Amplified Bible (AMP)

David’s Messengers Abused

1 Now it came about after this, that Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place.

2 David said, “I will be kind (gracious) to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father was kind to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning [the death of] his father. And the servants of David came to the land of the Ammonites to comfort Hanun.

3 But the leaders of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think that David has sent people to consoleandcomfort you because he honors your father? Have his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”

4 Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them [cutting off half their beards], and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their buttocks, and sent them away [in humiliation].

5 When David was told how the men were treated, he sentmessengersto meet them, for they were very humiliatedandashamed [to return]. So the king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow [back], andthenreturn.”

6 When the Ammonites saw that they had made themselves hateful to David, Hanun and his people sent 1,000 talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.

7 So they hired for themselves 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah and his troops, who came and camped before Medeba. And the Ammonites gathered together from their cities and came to battle.

8 When David heardabout it, he sent Joab and all the army of courageous men.

9 The Ammonites came out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city [Medeba], while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.

Ammon and Aram Defeated

10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in the front and in the rear, he chosewarriorsfrom all the choice men of Israel and put them in formation against the Arameans (Syrians).

11 The rest of the soldiers he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and they lined up against the Ammonites.

12 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you.

13 Be strong and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lorddo what is good in His sight.”

14 So Joab and the people who were with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him.

15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled before Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city [Medeba]. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

16 When the Arameans (Syrians) saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the [Euphrates] River, with Shophach the commander of the army of Hadadezer leading them.

17 When this was told to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan, and came upon them and drew up in formation against them. So when David drew up in battle array against the Arameans, they fought against him.

18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed of the Arameans 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, and put to death Shophach the commander of the army.

19 When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject toandserved him. And the Arameans (Syrians) were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.

War with Philistine Giants

1 Then it happened at the end of the year,at the time when kings go outto battle,Joab led out the army and ravagedanddevastated the land of the Ammonites, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem [with Bathsheba]. Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it.

2 David took the crown of their king from his head and found that itweighed a talent of gold and that there was a precious stone in it; so it was set on David’s head. He also brought a very great amount of spoil (plunder) out of the city [of Rabbah].

3 He brought out the people who were in it, andput them [to work] with saws, iron picks, and axes. David dealtin this waywith all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 Now it came about after this that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines; then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of thegiants, and they were subdued.

5 There was war again with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

6 Again there was war at Gath, where there was a man ofgreatstature who had twenty-four fingers and toes, sixfingers on each handand sixtoes on each foot;and he also was descended from the giants.

7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Census Brings Pestilence

1 Satan [the adversary] stood up against Israel and incited David tocount [the population of] Israel.

2 So David said to Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me their total, so that I may know it.”

3 Joab said, “May the Lordadd to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt on Israel?”

4 But the king’s word prevailed over Joab. So Joab left and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.

5 Then Joab gave the total of the census of the people to David. And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and in Judah 470,000 men who drew the sword.

6 But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, because the king’s order was detestable to Joab.

7 Now God was displeased with this act [of arrogance and pride], and He struck Israel.

8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the wickednessandguilt of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

9 And the Lordsaid to Gad, David’s seer,

10 “Go and tell David, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I offer you threechoices;choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you [as punishment for your sin].”’”

11 So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Choose for yourself

12 either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your enemies, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lordand plague in the land, and the angel of the Lordbringing destruction throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.”

13 David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

14 So the Lordsent a plague on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell.

15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; and as he was destroying it, the Lordlooked, and relented concerning the catastrophe and said to the destroying angel, “It is enough; now remove your hand [of judgment].” And the angel of the Lordwas standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

16 Then David raised his eyes and saw the angel of the Lordstanding between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered in sackcloth, fell on their faces.

17 David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded the people to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done evil; but as for these sheep [the people of Israel], what have they done? O Lordmy God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

David’s Altar

18 Then the angel of the Lordcommanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and build an altar to the Lordon thethreshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

19 So David went up at Gad’s word, which he spoke in the name of the Lord.

20 Now Ornan was threshing wheat, and he turned back and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves.

21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw him, and went out from the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.

22 Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of this threshing floor, so that I may build an altar on it to the Lord. You shall charge me the full price for it, so that the plague may be averted from the people.”

23 Ornan said to David, “Take it for yourself; and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. See, I will give you the oxen also for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges (heavy wooden platforms) for wood and the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all.”

24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, I will certainly pay the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.”

25 So David gave Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site.

26 Then David built an altar to the Lordthere and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called on the Lord, and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

27 Then the Lordcommanded the [avenging] angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

28 At that time, when David saw that the Lordhad answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.

29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the high place at Gibeon.

30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the Lord.

David Prepares for Temple Building

1 Then David said, “This is the house of the LordGod, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”

2 So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he assigned stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.

3 David prepared large quantities of iron to make nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps (trusses), and more bronze than could be weighed;

4 and cedar trees beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David.

5 David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lordshall be exceedingly magnificent, famous, and an object of gloryandsplendor throughout all lands [of the earth]. So now I will make preparations for it.” Therefore, David made ample preparations before his death.

Solomon Charged with the Task

6 Then he called for Solomon his son and ordered him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.

7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house for theName (Presence) of the Lordmy God.

8 But the word of the Lordcame to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house for My Name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before me.

9 ~‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who will be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.

10 ~‘He shall build a house for My Name (Presence). He shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish his royal throne over Israel forever.’

11 Now, my son, may the Lordbe with you so that you may be successful and build the house of the Lordyour God, just as He has spoken concerning you.

12 Only may the Lordgive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lordyour God.

13 Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observeandfulfill the statutes and ordinances which the Lordcommanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.

14 Now listen,with great trouble I have preparedandprovided for the house of the Lord100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for they are great in quantity. I have also preparedandprovided timber and stone, and you may add to them.

15 Further, you have workmen in abundance: stonecutters and stonemasons and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work.

16 As for the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no limit. So arise and begin working, and may the Lordbe with you.”

17 David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son,saying,

18 “Is not the Lordyour God with you? And has He not given you restandpeace on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lordand before His people.

19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek (inquire of, require as your vital necessity) the Lordyour God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LordGod, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lordand the holy articlesandutensils of God into the house built for the Name (Presence) of the Lord.”

Solomon Reigns

1 When David reached old age, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

2 And he assembled together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and Levites.

Offices of the Levites

3 The Levites thirty years old and upward were counted, and their number man by man was 38,000.

4 Of these24,000 were to overseeandinspect the work of the house of the Lordand 6,000 were to be administrators and judges,

5 and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 [musicians] were to praise the Lordwith the instruments which David made for giving praise.

6 And David organized them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Gershonites

7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan (Libni) and Shimei.

8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the first and Zetham and Joel–threein all.

9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran–threein all. These were the heads of the fathers’householdsof Ladan.

10 The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina (Zizah), Jeush, and Beriah. These were the four sons of Shimei.

11 Jahath was the first and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons [not enough for a father’s house or clan], so they were [counted together] as one father’s household, one working group.

Kohathites

12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel–fourin all.

13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to consecrate him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the Lord, attend to His service, and to bless [worshipers] in His name forever.

14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were counted among the tribe of Levi.

15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.

16 The son of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.

17 The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah’s sons were very many [in number].

18 The son of Izhar: Shelomith the chief.

19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the first and Isshiah the second.

Merarites

21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

22 Eleazar died and had no sons, but daughters only, and their relatives, the sons of Kish, took them as wives.

23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth–threein all.

Duties Revised

24 These were the Levites by their fathers’ households, the heads of the fathers’householdsof those registered, according to the number of names of the individuals who were the servants of the house of the Lord, from twenty years old and upward.

25 For David said, “The LordGod of Israel, has given peaceandrest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever.

26 Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service.”

27 For by the last words of David, the Levites from twenty years old and above were counted.

28 For their duty is to assist [the priests] the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in [caring for] the courtyards, the chambers, the purifying of all holy things, and any work of the service of the house of God,

29 and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, orwhat is baked inthe pan or what is well-mixed, and all measures of volume and size [as the Law of Moses required].

30 They are to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening,

31 and to offer all burnt sacrifices to the Lordon the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the festivals by number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before the Lord.

32 So they shall be responsible for the Tent of Meeting, the Holy Place, and the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the Lord.

Divisions of Levites

1 The divisions of thedescendants of Aaronwere these:the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

3 David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for theirassignedduties.

4 Since there were more chief men found among the descendants of Eleazar than among the descendants of Ithamar [because of Eli’s misfortunes, and Saul’s massacre of the priests at Nob], they were divided in this way: sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, corresponding to their fathers’ households.

5 So they were divided by lot, one group with the other; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers (high priests) of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and from the descendants of Ithamar.

6 Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the officers, Zadok the priest,Ahimelech the son of Abiathar [the priest who escaped Saul’s massacre at Nob], and the heads of the fathers’householdsof the priests and of the Levites; one father’s household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.

7 The lots fell, the first one to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,

17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,

18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19 These were their officesandpositions for their service in the house of the Lordaccording to the ordinance given to them by their father (ancestor) Aaron, just as the LordGod of Israel had commanded him.

20 Now as for the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram: Shubael; of the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.

21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah: Isshiah the first.

22 Of the Izharites: Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.

23 The sonsof Hebron:Jeriahthe first,Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

24 Of the sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.

25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, Beno.

27 The sons of Merari: by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

28 By Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 By Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel.

30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.

31 These also cast lots as did their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’householdsof the priests and of the Levites–the head of father’shouseholdsas well as those of his younger brother.

Number and Services of Musicians

1 Moreover, David and the commanders of the army selected for the [temple] service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were toprophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The list of the musicians who performed their service wasas follows:

2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesiedunder thedirection of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.

4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.

5 All these [men] were the sons of Heman the king’s seer toexalt him in accordance with the words of God; for God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the orderanddirection of the king.

7 So their number [who led the remainder of the 4,000], with their relatives who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288.

Divisions of Musicians

8 The musicians cast lots for their duties, everyone alike, the small (younger) as well as the great (older), the teacheras wellas the student.

9 The first lot for Asaph fell to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him, his relatives and his sons, twelve;

10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

24 the seventeenth of Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve;

31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve.

Divisions of the Gatekeepers

1 For the divisions of the gatekeepers: Of the Korahites: Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.

4 Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God had blessed him.

6 Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled over the house of their father, for they were courageous men of ability.

7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were courageousandable men, Elihu and Semachiah.

8 All these were sons of Obed-edom [in whose house the ark was kept], they and their sons and relatives, strongandable men for the service–sixty-two from Obed-edom.

9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, eighteen courageous men.

10 Also Hosah, one of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the firstandchief (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him first),

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; the sons and relatives of Hosah were thirteen in all.

12 To these divisions of the gatekeepers, the chief men,were givenduties, like their relatives, to minister in the house of the Lord.

13 They cast lots, the small (younger) and great (older) alike, in accordance with their fathers’ households, for every gate.

14 The lot for the east [gates] fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the north [gates].

15 To Obed-edom [it came out] for the south [gates], and the storehousewas allottedto his sons.

16 To Shuppim and Hosah [the lot fell] for the west [gates], by the gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending highway, division by division.

17 On the east were six Levites, on the north four a day, on the south four a day, and two by two at the storehouse.

18 At thecolonnade on the west side [of the outer court of the temple]there werefour at the road and two at the colonnade.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

Keepers of the Treasure

20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts.

21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan,namely,the Jehielites,werethe heads of the fathers’households, belonging to Ladan the Gershonite.

22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

23 Of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites:

24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was supervisor over the treasuries.

25 His relatives by Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth.

26 This Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts which King David, the heads of the fathers’households, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the commanders of the army, had dedicated.

27 From spoil won in battles they dedicatedgiftsto maintainandrepair the house of the Lord.

28 Also all that Samuel the seer had dedicated, and Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah, everyone who had dedicatedanything,this was in the care of Shelomoth and his relatives.

Outside Duties

29 Of the Izharites: Chenaniah and his sons wereappointedto outside duties for Israel, as administrators and judges.

30 Of the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were in charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the Lordand the service of the king.

31 Of the Hebronites: Jerijah was the chief (these Hebronites were examined according to their descendants and fathers’householdsin the fortieth [and final] year of David’s reign, and men of courageandability were found among them at Jazer in Gilead)

32 and Jerijah’s relatives, 2,700 capable men, were heads of fathers’households;and King David made them overseers of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for everything pertaining to God and to the king.

Commanders of the Army

1 This is the list of the sons (descendants) of Israel, the heads of fathers’households, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout the year, each divisionnumbering24,000:

2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month; and in his division were 24,000.

3 He wasdescended from Perez,and waschief of all the commanders of the army for the first month.

4 Dodai the Ahohite and his division was in charge of the division for the second month, Mikloth was the chief officer; and in his division were 24,000.

5 The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, as chief; and in his division were 24,000.

6 This is the Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and was in charge of the thirty; and Ammizabad his son wasoverhis division.

7 The fourth, for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were 24,000.

8 The fifth, for the fifth month was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were 24,000.

9 The sixth, for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his division were 24,000.

10 The seventh, for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000.

11 The eighth, for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000.

12 The ninth, for the ninth month was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjamite; and in his division were 24,000.

13 The tenth, for the tenth month was Maharai from Netophah of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000.

14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000.

15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel; and in his division were 24,000.

Chief Officers of the Tribes

16 Now in charge of the tribes of Israel [were the following]: chief officer of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;

17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;

18 of Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;

19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;

20 of the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;

22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, for the Lordhad said he would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.

24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census but did not finish; and because of this, [God’s] wrath came on Israel, and the number was not recorded in the chronicles of King David.

Various Overseers

25 Azmaveth the son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storerooms; and Jonathan the son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers.

26 Ezri the son of Chelub was in charge of those who did the work of the field, tilling the soil.

27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards; Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars.

28 Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive andsycamore trees in Shephelah (the lowlands); and Joash was in charge of the stores of [olive] oil.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the cattle grazing in Sharon; Shaphat the son of Adlai was in charge of the cattle in the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels; and Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were overseersandstewards of the property which belonged to King David.

Counselors

32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselorandadvisor, a man of understandingandwisdom, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended (tutored) the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophel was counselor to the king; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companionandfriend.

34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and by Abiathar; and Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

David’s Address about the Temple

1 David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders (officials) of Israel, the leaders of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, and the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, with the palace officers and the mighty men, and all the brave warriors.

2 Then David the king rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers [in arms] and my people. I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the Lordand as a footstool for our God, and I prepared materials for the building.

3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My Name (Presence), because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

4 However, the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from all in my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be the leader; and in the house (tribe) of Judah he chose the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.

5 Of all my sons (for the Lordhas given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lordover Israel.

6 He said to me, ‘Solomon your son shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him.

7 ~‘I will establish his kingdom forever if he loyallyandcontinually obeys My commandments and My ordinances, as is done today.’

8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the Lordyour God so that you may possess the good land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons after you forever.

9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the Lordsearches all heartsandminds, and understands every intentandinclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; butif you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever.

10 Consider this carefully, for the Lordhas chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be courageousandstrong and do it.”

11 Then David gave to his son Solomon the plan for the porchof the temple,its buildings, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner rooms, and for the place for the [ark and its] mercy seat;

12 and the plan of all that he had inmind, for the courts of the house of the Lord, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the storerooms of the house of God and for the storerooms for the dedicated giftsandofferings;

13 the planfor the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service in the house of the Lordand for all the utensils for service in the house of the Lord;

14 for the goldenutensils,the weight of gold and silver for all the gold and silver articles for every kind of service;

15 and the weightof goldfor the golden lampstands and their golden lamps, with the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; and theweight of silverfor the silver lampstands, with the weight of each lampstand and its lamps according to the use of each lampstand;

16 the gold by weight for each table of showbread, and the silver for the tables of silver;

17 and the forks, the basins, and the pitchers of pure gold; and for the golden bowls with the weight for each bowl; and for the silver bowls with the weight for each bowl;

18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the model of the chariot of the cherubim that spreadtheir wingsand covered the ark of the Lord’scovenant.

19 “Allthis,” said David,“the Lordmade me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the workanddetails [to be done] according to this plan.”

20 Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and take action; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LordGod, my God, is with you. He will not fail you norabandon you [but will guide you in the construction] until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

21 And see, [you have] the divisions of the priests and Levites for all the service of God’s house, and every willing, skillful man will be with you in all the kinds of work for any kind of service. Also the officers and all the people will be entirely at your command.”