The Holy Bible Old and New Testament

About | PDFs | Mobile formats | Word formats | Other languages | Contact Us | Get a FREE hard copy of the N.E.V. | Search | What is the Gospel? | Support the work | Carelinks Ministries | Bible Basics | The Real Christ | The Real Devil | "Bible Companion" Daily Bible reading plan |Photos of the N.E.V. being distributed worldwide |

Chapters in 1 Chronicles:

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

The First Book of Chronicles
CHAPTER 1 Sep. 18
Israel’s Roots
Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras. 6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath and Togarmah. 7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim. 8The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan. 9The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba, and Dedan. 10Cush became the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one in the earth. 11Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 12Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from) and Caphtorim. 13Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth, 14the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite, 15the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite, 16the Arvadite, the Zemarite and the Hamathite. 17The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech. 18Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. 19To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the land was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 20Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, 23Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 24Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, 25Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27Abram (the same is Abraham). 28The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael. 29These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. 32The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. 33The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah. 34Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel. 35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah. 36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek. 37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. 38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. 39The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister. 40The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. 41The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran. 42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
The Kings of Edom
43Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 44Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 45Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 46Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. 47Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 48Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place. 49Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 50Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, 52chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 53chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 54chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
CHAPTER 2 Sep. 19
These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
The Children of Judah
3The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and He killed him. 4Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. 5The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul. 6The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara; five of them in all. 7The sons of Carmi: Achar the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing. 8The son of Ethan: Azariah. 9The sons also of Hezron, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram and Chelubai.
The Children of Ram
10Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah; 11and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz, 12and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse; 13and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, 14Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15Ozem the sixth, David the seventh; 16and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab and Asahel, three. 17Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
The Children of Caleb
18Caleb the son of Hezron fathered children by Azubah his wife, and by Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon. 19Azubah died, and Caleb took to him Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel. 21Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub. 22Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. 23Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. 24After that Hezron was dead in Caleb Ephrathah, then Abijah Hezron’s wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.
The Children of Jerahmeel
25The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Ahijah. 26Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. 27The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz, Jamin and Eker. 28The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur. 29The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail; and she bore him Ahban and Molid. 30The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; but Seled died without children. 31The sons of Appaim: Ishi. The sons of Ishi: Sheshan. The sons of Sheshan: Ahlai. 32The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan; and Jether died without children. 33The sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel. 34Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. 35Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife; and she bore him Attai. 36Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad, 37Zabad became the father of Ephlal, Ephlal became the father of Obed, 38Obed became the father of Jehu, Jehu became the father of Azariah, 39Azariah became the father of Helez, Helez became the father of Eleasah, 40Eleasah became the father of Sismai, Sismai became the father of Shallum, 41Shallum became the father of Jekamiah and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama. 42The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph. The son of Mareshah was Hebron. 43The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. 44Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem became the father of Shammai. 45The son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth Zur. 46Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez. 47The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jothan, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph. 48Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. 49She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena, and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. 50These were the sons of Caleb, the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim, 51Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Beth Gader. 52Shobal the founder of Kiriath Jearim was the ancestor of the people Haroeh and half of the people of Menuhoth. 53The families of Kiriath Jearim: The Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and the Mishraites; of them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites. 54The sons of Salma: Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. 55The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.
CHAPTER 3 Sep. 20
The Children of David
Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; 2the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; 3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. 4Six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. 5These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel; 6and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, 7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 8Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet, nine. 9All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister. 10Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 11Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 12Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14Amon his son, Josiah his son. 15The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 16The sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son. 17The sons of Jeconiah the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18and Malchiram, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 19The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel, and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister; 20and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah and Jushab Hesed, five. 21The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah. 22The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat, six. 23The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam, three. 24The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani, seven.
CHAPTER 4 Sep. 21
The Children of Judah
The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur and Shobal. 2Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites. 3These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi; 4and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the founder of Bethlehem. 5Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar and Ethnan. 8Hakkoz became the father of Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. 9Jabez was more honourable than his brothers: and his mother named him Jabez saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. 10Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! God granted him that which he requested. 11Chelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12Eshton became the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These are the men of Recah. 13The sons of Kenaz: Othniel, and Seraiah. The son of Othniel: Hathath. 14Meonothai became the father of Ophrah: and Seraiah became the father of Joab the father of Ge Harashim; for they were craftsmen. 15The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah and Naam; and the son of Elah: Kenaz. 16The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel. 17The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon; and she bore Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18His wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. These are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took. 19The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben Zoheth. 21The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the house of Ashbea; 22and Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Joash and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. The records are ancient. 23These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah where they lived and worked for the king.
The Children of Simeon
24The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah and Shaul; 25Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. 26The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. 27Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn’t have many children, neither did all their family multiply like the children of Judah. 28They lived at Beersheba, Moladah and Hazarshual, 29and at Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31Beth Marcaboth and Hazar Susim, Beth Biri and at Shaaraim. These were their cities to the reign of David. 32Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen and Ashan, five cities; 33and all their villages that were around the same cities, to Baal. These were their habitations, and they have their genealogy. 34Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36and Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah— 38these mentioned by name were princes in their families; and their fathers’ houses increased greatly. 39They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. 40They found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, quiet and peaceable; for those who lived there before were of Ham. 41These written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and attacked their tents, and the Meunim who were found there, and destroyed them utterly to this day, and lived in their place; because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42Some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43They struck the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.
CHAPTER 5 Sep. 22
The Children of Reuben
The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 2For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s): 3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. 7His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even up to Nebo and Baal Meon: 9and eastward he lived even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their livestock were multiplied in the land of Gilead. 10In the days of Saul, they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they lived in their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.
The Children of Gad
11The sons of Gad lived over against them, in the land of Bashan to Salecah: 12Joel the chief, Shapham the second, Janai and Shaphat, in Bashan. 13Their brothers of their fathers’ houses: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of their fathers’ houses. 16They lived in Gilead in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, as far as their borders. 17All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. 18The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, that were able to go forth to war. 19They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them, because they put their trust in Him. 21They took away their livestock; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of donkeys two thousand, and of men one hundred thousand. 22For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until the captivity.
The Children of Manasseh
23The children of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land: they increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon, Senir and Mount Hermon. 24These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, heads of their fathers’ houses. 25They trespassed against the God of their fathers, and played the prostitute after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them. 26The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tiglath Pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, to this day.
CHAPTER 6 Sep. 23
The Children of Levi
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 2The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 3The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua, 5Abishua became the father of Bukki, Bukki became the father of Uzzi, 6Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth, 7Meraioth became the father of Amariah, Amariah became the father of Ahitub, 8Ahitub became the father of Zadok, Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz, 9Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, Azariah became the father of Johanan, 10Johanan became the father of Azariah (he it is who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem), 11Azariah became the father of Amariah, Amariah became the father of Ahitub, 12Ahitub became the father of Zadok, Zadok became the father of Shallum, 13Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah became the father of Azariah, 14Azariah became the father of Seraiah, Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak. 15Jehozadak went into captivity when Yahweh carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. 16The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari. 17These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households. 20Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. 22The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son and Assir his son, 24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. 25The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth. 26As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, and Nahath his son, 27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28The sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel and the second Abijah. 29The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
The Temple Musicians
31These are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of Yahweh, after that the ark had rest. 32They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem; and they served in their office according to their order. 33These are those who waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, son of Samuel, 34son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, 35son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, 36son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, 37son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, 38son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, the son of Israel. 39His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 40son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, 41son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, 42son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, 43son of Jahath, son of Gershom, the son of Levi. 44On the left hand were their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, 45son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, 46son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, 47son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, the son of Levi. 48Their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of God’s house. 49But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 54Now these are their dwelling places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (for theirs was the first lot), 55to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it; 56but the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron; Libnah also with its suburbs, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its suburbs; 58Hilen with its suburbs; Debir with its suburbs; 59Ashan with its suburbs and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs; 60and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs; Allemeth with its suburbs and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities. 61To the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 62To the sons of Gershom, according to their families, out of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Asher, out of the tribe of Naphtali and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 63To the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 64The children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their suburbs. 65They gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, out of the tribe of the children of Simeon and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name. 66Some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67They gave to them the cities of refuge: Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its suburbs; Gezer also with its suburbs; 68Jokmeam with its suburbs; Beth Horon with its suburbs; 69Aijalon with its suburbs and Gath Rimmon with its suburbs; 70and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. 71To the sons of Gershom were given, out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, and Ashtaroth with its suburbs; 72and out of the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its suburbs; Daberath with its suburbs; 73Ramoth with its suburbs; Anem with its suburbs; 74and out of the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its suburbs; Abdon with its suburbs; 75Hukok with its suburbs and Rehob with its suburbs; 76and out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs; Hammon with its suburbs and Kiriathaim with its suburbs. 77To the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given, out of the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono with its suburbs; Tabor with its suburbs; 78and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, were given them, out of the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs; Jahzah with its suburbs, 79Kedemoth with its suburbs and Mephaath with its suburbs; 80and out of the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs; Mahanaim with its suburbs; 81Heshbon with its suburbs and Jazer with its suburbs.
CHAPTER 7 Sep. 24
The Children of Issachar
Of the sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron, four. 2The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Tola; mighty men of valour in their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred. 3The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel and Isshiah, five; all of them chief men. 4With them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons. 5Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valour, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.
The Children of Benjamin
6The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher and Jediael, three. 7The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valour. They were reckoned by genealogy twenty-two thousand and thirty-four. 8The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. 9They were reckoned by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valour, twenty thousand two hundred. 10The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish and Ahishahar. 11All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valour, seventeen thousand and two hundred, who were able to go forth in the army for war. 12Shuppim also, and Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, the sons of Aher.
The Children of Naphtali
13The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
The Children of Manasseh
14The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his concubine the Aramitess bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead. 15Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maacah; and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters. 16Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17The son of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. 18His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, and Abiezer, and Mahlah. 19The sons of Shemida were Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
The Children of Ephraim
20The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, 21Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock. 22Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. 23He went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because it went evil with his house. 24His daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah. 25Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son, 26Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27Nun his son, Joshua his son. 28Their possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its towns; 29and by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these lived the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
The Children of Asher
30The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. 31The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. 32Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham and Shua their sister. 33The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet. 34The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah and Aram. 35The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal. 36The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran and Beera. 38The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa and Ara. 39The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel and Rizia. 40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. The number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.
CHAPTER 8 Sep. 25
More Children of Benjamin
Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth. 3Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5Gera, Shephuphan and Huram. 6These are the sons of Ehud, who are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them captive to Manahath: 7Naaman, Ahijah and Gera. He carried them captive, and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud. 8Shaharaim divorced his two wives, Hushim and Baara. Later, when he lived in the country of Moab, he married Hodesh 9his wife and had seven sons: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10Jeuz, Shachia and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households. 11By Hushim he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal. 12The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns; 13and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath; 14and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16Michael, Ishpah and Joha, the sons of Beriah, 17and Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal, 19and Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath, the sons of Shimei, 22and Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25Iphdeiah, and Penuel the sons of Shashak, 26and Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. 28These were heads of fathers’ households throughout their generations, chief men: these lived in Jerusalem. 29In Gibeon there lived the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah; 30and his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31Gedor, Ahio and Zecher. 32Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their brothers in Jerusalem, over against their brothers. 33Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 34The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal became the father of Micah. 35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. 36Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza. 37Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, one hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
CHAPTER 9 Sep. 26
The Exiles Who Returned
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies - they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience. 2Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the Nethinim. 3In Jerusalem lived of the children of Judah, of the children of Benjamin and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: 4Uthai the son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, of the children of Perez son of Judah. 5Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. 6Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brothers, six hundred and ninety. 7Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah, 8and Ibneiah son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah; 9and their brothers, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were heads of fathers’ households by their fathers’ houses. 10Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, 11and Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; 12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer; 13and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred and sixty; very able men for the work of the service of God’s house. 14Of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15and Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zichri, son of Asaph, 16and Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. 17The porters: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon and Ahiman, and their brothers (Shallum was the chief), 18who previously served in the king’s gate eastward: they were the porters for the camp of the children of Levi. 19Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brothers, of his father’s house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent. Their fathers had been over the camp of Yahweh, keepers of the entry. 20Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Yahweh was with him. 21Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the Tent of Meeting. 22All these who were chosen to be porters in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the prophet ordained in their office of trust. 23So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of Yahweh, even the house of the tent, as guards. 24On the four sides were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. 25Their brothers, in their villages, were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; 26for the four chief porters, who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the rooms and over the treasuries in God’s house. 27They lodged around God’s house, because that duty was theirs. To them pertained its opening morning by morning. 28Certain of them were in charge of the vessels of service; for by count were these brought in and by count were these taken out. 29Some of them also were appointed over the furniture, and over all the vessels of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense and the spices. 30Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mix of the spices. 31Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans. 32Some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the show bread, to prepare it every Sabbath. 33These are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the rooms and were free from other service; for they were employed in their work day and night. 34These were heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, throughout their generations, chief men. They lived at Jerusalem.
The Children of Jeiel
35In Gibeon there lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife’s name was Maacah. 36His firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth. 38Mikloth became the father of Shimeam. They also lived with their brothers in Jerusalem, over against their brothers. 39Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 40The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal became the father of Micah. 41The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea and Ahaz. 42Ahaz became the father of Jarah; and Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza; 43and Moza became the father of Binea, and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44Azel had six sons, whose names are: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.
CHAPTER 10 Sep. 27
The Death of Saul
Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa. 2The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. 3The battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4Then Saul said to his armour bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armour bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5When his armour bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died. 6So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his family died together. 7When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. 8It happened on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9They stripped him, and took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols, and to the people. 10They put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon. 11When all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 13So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, against the word of Yahweh, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire, 14and didn’t inquire of Yahweh. Therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
CHAPTER 11 Sep. 28
David Is Made King
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel’. 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Yahweh by Samuel. 4David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (the same is Jebus). The Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You shall not come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is the city of David. 6David said, Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. 7David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David. 8He built the city all around, from Millo and all around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.
David’s Mighty Men
10Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. 11This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time. 12After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14They stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory. 15Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 16David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 17David was thirsty and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 18The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David. David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh, 19and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things. 20Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three. 21Of the three, he was more honourable than the two, and was made their captain: however he didn’t attain to the three. 22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, had done mighty deeds. He killed two lion-like men of Moab. He went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. 23He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 24Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men. 25Behold, he was more honourable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three; and David set him over his guard. 26Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armour-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
CHAPTER 12 Sep. 29
The Names of David’s Followers
Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself in secret because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. 2They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were of Saul’s brothers of Benjamin. 3The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite, 4and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite, 5Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites, 7and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. 8Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valour, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains: 9Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh. 14These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand. 15These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west. 16There came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David. 17David went out to meet them and responded to them: If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. 18Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. 19Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; but they didn’t help them; for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. 20As he went to Ziklag, there joined him of Manasseh, Adnah, Jozabad,  Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. 21They helped David against the band of rovers; for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the army. 22For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.
The Numbers of David’s Supporters
23These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh. 24The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand  eight hundred, armed for war. 25Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour in war, seven thousand one hundred. 26Of the children of Levi four thousand six hundred. 27Jehoiada was the leader of the household of Aaron; and with him were three thousand seven hundred, 28and Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. 29Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand; for hitherto the majority of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. 30Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous men in their fathers’ houses. 31Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, came and made David king. 32Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were under their command. 33Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all kinds of instruments of war, fifty thousand, who could command and were not of double heart. 34Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand. 35Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred. 36Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand. 37On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all kinds of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred and twenty thousand. 38All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel were also of one heart to make David king. 39They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them. 40Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, mules and oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, and cattle and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
CHAPTER 13 Sep. 30
David Takes the Ark of God
David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader. 2David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us. 3Let us bring again the ark of our God to us; for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul. 4All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5So David assembled all Israel together, from Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of Yahweh God who dwells between the cherubim, that is called by the Name. 7They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, harps, stringed instruments,  tambourines, cymbals and trumpets. 9When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzza, and He struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God. 11David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. 12David was afraid of God that day saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? 13So David didn’t move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.
CHAPTER 14 Sep. 30
David Defeats the Philistines
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. 2David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for His people Israel’s sake. 3David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David became the father of more sons and daughters. 4These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6Nogah,  Nepheg, Japhia, 7Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet. 8When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard of it, and went out against them. 9Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10David inquired of God saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand. 11So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12They left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13The Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14David inquired again of God; and God said to him, You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry trees. 15It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines. 16David did as God commanded him; and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. 17The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.
CHAPTER 15 Oct. 1
The Ark Is Brought to Zion
David made himself houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it. 2Then David said, No one ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for Yahweh has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to Him forever. 3David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: 5of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred and twenty; 6of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred and twenty; 7of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred and thirty; 8of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred; 9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty; 10of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred and twelve. 11David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, 12and said to them, You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out against us, because we didn’t seek Him according to the ordinance. 14So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 15The children of the Levites bore the ark of God with its poles on their shoulders, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh. 16David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy. 17So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben,  Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah,  Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. 19So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of brass to sound aloud; 20and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth; 21and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah,  Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead. 22Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. 23Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. 24Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. 25So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26It happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers; and David wore an ephod of linen. 28Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps. 29As the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.
CHAPTER 16 Oct. 2
David’s Song of Praise
They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. 3He dealt to each one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a cake of raisins. 4He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel: 5Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God. 7Then on that day David led the giving of thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers: 8Oh give thanks to Yahweh! Call on His name. Make His deeds known among the peoples. 9Sing to Him, sing praises to Him. Tell of all His marvellous works. 10Glory in His holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. 11Seek Yahweh and His strength. Seek His face for evermore. 12Remember His marvellous works that He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, 13you seed of Israel His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones. 14He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth. 15Remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, 16the covenant which He made with Abraham, His oath to Isaac. 17He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant 18saying, ‘I will give you the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;’ 19when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it. 20They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. 21He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, He reproved kings for their sakes, 22Don’t touch My anointed ones! Do My prophets no harm! 23Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display His salvation from day to day. 24Declare His glory among the nations, and His marvellous works among all the peoples. 25For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. 26For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens. 27Honor and majesty are before Him. Strength and gladness are in His place. 28Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! 29Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to His name. Bring an offering, and come before Him. Worship Yahweh in holy array. 30Tremble before Him, all the land. The world also is established that it can’t be moved. 31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, Yahweh reigns! 32Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is therein! 33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for He comes to judge the earth. 34Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, for His grace endures forever. 35Say, ‘Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise’. 36Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, ‘Amen’, and praised Yahweh. 37So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required; 38and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers; 39and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Yahweh in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which He commanded to Israel. 41With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because His grace endures forever; 42and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate. 43All the people departed each man to his family; and David returned to bless his family.
CHAPTER 17 Oct. 3
The Covenant with David
It happened that as 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 Yahweh is under curtains. 2Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you. 3It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan saying, 4Go and tell David My servant, ‘Thus says Yahweh, You shall not build Me a house to dwell in; 5for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another. 6In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’’ 7Now therefore, you shall tell My servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over My people Israel. 8I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. Neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10and from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. 11It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13I will be his father, and he shall be My son. I will not take My sure mercies away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 14but I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever. His throne shall be established forever’. 15According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
David’s Response to the Covenant
16Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far? 17This was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. 18What can David say yet more to You concerning the honour which is done to Your servant? For You know Your servant. 19Yahweh, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20Yahweh, there is none like You, neither is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21What single nation in the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to Himself for a people, to make You a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt? 22For Your people Israel You made Your very own people forever; and You, Yahweh, became their God. 23Now, Yahweh, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as You have spoken. 24Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David Your servant is established before You’. 25For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found courage  to pray before You. 26Now, Yahweh, You are God, and have promised this good thing to Your servant. 27Now it has pleased You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.
CHAPTER 18 Oct. 4
David’s Prosperity
After this, it happened that David struck the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 4David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them enough for one hundred chariots. 5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. 6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze laver, the pillars and the vessels of brass. 9When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10he sent Hadoram his son to king David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou); and he had with him all kinds of vessels of gold and silver and brass. 11King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines and from Amalek. 12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand. 13He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 14David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 15Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 16Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe; 17Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief around the king.
CHAPTER 19 Oct. 4
David’s Conflict with Ammon
It happened after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Do you think that David honours your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land? 4So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5Then there went certain persons and told David how the men were served. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return. 6When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Arammaacah, and out of Zobah. 7So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 9The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city. The kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 10Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12He said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to Him. 14So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. 15When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan and came on them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians seven thousand charioteers, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the army. 19When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him. From then on, the Syrians would not help the children of Ammon.
CHAPTER 20 Oct. 5
At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it. 2David took the crown of their king from off 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; and he brought forth the spoil of the city, a great amount. 3He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
The Sons of the Giant Are Killed
4After this, there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. 5There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea 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.
CHAPTER 21 Oct. 5
David Numbers Israel
Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, so that I may know the sum of them. 3Joab said, May Yahweh make His people a hundred times as many as they are; but, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt for Israel? 4Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword; and in Judah were four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew sword. 6But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. 7God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. 8David said to God, I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, put away, I beg You, the iniquity of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly. 9Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s prophet, saying, 10Go and speak to David saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you’. 11So Gad came to David and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, ‘Take your choice: 12either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days’ suffering the sword of Yahweh, even plague in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel’. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me. 13David said to Gad, I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Yahweh; for His mercies are very great. Let me not fall into the hand of man. 14So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel; and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. 15God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and He relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, It is enough; now stay your hand. The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
David’s Intercession for Israel
16David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17David said to God, Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be numbered? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against Your people, that they should be plagued. 18Then the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up, and make an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of Yahweh. 20Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. 21As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. 22Then David said to Ornan, Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar to Yahweh. You shall sell it to me for the full price, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people. 23Ornan said to David, Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes. Behold, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all. 24King David said to Ornan, No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost. 25So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. 26David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and He answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. 27Yahweh commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath. 28At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29For the tabernacle of Yahweh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.
CHAPTER 22 Oct. 6
David Prepares for the Temple
Then David said, This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel. 2David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build God’s house. 3David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4and cedar trees without number; for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought cedar trees in abundance to David. 5David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all nations. I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. 6Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. 8But the word of Yahweh came to me saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. 9Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him peace from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10He shall build a house for My name; and he shall be My son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever’. 11Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as He has spoken concerning you. 12May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. 13Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. 14Now, behold, I have made a great effort in preparing for the house of Yahweh one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them. 15There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skilful in every kind of work: 16of the gold, silver, brass and iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you. 17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t He given you rest on every side? For He has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh and before His people. 19Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh.
CHAPTER 23 Oct. 7
The Number and Genealogy of the Levites
Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 2He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and over: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. 4David said, Of these, twenty-four thousand are to oversee the work of the house of Yahweh; six thousand are to be officers and judges; 5four thousand are to be doorkeepers; and four thousand are to praise Yahweh with the instruments which I made for giving praise. 6David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. 8The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, Zetham and Joel, three. 9The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. 10The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah didn’t have many sons; therefore they combined to become a father’s house. 12The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was sanctified, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before Yahweh, to minister to Him, and to bless in His name, forever. 14But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. 15The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second. 21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only; and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives. 23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three. 24These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Yahweh, from twenty years old and over. 25For David said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people; and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26Also the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service. 27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and over. 28Their ministry was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Yahweh, in the courts, and in the rooms, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of God’s house; 29for the showbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all kinds of measure and size. 30And to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening; 31and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Yahweh; 32and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, and the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the house of Yahweh.
CHAPTER 24 Oct. 8
The Divisions of the Descendants of Aaron
These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office. 3David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. 4There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar. They were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. 5Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. 6Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one father’s house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. 7Now the first lot came forth 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 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. 19This was their ordering in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him. 20Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. 27The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. 28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29Of Kish; the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. 31These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’ households of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
CHAPTER 25 Oct. 8
The Sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun
Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments and cymbals. The number of those who did the work according to their service was: 2Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king. 3Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh. 4Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s prophet of the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6All these were under the hands of their father for the singing ministry in the house of Yahweh, with cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, for the service of God’s house: Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. 7The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skilful, was two hundred and eighty-eight. 8They cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar. 9Now the first lot of Asaph came forth to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, he and his brothers and sons were 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; 20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21the fourteenth, to Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 25the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 26the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30the twenty- third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
CHAPTER 26 Oct. 9
The Doorkeepers
For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valour. 7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were capable men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service; sixty-two of Obed-Edom. 9Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. 10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), 11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen. 12Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the house of Yahweh. 13They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for each gate. 14The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. 15To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons, the storehouse. 16To Shuppim and Hosah, westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. 17Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. 18For the colonnade on the west, four at the causeway, and two at the colonnade. 19These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
The Keepers of the Treasury
20Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. 21The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22The sons of Jehieli: Zetham and Joel his brother were over the treasures of the house of Yahweh. 23Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: 24and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures. 25His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son. 26This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. 27They dedicated some of the spoil won in battles to repair the house of Yahweh. 28All that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers.
Other Officials
29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. 30Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valour, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king. 31Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers’ households. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead. 32His brothers, men of valour, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers’ households, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.
CHAPTER 27 Oct. 10
The Monthly Battalions
Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand. 2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 3He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. 4Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 6This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty; and of his division was Ammizabad his son. 7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 8The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
The Rulers of the Tribes
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: 17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok: 18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: 20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said He would increase Israel like the stars of the sky. 24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but didn’t finish; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David. 25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah. 26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub. 27And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. And over the increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. And over the cellars of oil was Joash. 29And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30And over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. And over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. 32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. 33Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s advisor; 34and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. The captain of the king’s army was Joab.
CHAPTER 28 Oct. 11
David Charges Solomon about the Temple
David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by division, the captains of thousands and hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valour, to Jerusalem. 2Then David the king stood up on his feet and said, Hear me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building. 3But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood’. 4However Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of Yahweh’s kingdom over Israel. 6He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father. 7I will establish his kingdom forever, if he continues to do My commandments and My ordinances as he does at this time’. 8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 9You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.
David’s Preparation for the Temple
11Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of its houses, and of its treasuries, and of the upper rooms of it, and of the inner rooms of it, and of the place of the mercy seat; 12and the pattern of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of God’s house, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; 13also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the vessels of service in the house of Yahweh; 14of gold by weight for the gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service; 15by weight also for the lampstands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lampstand; 16and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; 17and the forks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl; 18and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, the cherubim, that spread out, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. 19All this, said David, I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern. 20David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished. 21Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of God’s house. There shall be with you in all kinds of work every willing man who has skill, for any kind of service. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.
CHAPTER 29 Oct. 12
David Addresses Israel and They Respond Generously
David the king said to all the assembly, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God. 2Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work and of various colours, all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 3In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the house; 5of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Yahweh? 6Then the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly; 7and they gave for the service of God’s house five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, and of silver ten thousand talents, of brass eighteen thousand talents and of iron a hundred thousand talents. 8They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a complete heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. 10Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and You are exalted as head above all. 12Both riches and honour come from You, and You rule over all; in Your hand is power and might; it is in Your hand to make great, and to give strength to all. 13Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You. 15For we are strangers before You, and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining. 16Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand, and is all Your own. 17I know also, my God, that You try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now have I seen with joy Your people, that are present here, offer willingly to You. 18Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and prepare their heart for You. 19Give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. 20David said to all the assembly, Now bless Yahweh your God!
The Death of David
All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king. 21They sacrificed sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel, 22and ate and drink before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to Yahweh to be prince, and Zadok to be priest. 23Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 24All the princes, the mighty men, and also all the sons of king David submitted themselves to Solomon the king. 25Yahweh magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 26Now David the son of Jesse had reigned over all Israel. 27The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28He died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the history of Gad the seer, 30with accounts of all his reign and his might, and the circumstances which he and all Israel experienced, and those of all the kingdoms of the surrounding countries.