The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
1 CHRONICLES 15 [†]David [1] built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and d pitched a tent for it. 2Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry e the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. 3 f And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD g to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4[†]And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and h the Levites: 5of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, with 120 of his brothers; 6of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, with 220 of his brothers; 7of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, with 130 of his brothers; 8of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, with 200 of his brothers; 9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 of his brothers; 10of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, with 112 of his brothers. 11[†]Then David summoned the priests i Zadok and j Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. k Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, l to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 m Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 14So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. 15And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders n with the poles, o as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.
16[†]David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on p musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. 17[†]So the Levites appointed q Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers r Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, s Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 19The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound bronze cymbals; 20Zechariah, t Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to u Alamoth; 21but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, v Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with lyres according to w the Sheminith. 22Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it. 23Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. 24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should x blow the trumpets before the ark of God. v Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.
25[†] y So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of v Obed-edom with rejoicing. 26And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed z seven bulls and seven rams. 27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod. 28So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, a trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on b harps and lyres.
29And as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.
The Ark Placed in a Tent
1 CHRONICLES 16 [†]And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside c the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD 3and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, [1] and a cake of raisins.
4[†]Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 5 d Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. 7Then on that day e David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.
David’s Song of Thanks
8[†] f Oh give thanks to the LORD; g call upon his name;
h make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 i Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 j Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
k his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God;
l his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant m that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which n he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, o “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance.”
19 When you were p few in number,
of little account, and q sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he r rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my s prophets no harm!”
23 t Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For u great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared v above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
w but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
x ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
y Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; [2]
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 z Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, a “The LORD reigns!”
32 b Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
“Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
36 d Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!”
e Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
Worship Before the Ark
37[†]So David left Asaph and his brothers there f before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark g as each day required, 38and also h Obed-edom and his [3] sixty-eight brothers, while h Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and i Hosah were to be gatekeepers. 39And he left j Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD k in the high place that was at Gibeon 40to offer burnt offerings to the LORD l on the altar of burnt offering m regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the LORD that he commanded Israel. 41With them were n Heman and Jeduthun o and the rest of those chosen and p expressly named to give thanks to the LORD, q for his steadfast love endures forever. 42Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments r for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.
43 s Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.
The LORD’s Covenant with David
1 CHRONICLES 17 [†] t Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” 2And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”
3But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 4“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: u It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. 5For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, v but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 7Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10[†]from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I w will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 x I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, y as I took it from him who was before you, 14but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
David’s Prayer
16Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, [1] O LORD God! 18And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. 19 z For your servant’s sake, O LORD, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21And who is like your people Israel, the one [2] nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. 23And now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, 24and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 25For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 27Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”
David Defeats His Enemies
1 CHRONICLES 18 [†] a After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.
2And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.
3David also defeated b Hadadezer king of c Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument [1] at the river Euphrates. 4And David took from him 1,000 chariots, d 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. 5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king e of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6[†]Then David put garrisons [2] in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David [3] wherever he went. 7And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8And from f Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze. g With it Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze.
9When h Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, king e of Zobah, 10he sent his son i Hadoram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against b Hadadezer and defeated him; for b Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou. And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. 11These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from j Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.
12[†]And k Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
David’s Administration
14[†]So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 15[†]And l Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 m and Zadok the son of Ahitub and n Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and o Shavsha was secretary; 17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the p chief officials in the service of the king.
The Ammonites Disgrace David’s Men
1 CHRONICLES 19 [†] q Now after this Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, and his son reigned in his place. 2[†]And David said, “I will deal kindly with Hanun the son of Nahash, for his father dealt kindly with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites to Hanun to console him. 3But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” 4So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away; 5and they departed. When David was told concerning the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”
6[†]When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents [1] of silver to hire chariots and horsemen r from Mesopotamia, from Aram-maacah, and from s Zobah. 7They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and encamped before t Medeba. And the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and came to battle. 8When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 9And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.
Ammonites and Syrians Defeated
10When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 11The rest of his men he put in the charge of u Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. 12And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 14So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. 15And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before u Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates, [2] with v Shophach the commander of the army of w Hadadezer at their head. 17And when it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to them and drew up his forces against them. And when David set the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18[†]And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of x 7,000 chariots and 40,000 x foot soldiers, and put to death also v Shophach the commander of their army. 19And when the servants of w Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Syrians were not willing to save the Ammonites anymore.
The Capture of Rabbah
1 CHRONICLES 20 [†] y In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And z Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 a And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent [1] of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor [2] b with saws and iron picks and axes. [3] And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Philistine Giants Killed
4[†] c And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 5[†]And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of d Jair struck down Lahmi d the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 7[†]And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of e Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. 8These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
David’s Census Brings Pestilence
1 CHRONICLES 21 [†] f Then g Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” 3[†]But Joab said, “May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” 4But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 5[†]And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were h 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah h 470,000 who drew the sword. 6 i But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.
7[†]But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. 8And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please j take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 9And the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s k seer, saying, 10“Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’” 11So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Choose what you will: 12[†]either l three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” 13Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
14[†]So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. 15And God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw, and he m relented from the calamity. And he said to the angel who was working destruction, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, n clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 17[†]And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.”
David Builds an Altar
18[†]Now o the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19So David went up at Gad’s word, which he had spoken in the name of the LORD. 20Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. 22And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the LORD—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” 23Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” 24But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25So David paid Ornan p 600 shekels [1] of gold by weight for the site. 26[†]And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD [2] q answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27Then the LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
28[†]At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. 29For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering r were at that time in the high place at Gibeon, 30but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
1 CHRONICLES 22 Then David said, s “Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
David Prepares for Temple Building
2[†]David commanded to gather together the t resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he u set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. 3David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, v as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, 4and cedar timbers without number, w for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. 5For David said, x “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.
Solomon Charged to Build the Temple
6[†]Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon, “My son, y I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. 8But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, z ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. 9Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. a I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. b For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 c He shall build a house for my name. d He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’
11[†]“Now, my son, e the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 f Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your God. 13 g Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. h Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. 14[†]With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD i 100,000 talents [1] of gold, a million talents of silver, and j bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. 15You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working 16gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! k The LORD be with you!”
17David also commanded l all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18“Is not the LORD your God with you? And m has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and his people. 19Now n set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, o so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built p for the name of the LORD.”
David Organizes the Levites
1 CHRONICLES 23 [†] q When David was old and full of days, r he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2David [1] assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites. 3[†]The Levites, s thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and t the total was u 38,000 men. 4“Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, [2] v “shall have charge of the work in the house of the LORD, 6,000 shall be w officers and judges, 54,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the LORD with the instruments x that I have made for praise.” 6[†] y And David organized them in divisions z corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7 a The sons of Gershon [3] were Ladan and Shimei. 8The sons of Ladan: b Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Ladan. 10And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, therefore they became counted as a single father’s house.
12 c The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13 d The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. e Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should f make offerings before the LORD and g minister to him and h pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14But the sons of Moses the i man of God were named among the j tribe of Levi. 15The k sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16The sons of Gershom: l Shebuel the chief. 17The sons of Eliezer: Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19The m sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20 n The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief and Isshiah the second.
21 o The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and p Kish. 22Eleazar died q having no sons, but only daughters; their r kinsmen, the sons of Kish, married them. 23 s The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24[†] t These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses u as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from v twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 25For David said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, w has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26And so the Levites no longer need x to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from v twenty years old and upward. 28For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 29Their duty was also to assist with the y showbread, the z flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the a baked offering, the b offering mixed with oil, and all c measures of quantity or size. 30And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the LORD, and likewise at evening, 31and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the LORD d on Sabbaths, e new moons, and feast days, f according to the number required of them, regularly before the LORD. 32Thus g they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the h service of the house of the LORD.
David Organizes the Priests
1 CHRONICLES 24 [†]The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of i Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2[†] j But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3[†]With the help of k Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5[†]They divided them l by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and m Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father’s house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
7The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10[†]the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to n Abijah, 11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19These had as their appointed duty in their service o to come into the house of the LORD according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
20[†]And of the rest of the sons of Levi: p of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 q Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 r The sons of Hebron: [1] Jeriah the chief, [2] Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 s The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 t The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. [3] 27The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28Of Mahli: Eleazar, u who had no sons. 29Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 v The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses. 31These also, the head of each father’s house and his younger brother alike, w cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, x Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites.
David Organizes the Musicians
1 CHRONICLES 25 [†]David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of y Asaph, and of z Heman, and of a Jeduthun, who b prophesied with lyres, with c harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who b prophesied under the direction of the king. 3Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, [1] Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, b who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD. 4Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5All these were the sons of Heman d the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, c harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was e 288. 8And they cast lots for their duties, f small and great, teacher and pupil alike.
9The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; 10the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 11the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 12the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 13the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 14the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 15the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 16the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 17the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 18the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 19the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 20to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 25to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 26to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
Divisions of the Gatekeepers
1 CHRONICLES 26 [†]As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2And Meshelemiah had sons: g Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4And h Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, i for God blessed him. 6Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability. 7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom. 9And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen. 10And j Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief), 11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12[†]These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the LORD. 13And they cast lots by fathers’ houses, k small and great alike, for their gates. 14The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. 15Obed-edom’s came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted l the gatehouse. 16For Shuppim and j Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch. 17On the east there were six each day, [1] on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse. 18And for the n colonnade [2] on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade. 19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.
Treasurers and Other Officials
20[†]And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of o the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. 21The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: p Jehieli. [3]
22 q The sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. 23 r Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites— 24and s Shebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25His brothers: from t Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, and his son u Jeshaiah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son v Shelomoth. 26This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers’ houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army w had dedicated. 27From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the house of the LORD. 28Also all that x Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated—all dedicated gifts were in the care of v Shelomoth [4] and his brothers.
29[†]Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to y external duties for Israel, z as officers and judges. 30Of the Hebronites, a Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 men of ability, had the oversight of Israel westward of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king. 31Of the Hebronites, b Jerijah was chief of the Hebronites of whatever genealogy or fathers’ houses. (In the fortieth year of David’s reign search was made and men of great ability among them were found at c Jazer in Gilead.) 32King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of fathers’ houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for d the affairs of the king.
Military Divisions
1 CHRONICLES 27 [†]This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000:
2 e Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were 24,000. 3He was a f descendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month. 4 g Dodai the Ahohite [1] was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000. 5The third commander, for the third month, was h Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000. 6This is the Benaiah i who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division. [2] 7 j Asahel the brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were 24,000. 8The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was k Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000. 9Sixth, for the sixth month, was l Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000. 10Seventh, for the seventh month, was m Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 11Eighth, for the eighth month, was n Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 12Ninth, for the ninth month, was o Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were 24,000. 13Tenth, for the tenth month, was p Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 14Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was q Benaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 15Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was r Heldai the Netophathite, of s Othniel; in his division were 24,000.
Leaders of Tribes
16[†]Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17for Levi, t Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, u Zadok; 18for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; 20for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the v leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23[†]David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the w LORD had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. 24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but x did not finish. Yet y wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.
25[†]Over the king’s treasuries was z Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28Over the olive and a sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29Over the herds that pastured in b Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the c Hagrite. 31All these were stewards of King David’s property.
32[†]Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. 33 d Ahithophel was the e king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of f Benaiah, and g Abiathar. Joab was h commander of the king’s army.
David’s Charge to Israel
1 CHRONICLES 28 [†] i David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the j officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the k commanders of thousands, the commanders of hundreds, the l stewards of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the m mighty men and all the seasoned warriors. 2Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. n I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the o footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. 3But God said to me, p ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 4[†]Yet the LORD God of Israel q chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel r forever. s For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s t house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5And of u all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) he v has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6[†]He said to me, ‘It is w Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7[†]I will establish his kingdom r forever x if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ 8Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
David’s Charge to Solomon
9“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a y whole heart and with a willing mind, z for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. a If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; b be strong and do it.”
11[†]Then David gave Solomon his son the c plan of the d vestibule of the temple, [1] and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the e mercy seat; 12and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding chambers, f the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; 13for the g divisions of the priests and of the h Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of the LORD; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the LORD, 14the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, 15the weight of the golden i lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand in the service, 16the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, 17and pure gold for the forks, the basins and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; 18for the j altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the k cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19[†]“All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the LORD, l all the work to be done according to the plan.”
20[†]Then David said to Solomon his son, m “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 21And behold the n divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be o every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”
Offerings for the Temple
1 CHRONICLES 29 [†]And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is p young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for q the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God. 2So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of r onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble. 3Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4 s 3,000 talents [1] of gold, of the gold of t Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house, [2] 5and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself [3] today to the LORD?”
6Then u the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and v the officers over the king’s work. 7[†]They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 w darics [4] of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. 8And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in the care of x Jehiel the Gershonite. 9Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a y whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
David Prays in the Assembly
10[†]Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: z “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 a Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 b Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. c In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
14“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 d For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are e like a shadow, and there is no abiding. [5] 16O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17I know, my God, f that you test the heart and g have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 h Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may i build the palace j for which I have made provision.”
20Then David said to all the assembly, k “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, l and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. 21And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their m drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22[†]And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness.
Solomon Anointed King
And they made Solomon the son of David king n the second time, and they o anointed him as prince for the LORD, and p Zadok as priest.
23[†] q Then Solomon sat on the r throne of the LORD as king in place of David his father. And he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25And the LORD made Solomon very s great in the sight of all Israel and t bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
The Death of David
26[†]Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27The u time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28Then he died v at a good age, w full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles x of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of y Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of z Gad the seer, 30with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances a that came upon him and upon Israel and upon all the kingdoms of the countries.