Bible in 90 Days
The Death of Saul and His Sons(A)
10 The Philistines were fighting against Israel, and each[a] soldier[b] of Israel fled before the Philistines. They fell slain on the mountain of Gilboa. 2 The Philistines followed after Saul and after his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons. 3 The heaviest fighting was against Saul,[c] and when the archers who were shooting located Saul, he was gravely wounded by them.[d]
4 Saul ordered his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised people will come and abuse me.”
But his armor bearer did not want to do it[e] because he was very frightened, so Saul took the sword and fell on it. 5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his[f] sword and died. 6 Therefore Saul, his three sons, and all his entire household died together. 7 When that part of the army[g] of Israel that was in the valley saw that the rest of the[h] army of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and occupied them.
The Philistines Desecrate Saul’s Body(B)
8 The Philistines came to strip the dead the next day, and they found Saul dead on Gilboa mountain, along with his sons. 9 They stripped him, took his head and armor, and sent messengers throughout the territory of the Philistines to report the news to their idols and to the people. 10 Then they put Saul’s[i] armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his skull to the wall of[j] the temple of Dagon.
The People of Jabesh-gilead Give Saul a Proper Burial(C)
11 When all the residents of[k] Jabesh-gilead heard everything that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 every valiant soldier[l] got up, removed the bodies of Saul and his sons, took them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the tamarisk[m] tree in Jabesh. Then they fasted for seven days. 13 So Saul died for his transgressions; that is, he acted unfaithfully to the Lord by transgressing the message from the Lord (which he did not keep), by consulting a medium for advice, 14 and by not seeking counsel[n] from the Lord, who therefore put him to death and turned the kingdom over to Jesse’s son David.
David is Anointed King(D)
11 Later on, all of Israel gathered together at Hebron in order to tell David, “Look, we’re your own flesh and blood![o] 2 Even back when Saul was ruling as king, you kept on leading the army of Israel out to battle[p] and bringing them in again.[q] The Lord your God told you, ‘You yourself will shepherd my people Israel and will be Commander-in-Chief[r] over my people Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel approached the king at Hebron, where David entered into a covenant in[s] the presence of the Lord. Then they anointed David to be king over Israel, just as the Lord had sent word through[t] Samuel.
David Captures Jerusalem
4 Later, David and all of Israel marched to Jerusalem (then known as Jebus, where the Jebusites lived when they inhabited the land). 5 The inhabitants of Jebus told David, “You’re not coming in here!” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, now known as the City of David.
6 David had announced, “Whoever first attacks the Jebusites will be appointed chief and commander.” When Zeruiah’s son Joab went up first, he became chief. 7 David occupied[u] the fortress, so it was named the City of David after him. 8 He built up the walls surrounding the city in a complete circle from the terrace ramparts,[v] and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 David became more and more prestigious because the Lord of the Heavenly Armies was with him.
David’s Elite Soldiers(E)
10 These are the leaders of the elite warriors who were strong supporters of David in his kingdom, along with all of Israel, in keeping with the message from the Lord concerning Israel. 11 This record of the warriors who were for David included[w] Hachmoni’s son Jashobeam,[x] leader of the platoons,[y] who killed 300 with his spear in a single encounter.
12 Next to him among the Three Warriors[z] was Dodo[aa] the Ahohite’s son Eleazar. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines were there to engage them in battle. There was a field planted with barley, and the army had run away from the Philistines, 14 but they took a defensive stand in the middle of the field and killed the Philistines while the Lord saved them by means of a great victory.[ab]
15 Later, the Three Warriors went down to David’s hideout[ac] at the cave of Adullam when the Philistine army was camping in the valley of giants.[ad] 16 David was living in that stronghold at the time, while a Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem. 17 David expressed a longing, “Oh, how I wish someone would get me a drink of water from the Bethlehem well that’s by the city gate!” 18 So the Three Warriors broke through the Philistine ranks, drew some water from the Bethlehem well that was next to the city gate, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it, poured it out in the Lord’s presence, and 19 said in response, “May God forbid me to do this! I won’t drink the blood of these men, will I? After all, they risked their lives to bring it to me.”[ae] That’s why he wouldn’t drink it. The Three Warriors did these things.
David’s Other Valiant Soldiers(F)
20 Joab’s brother Abishai was the lieutenant[af] in charge of the platoons. He used his spear to fight and kill 300 men, gaining a reputation distinct from the Three. 21 He was more well-known than the Three,[ag] but he never attained the stature of the Three.
22 Jehoiada’s son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named[ah] Ariel from Moab[ai] and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day. 23 He also killed a soldier[aj] from Egypt of enormous height—five cubits[ak] tall. The Egyptian carried a spear comparable in size to a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah attacked him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Benaiah did things like this and gained a reputation comparable to the Three Warriors. 25 He was well known among the platoons, but he didn’t measure up to[al] the Three Warriors. David placed him in charge of his security detail.
26 The elite forces included Asahel (Joab’s brother), Dodo’s son Elhanan from Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth from Haror,[am] Helez the Pelonite,[an] 28 Ikkesh’s son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai from Netophah, Baanah’s son Heled from Netophah, 31 Ribai’s son Ithai from Gibeah, controlled by[ao] the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, 32 Hurai from the wadis[ap] of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth from Baharum, Eliahba from Shaalbon, 34 Hashem the Gizonite, Shagee the Hararite’s son Jonathan, 35 Sachar the Hararite’s son Ahiam, Ur’s son Eliphal, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro from Carmel, Ezbai’s son Naarai, 38 Joel (Nathan’s brother), Hagri’s son Mibhar, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Ahlai’s son Zabad, 42 Shiza the Reubenite’s son Adina, a leader of the descendants of Reuben, along with thirty others with him, 43 Maacah’s son Hanan, Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Hotham the Aroerite’s sons Shama and Jeiel, 45 Shimri’s son Jediael and his brother Joha the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, Elnaam’s sons Jeribai and Joshaviah, Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
David’s Time in the Wilderness(G)
12 Here’s a list of those who came to David at Ziklag when he was unable to travel freely due to Saul son of Kish. They were among the elite soldiers who assisted him in battle. 2 Equipped as archers, they could use both their right and left hands to shoot arrows and hurl stones. As descendants of Benjamin, they were Saul’s relatives. 3 Their leaders were Shemaah’s sons Ahiezer and Joash from Gibeah, Azmaveth’s sons Jeziel and Pelet, Beracah, Jehu from Anathoth, 4 Ishmaiah from Gibeon (who was one of the elite among the Thirty and in charge over them),[aq] Jeremiah,[ar] Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad from Gederah, 5 [as]Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the descendants of Korah, 7 and Jeroham’s sons Joelah and Zebadiah from Gedor.
8 Mighty and experienced warriors from the descendants of Gad joined David at his wilderness stronghold. They were expert handlers of both shield and spear, with hardened looks[at] and as agile[au] as a gazelle on a mountain slope. 9 Their leader was Ezer, Obadiah was second, Eliab third, 10 Mishmannah fourth, Jeremiah fifth, 11 Attai sixth, Eliel seventh, 12 Johanan eighth, Elzabad ninth, 13 Jeremiah tenth, and Machbannai eleventh. 14 These descendants of Gad were army leaders. The least of them[av] was equal to a hundred other soldiers[aw] and the greatest to a thousand. 15 These men[ax] crossed the Jordan in the first month of the year[ay] during flood season and chased out everyone in the valleys, to the east and to the west.
16 Later, some descendants of Benjamin and Judah approached David at his stronghold, 17 and David went out to meet them. He told them, “If you’ve come in peace to be of help to me, then you’ll have my commitment.[az] But if you’ve come to betray me to my enemies, even though I’m innocent of wrongdoing, then may the God of our ancestors watch and judge.”
18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, leader of the Thirty, and he said,
“David, we belong to you;
we’re with you, son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
and peace to the one who helps you!
For your deliverer is your God.”
So David received them and assigned them to be officers over troops. 19 Some of the descendants of Manasseh joined[ba] David when he was going to fight against Saul, accompanied by the Philistines. Even so, David was of no help to them, because the Philistine rulers were counseled to send him away. They told themselves, “He’s going to go over to his master Saul at the cost of our heads.”
20 As he traveled toward Ziklag, these descendants of Manasseh joined[bb] him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders in charge thousands in Manasseh. 21 They helped David against raiders, since they were all warriors and commanders in the army. 22 Indeed people kept coming to David every day to help him, until his army became a great, vast army.[bc]
David’s Army at Hebron
23 What follows is a listing of the divisions of battle-ready troops who joined David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, in accordance with what the Lord had spoken. 24 The army of Judah, equipped with both shields and spears, numbered 6,800 warriors, 25 the elite warriors of Simeon numbered 7,100, 26 and the descendants of Levi numbered 4,600.
27 Jehoiada, a senior officer[bd] in the house of Aaron, brought[be] with him 3,700. 28 Zadok, a young and valiant soldier, brought 22 commanders from his own ancestral house.
29 The tribe of[bf] Benjamin, relatives of Saul numbered 3,000, of whom most had remained allied to what remained of[bg] Saul’s dynasty.
30 The tribe of Ephraim supplied[bh] 20,800 valiant soldiers who were well known in their ancestral households.
31 The half-tribe of Manasseh supplied 18,000, who had been appointed specifically to come and establish David as king.
32 The tribe of Issachar supplied 200 leaders, along with all of their relatives under their command. They kept up-to-date in their understanding of the times and knew what Israel should do.
33 The tribe of Zebulun supplied 50,000 experienced troops, trained in the use of every kind of war weapon, in order to help David[bi] with undivided loyalty.
34 The tribe of Naphtali supplied 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 troops armed with shields and spears.
35 The tribe of Dan supplied 28,600 battle-ready troops.
36 The tribe of Asher supplied 40,000 experienced, battle-ready troops.
37 The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh east of[bj] the Jordan supplied 120,000 men armed with every kind of war weapon.
38 All these warriors arrived in battle order at Hebron, fully intending to establish David as king over all Israel. Furthermore, all of the rest of Israel were united in their intent to make David king. 39 They spent three days eating and drinking with David, since their relatives had supplied provisions for them.
40 Their neighbors came from as far away as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, bringing provisions loaded on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. They brought[bk] abundant provisions of meal, fig bars, raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep, because there was joy in Israel.
The Ark is Moved from Kiriath-jearim(H)
13 Later, David conferred with every officer[bl] in charge of groups of thousands and groups of[bm] hundreds. 2 Then he[bn] addressed the entire community of Israel, “If it seems good to you and something from the Lord our God, let’s spread word to all of our relatives who remain throughout the entire land of Israel, including the priests and descendants of Levi in the cities and pasture lands, so they can gather together with us. 3 Then let’s bring the Ark of God back to us, because we didn’t consult it during Saul’s reign.”[bo] 4 The entire community consented, because doing so pleased all the people. 5 So David assembled all of Israel—from the Shihor River of Egypt to Lebo-hamath—in order to bring the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.
6 David, accompanied by all of Israel, went up to Baalah (the former name of Kiriath-jearim), which belonged to Judah, to bring from there the Ark of God, the Lord, who sits enthroned on the cherubim, and who is called the Name.[bp] 7 They mounted the Ark of God on a new cart, bringing it from Abinadab’s home, with Uzzah and Ahio driving the cart. 8 David and all of Israel were dancing in the presence of God with all of their[bq] might with songs,[br] harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 9 As they approached Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. 10 Just then, the anger of the Lord blazed against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark, and he died right there in the presence of God.
11 David flew into a rage because the Lord had killed[bs] Uzzah. As a result, that place was called Perez-uzzah[bt] to this day. 12 But David feared God that day, and asked “How am I to bring the Ark of God to me?” 13 As a result, David would not take the ark into the City of David for it to be in his care. Instead, he took it to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 So the Ark of God remained in the care of Obed-edom’s household for three months, and God blessed Obed-edom’s household, along with everyone associated with it.
David Settles in Jerusalem(I)
14 After this, King Hiram of Tyre sent a delegation to David, accompanied by cedar[bu] logs, stone masons, and wood workers, to construct a palace for him. 2 David realized that the Lord was affirming him as king over Israel, and that his government was being exalted in order to benefit his people Israel. 3 But while he was living in Jerusalem, David married more wives and fathered more sons and daughters. 4 Here’s a list of the children whom he fathered while in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines(J)
8 When the Philistines learned that David had been anointed king over all of Israel, all of the Philistines invaded to look for David. David heard about it and went out to fight them. 9 Meanwhile, the Philistines had invaded and raided the Rephaim Valley. 10 So David asked God, “Am I to go out against the Philistines? Will you give me victory over them?”[bv]
“Go out,” the Lord replied to him, “and I’ll put them right into your hand.”
11 So David[bw] went out to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines[bx] there. David observed, “Like an overwhelming flood, God has overwhelmed[by] my enemies, using me to do it.”[bz] That’s why that place is called Baal-perazim.[ca] 12 The Philistines[cb] abandoned their gods there, so David ordered that their idols be incinerated.
13 Later the Philistines invaded the Rephaim[cc] Valley again. 14 When David asked God about it, God told him, “Don’t directly attack them. Instead, go around them and come up against them opposite those balsam trees. 15 When you hear the sound of marching coming from the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, because God will have gone out ahead of you to destroy the Philistine army.” 16 So David did just as God had ordered, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 Then David’s reputation spread through all of the neighboring countries,[cd] and the Lord caused all nations[ce] to be afraid of David.
A Place for the Ark is Prepared(K)
15 David built palaces for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the Ark of God and erected a tent for it. 2 Then David ordered that the Ark of God was to be carried by no one except the descendants of Levi, because the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve him forever. 3 David assembled all of Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its proper place that he had prepared for it.
Ministry Appointments
4 David also assembled the descendants of Aaron, who were descendants of Levi, 5 including[cf] Uriel their leader from the descendants of Kohath, along with 120 of his relatives, 6 from the descendants of Merari, Asaiah their leader, along with 220 of his relatives, 7 from the descendants of Gershom, Joel their chief, along with 130 of his relatives, 8 from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah their leader, along with 200 of his relatives, 9 from Hebron’s descendants, Eliel their leader, along with 80 of his relatives, 10 and from Uzziel’s descendants, Amminadab their leader, along with 112 of his relatives.
11 Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, along with the descendants of Levi Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab 12 and addressed them: “As leaders of your Levitical families, set yourselves apart, both you and your relatives, so you can be qualified to[cg] bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I’ve prepared for it. 13 Because you didn’t carry it from the very first, the Lord our God attacked[ch] us, since we didn’t care for it appropriately.” 14 So the priests and descendants of Levi set themselves apart to carry the ark of the Lord God of Israel. 15 The descendants of Levi carried the Ark of God the way Moses had commanded and in accordance with the command from[ci] the Lord—that is, with poles[cj] on their shoulders.
Music Ministry Appointments
16 David also told the leaders of the descendants of Levi to appoint their relatives as singers, to play musical instruments such as harps, lyres, and cymbals, and to keep sounding aloud with joyful voices. 17 So the descendants of Levi appointed Joel’s son Heman, his relative Berechiah’s son Asaph, as well as certain[ck] relatives of Merari’s sons, including[cl] Kushaiah’s son Ethan, 18 their second order relatives[cm] Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, as well as the trustees[cn] Obed-edom and Jeiel. 19 The singers included Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (who played bronze cymbals). 20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played harps to accompany the women singers,[co] 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led on lyres, sounding the octaves.[cp] 22 Chenaniah, music leader for the descendants of Levi, served as music director, because he was expert at it. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah served as gatekeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were appointed to sound the trumpets before the Ark of God, and Obed-edom and Jehiah were trustees[cq] for the ark.
The Ark is Moved to Jerusalem
25 Then David, the elders of Israel, and the leaders of groups of thousands[cr] proceeded to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Obed-edom’s house, rejoicing as they went.[cs] 26 As God helped the descendants of Levi who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David wore a robe made from fine linen, as did all of the descendants of Levi who were carrying the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music and choir director. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 All of Israel were bringing up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, accompanied by shouting, sounding of horns, trumpets, and cymbals, along with loud music on harps and lyres. 29 But as the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord approached the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal was peering out a window, watching King David dancing and cavorting around, and she despised him in her heart.
The Ark is Placed in the Tent(L)
16 They brought the Ark of God, placed it within the tent that David had erected, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings in the presence of God. 2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord 3 and distributed a loaf of bread, a date bar, and a raisin bar to every person in Israel—that is, to each man and to each woman. 4 In the presence of the ark of the Lord, he appointed some of the descendants of Levi to minister continually by remembering,[ct] giving thanks, and praising the Lord God of Israel. 5 Their director Asaph played cymbals, and next to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who played harps and lyres. 6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played the trumpets continually in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant of God.
David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving(M)
7 On that very day, David composed this psalm of thanksgiving to the Lord just for[cu] Asaph and his companions:[cv]
8 Give thanks to the Lord,
calling on his name.
Make what he has done known among the people.
9 Sing to him,
sing psalms to him,
and think[cw] about all of his miraculous deeds.
10 Find joy in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who keep on seeking the Lord rejoice.
11 Seek the Lord and his strength.
Always look to him.[cx]
12 Keep remembering the awesome deeds that he has done,
along with his miracles
and the rulings that he has handed down,
13 you descendants of his servant Israel,
you descendants of Jacob,
the ones he has chosen.
14 He is the Lord our God.
His justice is in all of the land.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
his promise that he made to the thousandth generation,
16 the covenant[cy] that he made with Abraham,
and the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob in the form of an ordinance,
an eternal covenant to Israel,
18 when he told Israel,
“To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your joyful inheritance.”[cz]
19 When you were few in number—
very few, and strangers at that—
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another,
21 he did not let anyone wrong them.
He warned kings on their behalf,
22 “Don’t touch my chosen ones,
and don’t hurt my prophets!”
23 Let all the earth sing to the Lord!
Day after day proclaim his deliverance![da]
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
and his miraculous deeds to all people,
25 because the Lord is great,
and he is praised greatly!
He is feared above every god.
26 For all of the gods of the other[db] nations are mere[dc] idols,
but the Lord fashioned the heavens!
27 Splendor and majesty surround him,
and strength and joy fill his palace.[dd]
28 Let the families of earth recognize the Lord—
that he is glorious and powerful.
29 Recognize the glory that is due the Lord!
Bring your offering,
and come into his presence,
worshiping the Lord in all of his holy splendor.
30 Tremble in his presence, all the earth!
Surely the inhabited world[de] stands firm—
it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice,
and the earth be glad!
Say to the nations,
“The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar
along with everything that fills it!
Let the fields exult,
along with everything in them!
33 Then let the trees in the forest sing out in praise,
for the Lord is coming to judge the world.
34 Give thanks to the Lord,
because he is good
and because his gracious love is eternal!
35 Call out,[df] “Save us, God, you who delivers us!
Gather us and rescue us from the nations!”
We will thank your holy name
and rejoice as we praise you!
36 Praise the Lord God of Israel,
who lives from eternity to eternity!
Then all of the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.
David Establishes Regular Worship
37 Later David[dg] left the presence of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord so Asaph and his fellow descendants of Levi could serve the ark there continually each day, doing whatever was required. 38 Obed-edom and 68 of his relatives remained also, with Jeduthun’s son Obed-edom and Hosah serving as trustees.[dh] 39 He left Zadok the priest and his relatives at the Tent of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon, where they ministered in the Lord’s presence, 40 sacrificing the regular burnt offerings regularly each morning and evening to the Lord on the altar dedicated to that purpose, doing everything written in the Law of the Lord, just as he had commanded Israel.
41 David[di] also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and others chosen by name to give thanks to the Lord, because “his gracious love is eternal.”[dj] 42 They accompanied their songs of praise to God with trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments while Jeduthun’s children served as trustees.[dk] 43 After this, everyone left for their own homes and David went home to bless his own household.
God Establishes His Covenant with David(N)
17 After David had settled down to live in his palace, he[dl] spoke with the prophet Nathan. “Look, here I am living in this[dm] cedar palace, but the ark of the Lord’s covenant remains surrounded by curtains!”
2 “Do everything you have in mind,”[dn] Nathan replied to David, “because God is with you.”
3 But later that same night, this message came to Nathan from God:
4 “Go tell David, my servant, ‘This is what the Lord says:
“‘“You won’t be building a house[do] for me to inhabit, will you? 5 After all, I haven’t lived in a house from the day I brought out Israel until today. Instead, I’ve lived from tent to tent and from one place to another.[dp] 6 Wherever I’ve moved within all of Israel, did I ever ask even one judge of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people, ‘Why haven’t you built me a cedar house?’”’
7 “Now therefore this is what you are to tell my servant David:
‘This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says: “I took you from the pasture myself—from tending sheep—to become Commander-in-Chief[dq] over my people Israel.
8 “‘“Furthermore, I have remained with you everywhere you have gone, annihilating all your enemies right in front of you. I will make your reputation[dr] great, like the reputation[ds] of the great ones who have lived on[dt] earth. 9 I will establish a homeland[du] for my people Israel, planting them in a secure location where they will never be disturbed anymore. Wicked people[dv] will not oppress them as happened in the past, 10 during the time I had commanded judges to administer[dw] my people Israel. I’ll also grant you deliverance from all your enemies.
“‘“I’m also announcing to you that the Lord also will himself build a house[dx] for you. 11 It will come about that when your life[dy] is complete and you go to join your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring[dz] after you, who is related to one of[ea] your sons, and I will fortify his kingdom. 12 He will build a temple dedicated to me, and I will make his throne last forever. 13 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to me. I will never remove my gracious love from him as I did from the one who preceded you. 14 I will confirm him in my Temple and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will remain secure forever.”’”
15 Using precisely these words, Nathan communicated this complete oracle to David.
David’s Prayer(O)
16 Then King David went in, sat down in the presence of the Lord, and said:
“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my household,[eb] since you have brought me to this? 17 Furthermore, this is a small thing to you, God, and yet you have spoken concerning your servant’s household for a great while to come, and you have seen in me the fulfillment[ec] of man’s purpose, Lord God.
18 “What more can David say to you about how you are honoring your servant, and you surely know your servant. 19 Lord, for the sake of your servant, and consistent with your heart, you have done all of these great things and are now making these[ed] great things known.
20 “Lord, there is no one like you, and we have heard from no god other than you. 21 What other one nation on the earth is like your people Israel, God, which you have redeemed from slavery to become your own people, making a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You did awesome miraculous deeds, driving out nations that stood in their way. 22 You took[ee] your people Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.
23 “And now, Lord, let what you have spoken concerning your servant and his household be done forever—and let it be done just as you’ve promised. 24 May your name be made great and honored forever: The Lord of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, is God for Israel, and may the family of David your servant stand before you forever.
25 “Because of you, my God, I have been bold to pray to you, as you have told your servant that you will build him a dynasty. 26 And now, Lord, you are God, and you have promised all of these good things to your servant. 27 Furthermore, it has pleased you to bless the dynasty of your servant, so that it will continue in place forever in your presence, because when you, Lord, grant a blessing, it is an eternal blessing.”
David’s Military Victories(P)
18 After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, and then took possession of Gath and its towns from Philistine control. 2 He also conquered Moab, placing them in servitude and making them pay tribute.
3 David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, which is near Hamath,[ef] while he was going about establishing his hegemony[eg] as far as the Euphrates[eh] River. 4 David confiscated 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, and hamstrung all of the chariot horses except for a reserve force of 100 chariots. 5 When Arameans came from Damascus to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of them. 6 David later erected garrisons[ei] in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans were placed under servitude to David, to whom they paid tribute. 7 David also confiscated the gold shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s officials and took them to Jerusalem. 8 David also confiscated a vast quantity of bronze from Tibhath[ej] and Cun, cities under Hadadezer’s control. Later on, Solomon crafted the bronze sea, the pillars, and the bronze vessels for the Temple.[ek]
9 When King Tou of Hamath learned that David had conquered King Hadadezer of Zobah’s entire army, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to meet and congratulate him, because he had fought against and defeated Hadadezer. Since Hadadezer had often been to war against Tou, he sent all sorts of gold, silver, and bronze goods 11 to King David, which David[el] also dedicated to the Lord, along with silver and gold that he confiscated from all the surrounding[em] nations, including Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.
12 Zeruiah’s son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. 13 He erected garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subservient to David, while the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
David’s Reign(Q)
14 So David reigned over all of Israel, administering justice and equity to all of his people. 15 Zeruiah’s son Joab served in charge of the army, Ahilud’s son Jehoshaphat was his personal archivist,[en] 16 Ahitub’s son Zadok and Abiathar’s son Ahimelech were priests, Shavsha[eo] was his personal secretary,[ep] 17 Jehoiada’s son Benaiah supervised the special forces[eq] and mercenaries,[er] while David’s sons worked as chief officials in service to the king.[es]
Subjugation of Ammon and Aram(R)
19 Some time later, King Nahash of Ammon died and his son succeeded him, 2 so David told himself, “I will be loyal to Nahash’s son Hanun, since his father showed loyal, gracious love to me.” So David sent a delegation[et] to console him about his loss of his[eu] father.
But when David’s delegation arrived to visit[ev] Hanun in Ammonite territory to console him, 3 the Ammonite officials asked Hanun, “Do you think that because David has sent a delegation of consolers to you that he is honoring your father? His delegation has arrived to search, overthrow, and scout the land, hasn’t it?” 4 So Hanun arrested David’s delegation, shaved off their beards, cut off their clothes at the waist line, and sent them away in disgrace.[ew]
5 After they had departed, David was informed about the men, so he sent word[ex] to them, since they had been deeply humiliated. He told them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”
6 When the Ammonites realized that they had created quite a stink with David, Hanun and the Ammonites spent 1,000 silver talents[ey] to hire chariots and mercenaries from Mesopotamia, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah. 7 They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who arrived and encamped at Medeba. The Ammonites also were mustered and came out to battle from their home cities. 8 In response, David sent out Joab and his entire army of elite soldiers. 9 The Ammonites went out in battle formation in front of the entrance to the city while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open fields.
10 When Joab observed that the battle lines were set up to oppose him both in front and behind, he appointed some special forces from Israel and arrayed them to oppose the Arameans, 11 putting the rest of his forces under command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them to oppose the Ammonites. 12 He told Abishai,[ez] “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, then you are to help me. If the Ammonites prove too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be strong, be courageous on behalf of our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what he thinks is best.” 14 So Joab and the soldiers who were with him attacked the Arameans in battle formation, and the Arameans retreated in front of him. 15 When the Ammonites saw the Arameans retreating, they also retreated from Joab’s brother Abishai back to the city and Joab left for Jerusalem. 16 After the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for the Arameans who lived beyond the Euphrates River.[fa] Shophach[fb] was leading them as commander of Hadadezer’s army.
17 When David learned this, he mustered all of Israel, crossed the Jordan, approached the Arameans, and drew up his forces against them. After David had assembled in battle array against the Arameans, the Arameans[fc] attacked him. 18 The Arameans retreated from Israel, and David’s forces[fd] killed 7,000 Aramean charioteers, 40,000 soldiers, and Shophach, the commander of their army. 19 When Hadadezer’s officials saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sought terms of peace with David and became subservient to him. After this, the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.
The Capture of Rabbah(S)
20 Later the next spring, at the time that kings go out to fight, Joab led out the army, ravaged the territory of the Ammonites, and then went out and attacked Rabbah, while David remained behind in Jerusalem. Joab besieged Rabbah and conquered it. 2 David confiscated the crown of their king[fe] from his head, and found that its weight was a talent[ff] in gold. A precious stone had been set in it, and it was placed on David’s head. He also confiscated a great amount of war booty that had been plundered from the city, 3 brought back the people who had lived in it, and put them to conscripted labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to every Ammonite city, and then David and his entire army[fg] returned to Jerusalem.
Fighting Philistine Giants(T)
4 Afterwards, war broke out against the Philistines at Gezer, where Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim,[fh] defeating the Philistines. 5 There was also another battle against the Philistines, when Jair’s son Elhanan killed Lahmi the Gittite, Goliath’s brother, whose spear was as big as[fi] a weaver’s beam. 6 There was also a battle at Gath, where there was a very tall man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—for a total of 24 digits—who was a descendant of the Rephaim.[fj] 7 When he challenged Israel, Shimei’s son Jonathan, David’s nephew,[fk] killed him. 8 These descendants from the giants in Gath died at the hands of David and his servants.
David’s Unauthorized Census(U)
21 Then Satan attacked Israel by inciting David to enumerate a census of Israel. 2 David ordered Joab and the commanders of the army,[fl] “Go take a census of Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report so I can be aware of the total number.”
3 But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the population of his people a hundredfold! Your majesty,[fm] all of them are your majesty’s servants, aren’t they? So why should your majesty demand this? Why should he bring guilt to Israel?”
4 But the king’s order overruled Joab, so Joab left, traveled throughout all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem 5 to report the total population count to David. Throughout all of Israel there were 1,100,000 men trained for war.[fn] In Judah there were 470,000 men trained for war. 6 Levi and Benjamin were not included in the census, because what the king had commanded was unethical to Joab.
David Chooses His Punishment(V)
7 God considered this behavior[fo] to be evil, so he attacked Israel. 8 David responded to God, “I sinned greatly by behaving this way. But now I am asking you, please remove the guilt of your servant, since I have acted very foolishly.”
9 So the Lord responded through Gad, David’s seer. 10 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I’m holding three choices out for you: pick one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you.”’”[fp]
11 Gad went to David and told him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Make a choice for yourself: 12 Either three years of famine, or three months of reversals[fq] as you are swept away by your enemies while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or three days with the sword of the Lord, consisting of pestilence infecting the land, with the angel of the Lord wreaking destruction from border to border throughout all[fr] of Israel.’ Decide right now what I am to answer to the one who sent me.”
13 So David replied to Gad, “This is a very bad choice for me to make! Let me now please fall into the hand of the Lord, because his mercy is very great, but may I never fall into human hands!”
14 Then the Lord sent a pestilence to Israel, and 70,000 men died in Israel. 15 God also sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as he was about to do so, the Lord looked and withdrew[fs] the calamity by saying to the destroying angel, “Enough! Stop what you’re doing!”[ft]
So the angel of the Lord remained standing near the threshing floor that belonged to Ornan[fu] the Jebusite.[fv] 16 David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.
17 David told God, “Wasn’t I the one who ordered the census of the population? Wasn’t it I who sinned and acted wickedly? Now as for these sheep, what have they done? Lord God, please let your hand be against me and my ancestral household, but don’t let your people be ravaged by plague!”
David’s Altar(W)
18 The angel of the Lord told Gad to tell David that David was to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor that belonged to Ornan the Jebusite. 19 So David went up, obeying Gad’s directive that he had spoken in the name of the Lord. 20 Ornan turned around and saw the angel. While his four sons with him ran away to hide, Ornan continued to thresh wheat. 21 As David approached Ornan, Ornan looked around and observed David, left the threshing floor, and fell to the ground before David with his face on the ground.
22 David told Ornan, “Give me the threshing floor as a site to build an altar to the Lord on it. Give it to me at its full price, so the plague may be averted from the people.”
23 But Ornan replied to David, “Take it! Let your majesty the king do whatever seems like a good idea to him. Look here! I’m giving the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing machinery for the wood, and the wheat for a grain offering. I’m giving all of it.”
24 But King David told Ornan, “No. I will buy them for the full price[fw] because I will not offer to the Lord what is yours or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
25 So David paid Ornan 600 shekels weight worth in gold for the site, 26 built an altar to the Lord there, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called out to the Lord, and he answered him from heaven with fire on the altar of burnt offerings. 27 After this, the Lord spoke to the angel, who then sheathed his sword.
28 From that time on, after David had observed that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he made his sacrifices there. 29 Meanwhile, the tent of the Lord that Moses had crafted in the desert, along with the altar of burnt offerings, were being stored at the high place in Gibeon at that time, 30 but David was not going before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword carried by the angel of the Lord. 22 1 David said, “This is where the Lord God’s Temple will be, along with the altar of burnt offerings for Israel.”
David’s Plan to Build the Temple
2 David subsequently issued orders to conscript the resident aliens who lived in the land of Israel and appointed stonecutters to prepare stones for building a temple for God. 3 David also provisioned abundant supplies of iron for nails to build the doors for gates and to build clamps. Furthermore, he provided so much bronze it wasn’t inventoried, 4 as well as an innumerable amount of cedar logs, since the Sidonians and Tyrians brought vast amounts of cedar to David.
5 David thought, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced. The temple that will be built for the Lord is to be magnificent, well known, and internationally honored, so I will complete preparations for it.” So before his death, David finished providing a great quantity of materials for it.
David Commissions Solomon to Build the Temple
6 Later, David called for his son Solomon and directed him to build a temple to the Lord God of Israel. 7 David addressed Solomon: “I have attempted to build a temple to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But this message from the Lord came to me, telling me
‘You have shed a lot of blood and fought great battles. You won’t be building a house for my name, since you have shed so much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 But look! A son born to you will live comfortably,[fx] because I will give him rest from all his enemies that surround him on every side, since his name will be “Solomon”—I will give peace and quiet for Israel during his lifetime. 10 He will build a temple to my name. He will be a son to me, I myself will be a father to him, and I will secure his royal throne in Israel forever.’
11 So now, my son, may the Lord be with you, so that you are successful in constructing the Temple of the Lord your God, just as he has spoken about you.
12 “Only may the Lord give you discretion and understanding as he places you in charge over Israel, so you can keep the Law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will be successful, if you keep on observing the statutes and ordinances that the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, be courageous, and never give in to fear or dismay. 14 At great effort I have provided for the Temple of the Lord 100,000 gold talents,[fy] 1,000,000 silver talents,[fz] as well as bronze and iron beyond calculation, since there is so much of it. I’ve also provided timber and stone, but you’ll need to obtain more. 15 You already have plenty of workers, including stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and an innumerable group of artisans who are skilled at working in 16 gold, silver, bronze, and iron. So begin the work, and may the Lord be with you.”
17 David also issued these orders to all of the leaders of Israel to assist his son Solomon: 18 “Isn’t the Lord your God with you? Hasn’t he surrounded you with comfort? He has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my control, and the land lies subdued both in the Lord’s presence and before his people. 19 So set your minds and hearts to seek the Lord your God, to get up, and to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be stored in a temple built for the name of the Lord.”
The Levitical Divisions
23 After David had reached old age, and had completed his reign,[ga] he set his son Solomon as king over Israel. 2 David then gathered together all of the leaders of Israel, including the priests and descendants of Levi. 3 descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000. 4 “24,000 of these,” David said, “are to be set in charge of the work of the Temple of the Lord, with 6,000 serving as officers and judges, 5 with 4,000 gatekeepers, and with 4,000 offering praises to the Lord with the musical instruments that I have had crafted.”
6 David divided them into divisions based on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Levi’s sons.
An Abbreviated Genealogy of Levi’s Sons
7 The descendants of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei. 8 The three descendants of Ladan included[gb] Jehiel (their chief), Zetham, and Joel. 9 The three descendants of Shimei included Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. These were the heads of families of Ladan.
10 The descendants of Shimei included Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were sons of Shimei. 11 Jahath served as chief and Zizah was second in rank, but since Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, they were enrolled as a single family unit.
12 The four descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 13 The descendants of Amram included Aaron and Moses. Aaron had been set apart to consecrate the most holy things, with the intent that he and his sons should present offerings in the Lord’s presence forever, ministering to him and pronouncing blessings in his name forever.
14 Meanwhile, as for Moses the man of God, his sons were considered among the tribe of Levi. 15 The descendants of Moses included Gershom and Eliezer. 16 The descendants of Gershom included Shebuel as their chief.
17 The descendants of Eliezer included Rehabiah as their chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many descendants.
18 The descendants of Izhar included Shelomith their chief.
19 The descendants of Hebron included Jeriah their chief, Amariah their second in rank, Jahaziel their third, and Jekameam their fourth.
20 The descendants of Uzziel included Micah their chief and Isshiah their second in rank.
21 The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The descendants of Mahli included Eleazar and Kish, 22 but Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters. Their relatives (the descendants of Kish) married them. 23 The three descendants of Mushi included Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth.
24 These were the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral households, with family heads documented according to the names of persons 20 years and older who were appointed to perform work in service to the Temple of the Lord.
25 For David had said “The Lord God of Israel has granted rest to his people, and he has taken Israel as his eternal residence. 26 Therefore[gc] the descendants of Levi are no longer to carry the Tent or its service implements.”[gd] 27 Since, according to David’s final instructions, the list above[ge] contains the total number of descendants of Levi from the age of 20 years and upward, 28 David issued these orders:[gf]
“Instead, they are to assist by lending a hand to the descendants of Aaron regarding service to the Temple of the Lord relating to the courts, the chambers, purification of everything pertaining to holiness, and to anything else pertaining to service on behalf of the Temple of God, 29 including assisting with the rows of showbread, selecting flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened bread, baked offerings, and oil-based offerings, no matter what the quantity or sizes. 30 They are to take their stand morning by morning, thanking and praising the Lord right through until the evening, 31 whenever burnt offerings are presented to the Lord, whether on Sabbaths, New Moons, or scheduled festivals, regularly in the Lord’s presence in accordance with the number required to conduct their service. 32 By doing this, they will fulfill their obligation as trustees over the Tent of Assembly and the Sanctuary, attending to the needs of[gg] their relatives, who are descendants of Aaron, in keeping with their service on behalf of the Temple of the Lord.”
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