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ He said to the young man carrying his weapons, “Draw your sword and kill me, to keep these godless Philistines from gloating over me.” But the young man was too terrified to do it. So Saul took his own sword and threw himself on it. ⁵ The young man saw that Saul was dead, so he too threw himself on his sword and died. ⁶ So Saul and his three sons all died together, and none of his descendants ever ruled. ⁷ When the Israelites who lived in Jezreel Valley heard that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and ran off. Then the Philistines came and occupied them.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ The day after the battle the Philistines went to plunder the corpses, and they found the bodies of Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa. ⁹ They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers with them throughout Philistia to tell the good news to their idols and to their people.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ They put his weapons in one of their temples and hung his head in the temple of their god Dagon. ¹¹ When the people of Jabesh in Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² the bravest men went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons and took them to Jabesh. They buried them there under an oak and fasted for seven days.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He disobeyed the Lord's commands; he tried to find guidance by consulting the spirits of the dead

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ instead of consulting the Lord. So the Lord killed him and gave control of the kingdom to David son of Jesse.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ All the people of Israel went to David at Hebron and said to him, “We are your own flesh and blood.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the Lord your God promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler.” ³ So all the leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them, they anointed him, and he became king of Israel, just as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ King David and all the Israelites went and attacked the city of Jerusalem. It was then known as Jebus, and the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land, were still living there. ⁵ The Jebusites told David he would never get inside the city, but David captured their fortress of Zion, and it became known as “David's City.” ⁶ David said, “The first man to kill a Jebusite will be commander of the army!” Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, led the attack and became commander. ⁷ Because David went to live in the fortress, it came to be called “David's City.”

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ He rebuilt the city, starting at the place where land was filled in on the east side of the hill, and Joab restored the rest of the city. ⁹ David grew stronger and stronger, because the Lord Almighty was with him.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ This is the list of David's famous soldiers. Together with the rest of the people of Israel, they helped him become king, as the Lord had promised, and they kept his kingdom strong. ¹¹ First was Jashobeam of the clan of Hachmon, the leader of “The Three.” He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them all in one battle. ¹² Next among the famous “Three” was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ He fought on David's side against the Philistines at the battle of Pas Dammim. He was in a barley field when the Israelites started to run away,

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ so he and his men took a stand in the middle of the field and fought the Philistines. The Lord gave him a great victory. ¹⁵ One day three of the thirty leading soldiers went to a rock where David was staying near Adullam Cave, while a band of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ At that time David was on a fortified hill, and a group of Philistines had occupied Bethlehem.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ David got homesick and said, “How I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem!” ¹⁸ The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ and said, “I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives!” So he refused to drink it. These were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Joab's brother Abishai was the leader of “The Famous Thirty.” He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and became famous among “The Thirty.” ²¹ He was the most famous of “The Thirty” and became their leader, but he was not as famous as “The Three.” ²² Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was a famous soldier; he did many brave deeds, including killing two great Moabite warriors. He once went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

List of David's Forces

²³ He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man seven and a half feet tall, who was armed with a gigantic spear. Benaiah attacked him with a club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it. ²⁴ Those were the brave deeds of Benaiah, who was one of “The Thirty.”

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ He was outstanding among “The Thirty,” but not as famous as “The Three.” David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ -47 These are the other outstanding soldiers:
Asahel, Joab's brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
Shammoth from Harod
Helez from Pelet
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
Sibbecai from Hushah
Ilai from Ahoh
Maharai from Netophah
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin
Benaiah from Pirathon
Hurai from the valleys near Gaash
Abiel from Arbah
Azmaveth from Bahurum
Eliahba from Shaalbon
Hashem from Gizon
Jonathan son of Shagee from Harar
Ahiam son of Sachar from Harar
Eliphal son of Ur
Hepher from Mecherah
Ahijah from Pelon
Hezro from Carmel
Naarai son of Ezbai
Joel brother of Nathan
Mibhar son of Hagri
Zelek from Ammon
Naharai, Joab's armorbearer, from Beeroth
Ira and Gareb from Jattir
Uriah the Hittite
Zabad son of Ahlai
Adina son of Shiza (a leading member of the tribe of Reuben, with his own group of thirty soldiers)
Hanan son of Maacah
Joshaphat from Mithan
Uzzia from Ashterah
Shamma and Jeiel, sons of Hotham, from Aroer
Jediael and Joha, sons of Shimri, from Tiz
Eliel from Mahavah
Jeribai and Joshaviah, sons of Elnaam
Ithmah from Moab
Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel from Zobah

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ David was living in Ziklag, where he had gone to escape from King Saul. There he was joined by many experienced, reliable soldiers,

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² members of the tribe of Benjamin, to which Saul belonged. They could shoot arrows and sling stones either right-handed or left-handed. ³ -7 They were under the command of Ahiezer and Joash, sons of Shemaah, from Gibeah. These were the soldiers:
Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth
Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth
Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous soldier and one of the leaders of “The Thirty”
Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johannan, and Jozabad, from Gederah
Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah, from Hariph
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, of the clan of Korah
Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham, from Gedor

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ These are the names of the famous, experienced soldiers from the tribe of Gad who joined David's troops when he was at the desert fort. They were experts with shields and spears, as fierce looking as lions and as quick as mountain deer. ⁹ -13 They were ranked in the following order: Ezer, Obadiah, Eliab, Mishmannah, Jeremiah, Attai, Eliel, Johanan, Elzabad, Jeremiah, and Machbannai.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Some of these men from the tribe of Gad were senior officers in command of a thousand men, and others were junior officers in command of a hundred. ¹⁵ In the first month of one year, the time when the Jordan River overflowed its banks, they crossed the river, scattering the people who lived in the valleys both east and west of the river.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ Once a group of men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah went out to the fort where David was.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ David went to meet them and said, “If you are coming as friends to help me, you are welcome here. Join us! But if you intend to betray me to my enemies, even though I have not tried to hurt you, the God of our ancestors will know it and punish you.” ¹⁸ God's spirit took control of one of them, Amasai, who later became the commander of “The Thirty,” and he called out,
“David son of Jesse, we are yours!
Success to you and those who help you!
God is on your side.” David welcomed them and made them officers in his army.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Some soldiers from the tribe of Manasseh went over to David's side when he was marching out with the Philistines to fight King Saul. Actually he did not help the Philistines, for their kings were afraid that he would betray them to his former master Saul, so they sent him back to Ziklag.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ These are the soldiers from Manasseh who went over to David's side when he was returning: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. In Manasseh they had all commanded units of a thousand men. ²¹ They served David as officers over his troops, because they were all outstanding soldiers. Later they were officers in the Israelite army. ²² Almost every day new men joined David's forces, so that his army was soon enormous.

List of David's Forces

²³ -37 When David was at Hebron, many trained soldiers joined his army to help make him king in place of Saul, as the Lord had promised. Their numbers were as follows: Judah: 6,800 well-equipped men, armed with shields and spears; Simeon: 7,100 well-trained men; Levi: 4,600 men;
Followers of Jehoiada, descendant of Aaron: 3,700 men;
Relatives of Zadok, an able young fighter: 22 leading men; Benjamin (Saul's own tribe): 3,000 men (most of the people of Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul); Ephraim: 20,800 men famous in their own clans; West Manasseh: 18,000 men chosen to go and make David king; Issachar: 200 leaders, together with the men under their command (these leaders knew what Israel should do and the best time to do it); Zebulun: 50,000 loyal and reliable men ready to fight, trained to use all kinds of weapons; Naphtali: 1,000 leaders, together with 37,000 men armed with shields and spears; Dan: 28,600 trained men; Asher: 40,000 men ready for battle; Tribes east of the Jordan—Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh: 120,000 men trained to use all kinds of weapons. ³⁸ All these soldiers, ready for battle, went to Hebron, determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the people of Israel were united in the same purpose. ³⁹ They spent three days there with David, feasting on the food and drink which their relatives had prepared for them. ⁴⁰ From as far away as the northern tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, people came bringing donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen loaded with food—flour, figs, raisins, wine, and olive oil. They also brought cattle and sheep to kill and eat. All this was an expression of the joy that was felt throughout the whole country.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King David consulted with all the officers in command of units of a thousand men and units of a hundred men.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² Then he announced to all the people of Israel, “If you give your approval and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send messengers to the rest of our people and to the priests and Levites in their towns, and tell them to assemble here with us. ³ Then we will go and get God's Covenant Box, which was ignored while Saul was king.”

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The people were pleased with the suggestion and agreed to it. ⁵ So David assembled the people of Israel from all over the country, from the Egyptian border in the south to Hamath Pass in the north, in order to bring the Covenant Box from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem. ⁶ David and the people went to the city of Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, in the territory of Judah, to get the Covenant Box of God, which bears the name of the Lord enthroned above the winged creatures. ⁷ At Abinadab's house they brought out the Covenant Box and put it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart,

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ while David and all the people danced with all their might to honor God. They sang and played musical instruments—harps, drums, cymbals, and trumpets. ⁹ As they came to the threshing place of Chidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Covenant Box.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ At once the Lord became angry with Uzzah and killed him for touching the Box. He died there in God's presence, ¹¹ and so that place has been called Perez Uzzah ever since. David was furious because the Lord had punished Uzzah in anger. ¹² Then David was afraid of God and said, “How can I take the Covenant Box with me now?”

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ So David did not take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he left it at the house of a man named Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ It stayed there three months, and the Lord blessed Obed Edom's family and everything that belonged to him.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King Hiram of Tyre sent a trade mission to David; he provided him with cedar logs and with stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² And so David realized that the Lord had established him as king of Israel and was making his kingdom prosperous for the sake of his people. ³ There in Jerusalem, David married more wives and had more sons and daughters.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ⁶ Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ⁷ Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ When the Philistines heard that David had now been made king over the whole country of Israel, their army went out to capture him. So David marched out to meet them. ⁹ The Philistines arrived at Rephaim Valley and began plundering.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ David asked God, “Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?” The Lord answered, “Yes, attack! I will give you the victory!” ¹¹ So David attacked them at Baal Perazim and defeated them. He said, “God has used me to break through the enemy army like a flood.” So that place is called Baal Perazim. ¹² When the Philistines fled, they left their idols behind, and David gave orders for them to be burned.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Soon the Philistines returned to the valley and started plundering it again.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Once more David consulted God, who answered, “Don't attack them from here, but go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees. ¹⁵ When you hear the sound of marching in the treetops, then attack, because I will be marching ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.”

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ David did what God had commanded, and so he drove the Philistines back from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ David's fame spread everywhere, and the Lord made every nation afraid of him.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ For his own use, David built houses in David's City. He also prepared a place for God's Covenant Box and put up a tent for it.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² Then he said, “Only Levites should carry the Covenant Box, because they are the ones the Lord chose to carry it and to serve him forever.” ³ So David summoned all the people of Israel to Jerusalem in order to bring the Covenant Box to the place he had prepared for it.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ Next he sent for the descendants of Aaron and for the Levites. ⁵ From the Levite clan of Kohath came Uriel, in charge of 120 members of his clan; ⁶ from the clan of Merari came Asaiah, in charge of 220; ⁷ from the clan of Gershon, Joel, in charge of 130;

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ from the clan of Elizaphan, Shemaiah, in charge of 200; ⁹ from the clan of Hebron, Eliel, in charge of 80;

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ and from the clan of Uzziel, Amminadab, in charge of 112. ¹¹ David called in the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the six Levites, Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. ¹² He said to the Levites, “You are the leaders of the Levite clans. Purify yourselves and your fellow Levites, so that you can bring the Covenant Box of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Because you were not there to carry it the first time, the Lord our God punished us for not worshiping him as we should have done.”

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to move the Covenant Box of the Lord God of Israel. ¹⁵ The Levites carried it on poles on their shoulders, as the Lord had commanded through Moses.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ David commanded the leaders of the Levites to assign various Levites to sing and to play joyful music on harps and cymbals.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ -21 From the clans of singers they chose the following men to play the brass cymbals: Heman son of Joel, his relative Asaph son of Berechiah, and Ethan son of Kushaiah, of the clan of Merari. To assist them they chose the following Levites to play the high-pitched harps: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah. To play the low-pitched harps they chose the following Levites: Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Azaziah, and the Temple guards, Obed Edom and Jeiel. ²² Because of his skill in music Chenaniah was chosen to be in charge of the levitical musicians.

List of David's Forces

²³ -24 Berechiah and Elkanah, along with Obed Edom and Jehiah, were chosen as guards for the Covenant Box. The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer were chosen to blow trumpets in front of the Covenant Box.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ So King David, the leaders of Israel, and the military commanders went to the house of Obed Edom to get the Covenant Box, and they had a great celebration.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ They sacrificed seven bulls and seven sheep, to make sure that God would help the Levites who were carrying the Covenant Box. ²⁷ David was wearing a robe made of the finest linen, and so were the musicians, Chenaniah their leader, and the Levites who carried the Box. David also wore a linen ephod.

The Other Levites

²⁸ So all the Israelites accompanied the Covenant Box up to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the sound of trumpets, horns, and cymbals, and the music of harps.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ As the Box was being brought into the city, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and leaping for joy, and she was disgusted with him.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ They took the Covenant Box to the tent which David had prepared for it and put it inside. Then they offered sacrifices and fellowship offerings to God.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² After David had finished offering the sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord ³ and distributed food to them all. He gave each man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a piece of roasted meat, and some raisins.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ David appointed some of the Levites to lead the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel, in front of the Covenant Box, by singing and praising him. ⁵ Asaph was appointed leader, with Zechariah as his assistant. Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel were to play harps. Asaph was to sound the cymbals, ⁶ and two priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, were to blow trumpets regularly in front of the Covenant Box. ⁷ It was then that David first gave Asaph and the other Levites the responsibility for singing praises to the Lord.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ Give thanks to the Lord, proclaim his greatness;
tell the nations what he has done.
⁹ Sing praise to the Lord;
tell the wonderful things he has done.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ Be glad that we belong to him;
let all who worship him rejoice!
¹¹ Go to the Lord for help,
and worship him continually.
¹² -13 You descendants of Jacob, God's servant,
descendants of Israel, whom God chose,
remember the miracles that God performed
and the judgments that he gave.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ The Lord is our God;
his commands are for all the world.
¹⁵ Never forget God's covenant,
which he made to last forever,

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ the covenant he made with Abraham,
the promise he made to Isaac.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ The Lord made a covenant with Jacob,
one that will last forever.
¹⁸ “I will give you the land of Canaan,” he said.
“It will be your own possession.”

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ God's people were few in number,
strangers in the land of Canaan.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ They wandered from country to country,
from one kingdom to another.
²¹ But God let no one oppress them;
to protect them, he warned the kings:
²² “Don't harm my chosen servants;
do not touch my prophets.”

List of David's Forces

²³ Sing to the Lord, all the world!
Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us.
²⁴ Proclaim his glory to the nations,
his mighty deeds to all peoples.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ The Lord is great and is to be highly praised;
he is to be honored more than all the gods.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ The gods of all other nations are only idols,
but the Lord created the heavens.
²⁷ Glory and majesty surround him,
power and joy fill his Temple.

The Other Levites

²⁸ Praise the Lord, all people on earth,
praise his glory and might.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ Praise the Lord's glorious name;
bring an offering and come into his Temple.
Bow down before the Holy One when he appears;
³⁰ tremble before him, all the earth!
The earth is set firmly in place and cannot be moved.
³¹ Be glad, earth and sky!
Tell the nations that the Lord is king.

David's Personal Advisers

³² Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
be glad, fields, and everything in you!

The Family of King Saul

³³ The trees in the woods will shout for joy
when the Lord comes to rule the earth.
³⁴ Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good;
his love is eternal.

The Ancestors and Descendants of King Saul

(1 Chronicles 8.29-38)

³⁵ Say to him, “Save us, O God our Savior;
gather us together; rescue us from the nations,
so that we may be thankful
and praise your holy name.”
³⁶ Praise the Lord, the God of Israel!
Praise him now and forever! Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord.

Worship at Jerusalem and Gibeon

³⁷ King David put Asaph and the other Levites in permanent charge of the worship that was held at the place where the Covenant Box was kept. They were to perform their duties there day by day. ³⁸ Obed Edom son of Jeduthun and sixty-eight men of his clan were to assist them. Hosah and Obed Edom were in charge of guarding the gates. ³⁹ Zadok the priest and his fellow priests, however, were in charge of the worship of the Lord at the place of worship in Gibeon. ⁴⁰ Every morning and evening they were to burn sacrifices whole on the altar in accordance with what was written in the Law which the Lord gave to Israel. ⁴¹ There with them were Heman and Jeduthun and the others who were specifically chosen to sing praises to the Lord for his eternal love. ⁴² Heman and Jeduthun also had charge of the trumpets and cymbals and the other instruments which were played when the songs of praise were sung. The members of Jeduthun's clan were in charge of guarding the gates. ⁴³ Then everyone went home, and David went home to spend some time with his family.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King David was now living in his palace. One day he sent for the prophet Nathan and said to him, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but the Lord's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!”

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² Nathan answered, “Do whatever you have in mind, because God is with you.” ³ But that night God said to Nathan,

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ “Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. ⁵ From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now I have never lived in a temple; I have always lived in tents and moved from place to place. ⁶ In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.’ ⁷ “So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. ⁹ -10 I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to defeat all your enemies and to give you descendants. ¹¹ When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. ¹² He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ I will put him in charge of my people and my kingdom forever. His dynasty will never end.’” ¹⁵ Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, “I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ Yet now you are doing even more; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come, and you, Lord God, are already treating me like someone great. ¹⁸ What more can I say to you! You know me well, and yet you honor me, your servant.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ It was your will and purpose to do this for me and to show me my future greatness.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Lord, there is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God. ²¹ There is no other nation on earth like Israel, whom you rescued from slavery to make them your own people. The great and wonderful things you did for them spread your fame throughout the world. You rescued your people from Egypt and drove out other nations as your people advanced. ²² You have made Israel your own people forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

List of David's Forces

²³ “And now, O Lord, fulfill for all time the promise you made about me and my descendants, and do what you said you would. ²⁴ Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel.’ And you will preserve my dynasty for all time.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, my God, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ You, Lord, are God, and you have made this wonderful promise to me. ²⁷ I ask you to bless my descendants so that they will continue to enjoy your favor. You, Lord, have blessed them, and your blessing will rest on them forever.”

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ Some time later King David attacked the Philistines again and defeated them. He took out of their control the city of Gath and its surrounding villages.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² He also defeated the Moabites, who became his subjects and paid taxes to him. ³ Next, David attacked King Hadadezer of the Syrian state of Zobah, near the territory of Hamath, because Hadadezer was trying to gain control of the territory by the upper Euphrates River.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand cavalry troops, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He kept enough horses for a hundred chariots and crippled all the rest. ⁵ When the Syrians of Damascus sent an army to help King Hadadezer, David attacked it and killed twenty-two thousand men. ⁶ Then he set up military camps in their territory, and they became his subjects and paid taxes to him. The Lord made David victorious everywhere. ⁷ David captured the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officials and took them to Jerusalem.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ He also took a great quantity of bronze from Tibhath and Kun, cities ruled by Hadadezer. (Solomon later used this bronze to make the tank, the columns, and the bronze utensils for the Temple.) ⁹ King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated Hadadezer's entire army.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ So he sent his son Joram to greet King David and congratulate him for his victory over Hadadezer, against whom Toi had fought many times. Joram brought David presents made of gold, silver, and bronze. ¹¹ King David dedicated them for use in worship, along with the silver and gold he took from the nations he conquered—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek. ¹² Abishai, whose mother was Zeruiah, defeated the Edomites in Salt Valley and killed eighteen thousand of them.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ He set up military camps throughout Edom, and the people there became King David's subjects. The Lord made David victorious everywhere.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ David ruled over all Israel and made sure that his people were always treated fairly and justly. ¹⁵ Abishai's brother Joab was commander of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was in charge of the records;

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards; and King David's sons held high positions in his service.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ Some time later King Nahash of Ammon died, and his son Hanun became king.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² King David said, “I must show loyal friendship to Hanun, as his father Nahash did to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy. When they arrived in Ammon and called on King Hanun, ³ the Ammonite leaders said to the king, “Do you think that it is in your father's honor that David has sent these men to express sympathy to you? Of course not! He has sent them here as spies to explore the land, so that he can conquer it!”

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ Hanun seized David's messengers, shaved off their beards, cut off their clothes at the hips, and sent them away. ⁵ They were too ashamed to return home. When David heard what had happened, he sent word for them to stay in Jericho and not return until their beards had grown again. ⁶ King Hanun and the Ammonites realized that they had made David their enemy, so they paid nearly forty tons of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Upper Mesopotamia and from the Syrian states of Maacah and Zobah. ⁷ The thirty-two thousand chariots they hired and the army of the king of Maacah came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites too came out from all their cities and got ready to fight.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ When David heard what was happening, he sent out Joab and the whole army. ⁹ The Ammonites marched out and took up their position at the entrance to Rabbah, their capital city, and the kings who had come to help took up their position in the open countryside.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ Joab saw that the enemy troops would attack him in front and from the rear, so he chose the best of Israel's soldiers and put them in position facing the Syrians. ¹¹ He placed the rest of his troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who put them in position facing the Ammonites. ¹² Joab said to him, “If you see that the Syrians are defeating me, come and help me, and if the Ammonites are defeating you, I will go and help you.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord's will be done.”

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Joab and his men advanced to attack, and the Syrians fled. ¹⁵ When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running away, they fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab went back to Jerusalem.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ The Syrians realized that they had been defeated by the Israelites, so they brought troops from the Syrian states on the east side of the Euphrates River and placed them under the command of Shobach, commander of the army of King Hadadezer of Zobah.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ When David heard of it, he gathered the Israelite troops, crossed the Jordan River, and put them in position facing the Syrians. The fighting began, ¹⁸ and the Israelites drove the Syrian army back. David and his men killed seven thousand Syrian chariot drivers and forty thousand foot soldiers. They also killed the Syrian commander, Shobach.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ When the kings who were subject to Hadadezer realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ The Syrians were never again willing to help the Ammonites.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ The following spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, Joab led out the army and invaded the land of Ammon; King David, however, stayed in Jerusalem. They besieged the city of Rabbah, attacked it, and destroyed it.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² The Ammonite idol Molech had a gold crown which weighed about seventy-five pounds. In it there was a jewel, which David took and put in his own crown. He also took a large amount of loot from the city. ³ He took the people of the city and put them to work with saws, iron hoes, and axes. He did the same to the people of all the other towns of Ammon. Then he and his men returned to Jerusalem.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ Later on, war broke out again with the Philistines at Gezer. This was when Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Sippai, and the Philistines were defeated. ⁵ There was another battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath, whose spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. ⁶ Another battle took place at Gath, where there was a giant with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He was a descendant of the ancient giants. ⁷ He defied the Israelites, and Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shammah, killed him.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ These three, who were killed by David and his men, were descendants of the giants at Gath.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ Satan wanted to bring trouble on the people of Israel, so he made David decide to take a census.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² David gave orders to Joab and the other officers, “Go through Israel, from one end of the country to the other, and count the people. I want to know how many there are.” ³ Joab answered, “May the Lord make the people of Israel a hundred times more numerous than they are now! Your Majesty, they are all your servants. Why do you want to do this and make the whole nation guilty?”

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ But the king made Joab obey the order. Joab went out, traveled through the whole country of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem. ⁵ He reported to King David the total number of men capable of military service: 1,100,000 in Israel and 470,000 in Judah. ⁶ Because Joab disapproved of the king's command, he did not take any census of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin. ⁷ God was displeased with what had been done, so he punished Israel.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ David said to God, “I have committed a terrible sin in doing this! Please forgive me. I have acted foolishly.” ⁹ Then the Lord said to Gad, David's prophet,

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ “Go and tell David that I am giving him three choices. I will do whichever he chooses.” ¹¹ Gad went to David, told him what the Lord had said, and asked, “Which is it to be? ¹² Three years of famine? Or three months of running away from the armies of your enemies? Or three days during which the Lord attacks you with his sword and sends an epidemic on your land, using his angel to bring death throughout Israel? What answer shall I give the Lord?”

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ David replied to Gad, “I am in a desperate situation! But I don't want to be punished by people. Let the Lord himself be the one to punish me, because he is merciful.”

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ So the Lord sent an epidemic on the people of Israel, and seventy thousand of them died. ¹⁵ Then he sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but he changed his mind and said to the angel, “Stop! That's enough!” The angel was standing by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ David saw the angel standing in midair, holding his sword in his hand, ready to destroy Jerusalem. Then David and the leaders of the people—all of whom were wearing sackcloth—bowed low, with their faces touching the ground.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ David prayed, “O God, I am the one who did wrong. I am the one who ordered the census. What have these poor people done? Lord, my God, punish me and my family, and spare your people.” ¹⁸ The angel of the Lord told Gad to command David to go and build an altar to the Lord at Araunah's threshing place.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ David obeyed the Lord's command and went, as Gad had told him to.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ There at the threshing place Araunah and his four sons were threshing wheat, and when they saw the angel, the sons ran and hid. ²¹ As soon as Araunah saw King David approaching, he left the threshing place and bowed low, with his face touching the ground. ²² David said to him, “Sell me your threshing place, so that I can build an altar to the Lord, to stop the epidemic. I'll give you the full price.”

List of David's Forces

²³ “Take it, Your Majesty,” Araunah said, “and do whatever you wish. Here are these oxen to burn as an offering on the altar, and here are the threshing boards to use as fuel, and wheat to give as an offering. I give it all to you.” ²⁴ But the king answered, “No, I will pay you the full price. I will not give as an offering to the Lord something that belongs to you, something that costs me nothing.”

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ And he paid Araunah six hundred gold coins for the threshing place.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ He built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He prayed, and the Lord answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices on the altar. ²⁷ The Lord told the angel to put his sword away, and the angel obeyed.

The Other Levites

²⁸ David saw by this that the Lord had answered his prayer, so he offered sacrifices on the altar at Araunah's threshing place.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ The Tent of the Lord's presence which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar on which sacrifices were burned were still at the place of worship at Gibeon at this time; ³⁰ but David was not able to go there to worship God, because he was afraid of the sword of the Lord's angel.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ So David said, “This is where the Temple of the Lord God will be. Here is the altar where the people of Israel are to offer burnt offerings.”

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² King David gave orders for all the foreigners living in the land of Israel to assemble, and he put them to work. Some of them prepared stone blocks for building the Temple. ³ He supplied a large amount of iron for making nails and clamps for the wooden gates, and so much bronze that no one could weigh it.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ He had the people of Tyre and Sidon bring him a large number of cedar logs. ⁵ David thought, “The Temple that my son Solomon is to build must be splendid and world-famous. But he is young and inexperienced, so I must make preparations for it.” So David got large amounts of the materials ready before he died. ⁶ He sent for his son Solomon and commanded him to build a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. ⁷ David said to him, “Son, I wanted to build a temple to honor the Lord my God.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ But the Lord told me that I had killed too many people and fought too many wars. And so, because of all the bloodshed I have caused, he would not let me build a temple for him. ⁹ He did, however, make me a promise. He said, ‘You will have a son who will rule in peace, because I will give him peace from all his enemies. His name will be Solomon, because during his reign I will give Israel peace and security.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ He will build a temple for me. He will be my son, and I will be his father. His dynasty will rule Israel forever.’” ¹¹ David continued, “Now, son, may the Lord your God be with you, and may he keep his promise to make you successful in building a temple for him. ¹² And may the Lord your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ If you obey all the laws which the Lord gave to Moses for Israel, you will be successful. Be determined and confident, and don't let anything make you afraid.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ As for the Temple, by my efforts I have accumulated almost four thousand tons of gold and nearly forty thousand tons of silver to be used in building it. Besides that, there is an unlimited supply of bronze and iron. I also have wood and stone ready, but you must get more. ¹⁵ You have many workers. There are stonecutters to work in the quarries, and there are masons and carpenters, as well as a large number of skilled workers of every sort who can work

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Now begin the work, and may the Lord be with you.”

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ David commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon. ¹⁸ He said, “The Lord your God has been with you and given you peace on all sides. He let me conquer all the people who used to live in this land, and they are now subject to you and to the Lord.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Now serve the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Start building the Temple, so that you can place in it the Covenant Box of the Lord and all the other sacred objects used in worshiping him.”

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ When David was very old, he made his son Solomon king of Israel.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² King David brought together all the Israelite leaders and all the priests and Levites. ³ He took a census of all the male Levites aged thirty or older. The total was thirty-eight thousand.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The king assigned twenty-four thousand to administer the work of the Temple, six thousand to keep records and decide disputes, ⁵ four thousand to do guard duty, and four thousand to praise the Lord, using the musical instruments provided by the king for this purpose. ⁶ David divided the Levites into three groups, according to their clans: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. ⁷ Gershon had two sons: Ladan and Shimei.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ Ladan had three sons: Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel, ⁹ who were the heads of the clans descended from Ladan. (Shimei had three sons: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.)

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ -11 Shimei had four sons: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah, in order of age. Jeush and Beriah did not have many descendants, so they were counted as one clan. ¹² Kohath had four sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ His oldest son, Amram, was the father of Aaron and Moses. (Aaron and his descendants were set apart to be in charge of the sacred objects forever, to burn incense in the worship of the Lord, to serve him, and to bless the people in his name.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ But the sons of Moses, the man of God, were included among the Levites.) ¹⁵ Moses had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ The leader among Gershom's sons was Shebuel.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ Eliezer had only one son, Rehabiah, but Rehabiah had many descendants. ¹⁸ Kohath's second son, Izhar, had a son, Shelomith, the head of the clan.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Kohath's third son, Hebron, had four sons: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Kohath's fourth son, Uzziel, had two sons, Micah and Isshiah. ²¹ Merari had two sons, Mahli and Mushi. Mahli also had two sons, Eleazar and Kish, ²² but Eleazar died without having any sons, only daughters. His daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish.

List of David's Forces

²³ Merari's second son, Mushi, had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. ²⁴ These were the descendants of Levi, by clans and families, every one of them registered by name. Each of his descendants, twenty years of age or older, had a share in the work of the Lord's Temple.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given peace to his people, and he himself will live in Jerusalem forever.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ So there is no longer any need for the Levites to carry the Tent of the Lord's presence and all the equipment used in worship.” ²⁷ On the basis of David's final instructions all Levites were registered for service when they reached the age of twenty,

The Other Levites

²⁸ and were assigned the following duties: to help the priests descended from Aaron with the Temple worship, to take care of its courtyards and its rooms, and to keep undefiled everything that is sacred;

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ to be responsible for the bread offered to God, the flour used in offerings, the wafers made without yeast, the baked offerings, and the flour mixed with olive oil; to weigh and measure the Temple offerings; ³⁰ and to praise and glorify the Lord every morning and every evening ³¹ and whenever offerings to the Lord are burned on the Sabbath, the New Moon Festival, and other festivals. Rules were made specifying the number of Levites assigned to do this work each time. The Levites were assigned the duty of worshiping the Lord for all time.

David's Personal Advisers

³² They were given the responsibility of taking care of the Tent of the Lord's presence and the Temple, and of assisting their relatives, the priests descended from Aaron, in the Temple worship.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ These are the groups to which the descendants of Aaron belong. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and left no descendants, so their brothers Eleazar and Ithamar became priests. ³ King David organized the descendants of Aaron into groups according to their duties. He was assisted in this by Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and by Ahimelech, a descendant of Ithamar.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The descendants of Eleazar were organized into sixteen groups, while the descendants of Ithamar were organized into eight; this was done because there were more male heads of families among the descendants of Eleazar. ⁵ Since there were Temple officials and spiritual leaders among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar, assignments were made by drawing lots. ⁶ The descendants of Eleazar and of Ithamar took turns drawing lots. Then they were registered by Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite secretary. The king, his officials, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of the priestly families and of the Levite families, were all witnesses. ⁷ -18 This is the order in which the twenty-four family groups were given their assignments: 1) Jehoiarib; 2) Jedaiah; 3) Harim; 4) Seorim; 5) Malchijah; 6) Mijamin; 7) Hakkoz; 8) Abijah; 9) Jeshua; 10) Shecaniah; 11) Eliashib; 12) Jakim; 13) Huppah; 14) Jeshebeab; 15) Bilgah; 16) Immer; 17) Hezir; 18) Happizzez; 19) Pethahiah; 20) Jehezkel; 21) Jachin; 22) Gamul; 23) Delaiah; 24) Maaziah.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ These men were registered according to their assignments for going to the Temple and performing the duties established by their ancestor Aaron in obedience to the commands of the Lord God of Israel.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ These are other heads of families descended from Levi: Jehdeiah, a descendant of Amram through Shebuel; ²¹ Isshiah, a descendant of Rehabiah; ²² Jahath, a descendant of Izhar through Shelomith;

List of David's Forces

²³ Jeriah, Amariah, Jehaziel, and Jekameam, sons of Hebron, in order of age; ²⁴ Shamir, a descendant of Uzziel through Micah;

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ Zechariah, a descendant of Uzziel through Isshiah, Micah's brother;

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah, descendants of Merari. ²⁷ Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

The Other Levites

²⁸ -29 Mahli had two sons, Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish had one son, Jerahmeel. ³⁰ Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. These are the families of the Levites. ³¹ The head of each family and one of his younger brothers drew lots for their assignments, just as their relatives, the priests descended from Aaron, had done. King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites were witnesses.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King David and the leaders of the Levites chose the following Levite clans to lead the worship services: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. They were to proclaim God's messages, accompanied by the music of harps and cymbals. This is the list of persons chosen to lead the worship, with the type of service that each group performed:

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² The four sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. They were under the direction of Asaph, who proclaimed God's messages whenever the king commanded. ³ The six sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah. Under the direction of their father they proclaimed God's message, accompanied by the music of harps, and sang praise and thanks to the Lord.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The fourteen sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. ⁵ God gave to Heman, the king's prophet, these fourteen sons and also three daughters, as he had promised, in order to give power to Heman. ⁶ All of his sons played cymbals and harps under their father's direction, to accompany the Temple worship. And Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under orders from the king. ⁷ All these twenty-four men were experts; and their fellow Levites were trained musicians. There were 288 men in all.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ To determine the assignment of duties they all drew lots, whether they were young or old, experts or beginners. ⁹ -31 These 288 men were divided according to families into twenty-four groups of twelve, with a leader in charge of each group. This is the order in which they were on duty: 1) Joseph of the family of Asaph; 2) Gedaliah; 3) Zaccur; 4) Zeri; 5) Nethaniah; 6) Bukkiah; 7) Asharelah; 8) Jeshaiah; 9) Mattaniah; 10) Shimei; 11) Uzziel; 12) Hashabiah; 13) Shebuel; 14) Mattithiah; 15) Jerimoth; 16) Hananiah; 17) Joshbekashah; 18) Hanani; 19) Mallothi; 20) Eliathah; 21) Hothir; 22) Giddalti; 23) Mahazioth; 24) Romamti Ezer.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ These are the assignments of work for the Levites who served as Temple guards. From the clan of Korah there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, of the family of Asaph.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² He had seven sons, listed in order of age: Zechariah, Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel, ³ Elam, Jehohanan, and Eliehoenai.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ There was also Obed Edom, whom God blessed by giving him eight sons, listed in order of age: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sachar, Nethanel, ⁵ Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai. ⁶ -7 Obed Edom's oldest son, Shemaiah, had six sons: Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, Elihu, and Semachiah. They were important men in their clan because of their great ability; the last two were especially talented.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ Obed Edom's family furnished a total of sixty-two highly qualified men for this work. ⁹ Meshelemiah's family furnished eighteen qualified men.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ From the clan of Merari there was Hosah, who had four sons: Shimri (his father made him the leader, even though he was not the oldest son), ¹¹ Hilkiah, Tebaliah, and Zechariah. In all there were thirteen members of Hosah's family who were Temple guards. ¹² The Temple guards were divided into groups, according to families, and they were assigned duties in the Temple, just as the other Levites were.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Each family, regardless of size, drew lots to see which gate it would be responsible for.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ Shelemiah drew the east gate, and his son Zechariah, a man who always gave good advice, drew the north gate. ¹⁵ Obed Edom was allotted the south gate, and his sons were allotted to guard the storerooms.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ Shuppim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the upper road. Guard duty was divided into assigned periods, one after another.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ On the east, six guards were on duty each day, on the north, four, and on the south, four. Four guards were stationed at the storerooms daily, two at each storeroom. ¹⁸ Near the western pavilion there were four guards by the road and two at the pavilion itself.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ This is the assignment of guard duty to the clan of Korah and the clan of Merari.

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Others of their fellow Levites were in charge of the Temple treasury and the storerooms for gifts dedicated to God. ²¹ Ladan, one of the sons of Gershon, was the ancestor of several family groups, including the family of his son Jehiel. ²² Ladan's two other sons, Zetham and Joel, had charge of the Temple treasury and storerooms.

List of David's Forces

²³ Duties were also assigned to the descendants of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ²⁴ Shebuel, of the clan of Moses' son Gershom, was the chief official responsible for the Temple treasury.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ Through Gershom's brother Eliezer he was related to Shelomith. Eliezer was the father of Rehabiah, who was the father of Jeshaiah, the father of Joram, the father of Zichri, the father of Shelomith.

Summary of David's Reign

²⁶ Shelomith and the members of his family were in charge of all the gifts dedicated to God by King David, the heads of families, leaders of clan groups, and army officers. ²⁷ They took some of the loot they captured in battle and dedicated it for use in the Temple.

The Other Levites

²⁸ Shelomith and his family were in charge of everything that had been dedicated for use in the Temple, including the gifts brought by the prophet Samuel, by King Saul, by Abner son of Ner, and by Joab son of Zeruiah.

The Benjaminites in Gibeon and Jerusalem

Duties of Other Levites

²⁹ Among the descendants of Izhar, Chenaniah and his sons were assigned administrative duties: keeping records and settling disputes for the people of Israel. ³⁰ Among the descendants of Hebron, Hashabiah and seventeen hundred of his relatives, all outstanding men, were put in charge of the administration of all religious and civil matters in Israel west of the Jordan River. ³¹ Jeriah was the leader of the descendants of Hebron. In the fortieth year that David was king, an investigation was made of the family line of Hebron's descendants, and outstanding soldiers belonging to this family were found living at Jazer in the territory of Gilead.

David's Personal Advisers

³² King David chose twenty-seven hundred outstanding heads of families from Jeriah's relatives and put them in charge of administering all religious and civil matters in Israel east of the Jordan River—the territories of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ This is the list of the Israelite heads of families and clan leaders and their officials who administered the work of the kingdom. Each month of the year a different group of twenty-four thousand men was on duty under the commander for that month.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² -15 The following were the commanders for each month:
First month: Jashobeam son of Zabdiel (he was a member of the clan of Perez, a part of the tribe of Judah)
Second month: Dodai, a descendant of Ahohi (Mikloth was his second in command)
Third month: Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest; he was the leader of “The Thirty” (his son Ammizabad succeeded him as commander of this group)
Fourth month: Asahel, brother of Joab (his son Zebadiah succeeded him)
Fifth month: Shamhuth, a descendant of Izhar
Sixth month: Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Seventh month: Helez, an Ephraimite from Pelon
Eighth month: Sibbecai from Hushah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah, a part of the tribe of Judah)
Ninth month: Abiezer from Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin
Tenth month: Maharai from Netophah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah)
Eleventh month: Benaiah from Pirathon in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim
Twelfth month: Heldai from Netophah (he was a descendant of Othniel)

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ -22 This is the list of the administrators of the tribes of Israel:

List of David's Forces

²³ King David did not take a census of the people who were under the age of twenty, because of the Lord's promise to make the people of Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. ²⁴ Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, began to take a census, but he did not complete it. God punished Israel because of this census, so the final figures were never recorded in King David's official records.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem

Administrators of the Royal Property

²⁵ -31 This is the list of those who administered the royal property:
Royal storerooms: Azmaveth son of Adiel
Local storerooms: Jonathan son of Uzziah
Farm labor: Ezri son of Chelub
Vineyards: Shimei from Ramah
Wine cellars: Zabdi from Shepham
Olive and sycamore trees (in the western foothills): Baal Hanan from Geder
Olive oil storage: Joash
Cattle in the Plain of Sharon: Shitrai from Sharon
Cattle in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai
Camels: Obil, an Ishmaelite
Donkeys: Jehdeiah from Meronoth
Sheep and goats: Jaziz, a Hagrite

David's Personal Advisers

³² Jonathan, King David's uncle, was a skillful adviser and a scholar. He and Jehiel son of Hachmoni were in charge of the education of the king's sons.

The Family of King Saul

³³ Ahithophel was adviser to the king, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend and counselor. ³⁴ After Ahithophel died, Abiathar and Jehoiada son of Benaiah became advisers. Joab was commander of the royal army.

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King David commanded all the officials of Israel to assemble in Jerusalem. So all the officials of the tribes, the officials who administered the work of the kingdom, the leaders of the clans, the supervisors of the property and livestock that belonged to the king and his sons—indeed all the palace officials, leading soldiers, and important men—gathered in Jerusalem.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² David stood before them and addressed them: “My friends, listen to me. I wanted to build a permanent home for the Covenant Box, the footstool of the Lord our God. I have made preparations for building a temple to honor him, ³ but he has forbidden me to do it, because I am a soldier and have shed too much blood.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ The Lord, the God of Israel, chose me and my descendants to rule Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to provide leadership, and out of Judah he chose my father's family. From all that family it was his pleasure to take me and make me king over all Israel. ⁵ He gave me many sons, and out of them all he chose Solomon to rule over Israel, the Lord's kingdom. ⁶ “The Lord said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who will build my Temple. I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. ⁷ I will make his kingdom last forever if he continues to obey carefully all my laws and commands as he does now.’

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ “So now, my people, in the presence of our God and of this assembly of all Israel, the Lord's people, I charge you to obey carefully everything that the Lord our God has commanded us, so that you may continue to possess this good land and so that you may hand it on to succeeding generations forever.” ⁹ And to Solomon he said, “My son, I charge you to acknowledge your father's God and to serve him with an undivided heart and a willing mind. He knows all our thoughts and desires. If you go to him, he will accept you; but if you turn away from him, he will abandon you forever.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ You must realize that the Lord has chosen you to build his holy Temple. Now do it—and do it with determination.” ¹¹ David gave Solomon the plans for all the Temple buildings, for the storerooms and all the other rooms, and for the Most Holy Place, where sins are forgiven. ¹² He also gave him the plans for all he had in mind for the courtyards and the rooms around them, and for the storerooms for the Temple equipment and the gifts dedicated to the Lord.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ David also gave him the plans for organizing the priests and Levites to perform their duties, to do the work of the Temple, and to take care of all the Temple utensils.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ He gave instructions as to how much silver and gold was to be used for making the utensils, ¹⁵ for each lamp and lampstand,

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ for the silver tables, and for each gold table on which were placed the loaves of bread offered to God.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ He also gave instructions as to how much pure gold was to be used in making forks, bowls, and jars, how much silver and gold in making dishes, ¹⁸ and how much pure gold in making the altar on which incense was burned and in making the chariot for the winged creatures that spread their wings over the Lord's Covenant Box.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ King David said, “All this is contained in the plan written according to the instructions which the Lord himself gave me to carry out.”

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ King David said to his son Solomon, “Be confident and determined. Start the work and don't let anything stop you. The Lord God, whom I serve, will be with you. He will not abandon you, but he will stay with you until you finish the work to be done on his Temple. ²¹ The priests and the Levites have been assigned duties to perform in the Temple. Workers with every kind of skill are eager to help you, and all the people and their leaders are at your command.”

The Descendants of Benjamin

The People Who Returned from Captivity

The Death of King Saul

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

David's Early Followers from the Tribe of Benjamin

The Covenant Box Is Moved from Kiriath Jearim

David's Activities in Jerusalem

Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box

Nathan's Message to David

David's Military Victories

David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians

David Captures Rabbah

David Takes a Census

The Work Assigned to the Priests

The Temple Musicians

The Temple Guards

Military and Civil Organization

David's Instructions for the Temple

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ King David announced to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon is the one whom God has chosen, but he is still young and lacks experience. The work to be done is tremendous, because this is not a palace for people but a temple for the Lord God.

Preparations for Building the Temple

The Work of the Levites

² I have made every effort to prepare materials for the Temple—gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, precious stones and gems, stones for mosaics, and quantities of marble. ³ Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple.

Battles against Philistine Giants

⁴ I have given 115 tons of the finest gold and 265 tons of pure silver for decorating the walls of the Temple ⁵ and for all the objects which the skilled workers are to make. Now who else is willing to give a generous offering to the Lord?” ⁶ Then the heads of the clans, the officials of the tribes, the commanders of the army, and the administrators of the royal property volunteered to give ⁷ the following for the work on the Temple: 190 tons of gold, 380 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron.

David's Followers from the Tribe of Gad

Victory over the Philistines

A Song of Praise

(Psalms 105.1-15; 96.1-13; 106.1, 47, 48)

⁸ Those who had precious stones gave them to the Temple treasury, which was administered by Jehiel of the Levite clan of Gershon. ⁹ The people had given willingly to the Lord, and they were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.

The Priests Who Lived in Jerusalem

David's Famous Soldiers

David Praises God

¹⁰ There in front of the whole assembly King David praised the Lord. He said, “Lord God of our ancestor Jacob, may you be praised forever and ever! ¹¹ You are great and powerful, glorious, splendid, and majestic. Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all. ¹² All riches and wealth come from you; you rule everything by your strength and power; and you are able to make anyone great and strong.

The Benjaminites in Gath and Aijalon

¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name.

The Levites Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁴ “Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already. ¹⁵ You know, O Lord, that we pass through life like exiles and strangers, as our ancestors did. Our days are like a passing shadow, and we cannot escape death.

Followers from Benjamin and Judah

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

¹⁶ O Lord, our God, we have brought together all this wealth to build a temple to honor your holy name, but it all came from you and all belongs to you.

The Benjaminites in Jerusalem

The Temple Guards Who Lived in Jerusalem

¹⁷ I know that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you, and I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you. ¹⁸ Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, keep such devotion forever strong in your people's hearts and keep them always faithful to you.

Followers from Manasseh

¹⁹ Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations.”

The List of the Levites

Other Temple Duties

²⁰ Then David commanded the people, “Praise the Lord your God!” And the whole assembly praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and gave honor to the Lord and also to the king. ²¹ The following day they killed animals as sacrifices, dedicating them to the Lord, and then gave them to the people to eat. In addition, they sacrificed a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, which they burned whole on the altar. They also brought the offerings of wine. ²² So that day they were very happy as they ate and drank in the presence of the Lord. For a second time they proclaimed Solomon king. In the name of the Lord they anointed him as their ruler and Zadok as priest.

List of David's Forces

²³ So Solomon succeeded his father David on the throne which the Lord had established. He was a successful king, and the whole nation of Israel obeyed him. ²⁴ All the officials and soldiers, and even all of David's other sons, promised to be loyal to Solomon as king.

Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem