Rabbah Is Conquered
1Ita happened 1in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But bDavid stayed at Jerusalem. And cJoab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.
2Then David dtook their king’s crown from his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the 2spoil of the city in great abundance.
3And he brought out the people who were in it, and 3put them to work with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. So David did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Philistine Giants Destroyed
4Now it happened afterward ethat war broke out at 4Gezer with the Philistines, at which time fSibbechai the Hushathite killed 5Sippai, who was one of the sons of 6the giant. And they were subdued.
5Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of 7Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s gbeam.
6Yet again hthere was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to 8the giant.
7So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of 9Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
The Census of Israel and Judah
1Now aSatan stood up against Israel, and moved David to 1number Israel.
2So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, band bring the number of them to me that I may know it.”
3And Joab answered, “May the LORD make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?”
4Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword.
6cBut he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s 2word was abominable to Joab.
7And 3God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.
8So David said to God, d“I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; ebut now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
9Then the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s fseer, saying,
10“Go and tell David, gsaying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.” ’ ”
11So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Choose for yourself,
12h‘either 4three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the LORD—the plague in the land, with the 5angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”
13And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His imercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
14So the LORD sent a jplague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell.
15And God sent 6an kangel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As 7he was destroying, the LORD looked and lrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, “It is enough; now restrain 8your hand.” And the angel of the LORD stood by the mthreshing floor of 9Ornan the Jebusite.
16Then David lifted his eyes and nsaw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.
17And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these osheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”
18Therefore, the pangel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19So David went up at the word of Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the LORD.
20Now Ornan turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves, but Ornan continued threshing wheat.
21So David came to Ornan, and Ornan looked and saw David. And he went out from the threshing floor, and bowed before David with his face to the ground.
22Then David said to Ornan, 10“Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the LORD. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.”
23But Ornan said to David, “Take it to yourself, and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Look, I also give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all.”
24Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”
25So qDavid gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place.
26And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD; and rHe answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.
27So the LORD commanded the angel, and he returned his sword to its sheath.
28At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.
29sFor the tabernacle of the LORD and the altar of the burnt offering, which Moses had made in the wilderness, were at that time at the high place in tGibeon.
30But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
David Prepares to Build the Temple
1Then David said, a“This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2So David commanded to gather the baliens who were in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to ccut hewn stones to build the house of God.
3And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance dbeyond measure,
4and cedar trees in abundance; for the eSidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5Now David said, f“Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.
6Then he called for his son Solomon, and 1charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.
7And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, git was in my mind to build a house hto the name of the LORD my God;
8“but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, i‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.
9j‘Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him krest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be 2Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
10l‘He shall build a house for My name, and mhe shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11“Now, my son, may nthe LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you.
12“Only may the LORD ogive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.
13p“Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD 3charged Moses concerning Israel. qBe strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.
14“Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron rbeyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
15“Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.
16“Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and sthe LORD be with you.”
17David also commanded all the tleaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18“Is not the LORD your God with you? uAnd has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people.
19“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to vbring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built wfor the name of the LORD.”
The Divisions of the Levites
1So when David was old and full of days, he made his son aSolomon king over Israel.
2And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3Now the Levites were numbered from the age of bthirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand.
4Of these, twenty-four thousand were to clook after the work of the house of the LORD, six thousand were dofficers and judges,
5four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand epraised the LORD with musical instruments, f“which I made,” said David, “for giving praise.”
6Also gDavid separated them into 1divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7Of the hGershonites: 2Laadan and Shimei.
8The sons of Laadan: the first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel—three in all.
9The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran—three in all. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Laadan.
10And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, 3Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the four sons of Shimei.
11Jahath was the first and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; therefore they were assigned as one father’s house.
12iThe sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all.
13The sons of jAmram: Aaron and Moses; and kAaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should 4sanctify the most holy things, lto burn incense before the LORD, mto minister to Him, and nto give the blessing in His name forever.
14Now othe sons of Moses the man of God were reckoned to the tribe of Levi.
15pThe sons of Moses were 5Gershon and Eliezer.
16Of the sons of Gershon, qShebuel6 was the first.
17Of the descendants of Eliezer, rRehabiah was the first. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18Of the sons of Izhar, sShelomith was the first.
19tOf the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah was the first and Jesshiah the second.
21uThe sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and vKish.
22And Eleazar died, and whad no sons, but only daughters; and their 7brethren, the sons of Kish, xtook them as wives.
23yThe sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three in all.
24These were the sons of zLevi by their fathers’ houses—the heads of the fathers’ houses as they were counted individually by the number of their names, who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of atwenty years and above.
25For David said, “The LORD God of Israel bhas given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever”;
26and also to the Levites, “They shall no longer ccarry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.”
27For by the dlast words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above;
28because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God,
29both with ethe showbread and fthe fine flour for the grain offering, with gthe unleavened cakes and hwhat is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of imeasures and sizes;
30to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening;
31and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the LORD jon the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the kset8 feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the LORD;
32and that they should lattend to the mneeds of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the nneeds of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the LORD.
The Divisions of the Priests
1Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. aThe sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2And bNadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.
3Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and cAhimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.
4There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.
5Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.
6And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7Now the 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,
10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to dAbijah,
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 1Happizzez,
16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to 2Jehezekel,
17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19This was the schedule of their service efor coming into the house of the LORD according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
Other Levites
20And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, 3Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21Concerning fRehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22Of the Izharites, 4Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23Of the sons 5of gHebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah; of the sons of Michah, Shamir.
25The brother of Michah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26hThe sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; the son of Jaaziah, Beno.
27The sons of Merari by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28Of Mahli: Eleazar, iwho had no sons.
29Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.
30Also jthe sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
31These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.
The Musicians
1Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of aAsaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: Image
2Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and 1Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were 2under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
3Of bJeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, 3Zeri, Jeshaiah, 4Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, 5six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, 6Uzziel, 7Shebuel, 8Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to 9exalt his chorn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6All these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and dharps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were eunder the authority of the king.
7So the fnumber of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the LORD, all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.
8And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, gthe teacher with the student.
9Now the first lot for Asaph came out for Joseph; the second for Gedaliah, him with his brethren and sons, twelve;
10the third for Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
11the fourth for 10Jizri, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
12the fifth for Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
13the sixth for Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
14the seventh for 11Jesharelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
15the eighth for Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
16the ninth for Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
17the tenth for Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
18the eleventh for 12Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
19the twelfth for Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
20the thirteenth for 13Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
21the fourteenth for Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
22the fifteenth for 14Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
23the sixteenth for Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
24the seventeenth for Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
25the eighteenth for Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
26the nineteenth for Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
27the twentieth for Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
28the twenty-first for Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
29the twenty-second for Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
30the twenty-third for Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
31the twenty-fourth for Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.
The Gatekeepers
1Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, 1Meshelemiah the son of aKore, of the sons of 2Asaph.
2And the sons of Meshelemiah were bZechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4Moreover the sons of cObed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability.
7The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men.
8All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, dable men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
9And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men.
10Also eHosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),
11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12Among these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD.
13And they fcast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.
14The lot for the East Gate fell to 3Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;
15to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the 4storehouse.
16To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the gascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.
17On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the 5storehouse two by two.
18As for the 6Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.
19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.
The Treasuries and Other Duties
20Of the Levites, Ahijah was hover the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the idedicated7 things. Image
21The sons of 8Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Laadan the Gershonite: 9Jehieli.
22The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the LORD.
23Of the jAmramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24kShebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.
25And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and lShelomith his son.
26This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things mwhich King David and the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.
27Some of the 10spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the LORD.
28And all that Samuel nthe seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated thing, was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.
29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons operformed duties as pofficials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.
30Of the Hebronites, qHashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
31Among the Hebronites, rJerijah was head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men sat Jazer of Gilead.
32And his brethren were two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’ houses, whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and the taffairs of the king.
The Military Divisions
1And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty-four thousand.
2Over the first division for the first month was aJashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty-four thousand;
3he was of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4Over the division of the second month was 1Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
5The third captain of the army for the third month was bBenaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
6This was the Benaiah who was cmighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.
7The fourth captain for the fourth month was dAsahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was 2Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was eIra the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was fHelez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was gSibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was hAbiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was iMaharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was jBenaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was 3Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
Leaders of Tribes
16Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah;
17over the Levites, kHashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites, Zadok;
18over Judah, lElihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;
20over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22over Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because mthe LORD had said He would multiply Israel like the nstars of the heavens.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, for owrath came upon Israel because of this census; nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David.
Other State Officials
25And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.
26Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground.
27And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.
28Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil.
29And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys.
30Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys,
31and Jaziz the pHagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property.
32Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a 4scribe; and Jehiel the 5son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.
33qAhithophel was the king’s counselor, and rHushai the Archite was the king’s companion.
34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then sAbiathar. And the general of the king’s army was tJoab.
Solomon Instructed to Build the Temple
1Now David assembled at Jerusalem all athe leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and bthe captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and cthe stewards over all the substance and 1possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all dthe mighty men of valor.
2Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: eI had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for fthe footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.
3“But God said to me, g‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed hblood.’
4“However the LORD God of Israel ichose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen jJudah to be the ruler. And of the house of Judah, kthe house of my father, and lamong the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to make me king over all Israel.
5m“And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) nHe has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6“Now He said to me, ‘It is oyour son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father.
7‘Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, pif he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’
8“Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.
9“As for you, my son Solomon, qknow the God of your father, and serve Him rwith a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for sthe LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. tIf you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will ucast you off forever.
10“Consider now, vfor the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”
11Then David gave his son Solomon wthe plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat;
12and the xplans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, yof the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things;
13also for the division of the priests and the zLevites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD.
14He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also silver for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service;
15the weight for the alampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand.
16And by weight he gave gold for the tables of the showbread, for each btable, and silver for the tables of silver;
17also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—he gave gold by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, silver by weight for every bowl;
18and refined gold by weight for the caltar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold dcherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19“All this,” said David, e“the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the 2works of these plans.”
20And David said to his son Solomon, f“Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. gHe will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
21“Here are hthe divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and ievery willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”
Offerings for Building the Temple
1Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: “My son Solomon, whom alone God has achosen, is byoung and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the 1temple is not for man but for the LORD God.
2“Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might: gold for things to be made of gold, silver for things of silver, bronze for things of bronze, iron for things of iron, wood for things of wood, conyx stones, stones to be set, glistening stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble slabs in abundance.
3“Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver:
4“three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of dOphir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses;
5“the gold for things of gold and the silver for things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be done by the hands of craftsmen. Who then is ewilling to 2consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”
6Then fthe leaders of the fathers’ houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with gthe officers over the king’s work, hoffered willingly.
7They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
8And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, into the hand of iJehiel3 the Gershonite.
9Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had joffered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly.
David’s Praise to God
10Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said:
“Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
11kYours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head over all.
12lBoth riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
13“Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
14But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And 4of Your own we have given You.
15For mwe are 5aliens and 6pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
nOur days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope.
16“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.
17“I know also, my God, that You otest the heart and phave pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.
18“O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.
19“And qgive my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the 7temple for which rI have made provision.”
20Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God.” So all the assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.
Solomon Anointed King
21And they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and ssacrifices in abundance for all Israel.
22So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and tanointed him before the LORD to be the leader, and Zadok to be priest.
23Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
24All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, usubmitted8 themselves to King Solomon.
25So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and vbestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
The Close of David’s Reign
26Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
27wAnd the period that he reigned over Israel was forty years; xseven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem.
28So he ydied in a good old age, zfull of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.
29Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the 9book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
30with all his reign and his might, aand the events that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the lands.