^8:1Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, ^8:2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. ^8:3Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, ^8:4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, ^8:5Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. ^8:6These are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, who were carried captive to Manahath: ^8:7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them captive; and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud. ^8:8Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives. ^8:9By Hodesh his wife, he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, ^8:10Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households. ^8:11By Hushim, he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal. ^8:12The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns; ^8:13and Beriah, and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath; ^8:14and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, ^8:15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, ^8:16Michael, Ishpah, Joha, the sons of Beriah, ^8:17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, ^8:18Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, the sons of Elpaal, ^8:19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, ^8:20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, ^8:21Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath, the sons of Shimei, ^8:22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, ^8:23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, ^8:24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, ^8:25Iphdeiah, Penuel, the sons of Shashak, ^8:26Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, ^8:27Jaareshiah, Elijah, Zichri, and the sons of Jeroham. ^8:28These were heads of fathers’ households throughout their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem. ^8:29The father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon, ^8:30with his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, ^8:31Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. ^8:32Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their brothers in Jerusalem, near their brothers. ^8:33Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ^8:34The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal. Merib Baal became the father of Micah. ^8:35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. ^8:36Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza. ^8:37Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son. ^8:38Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. ^8:39The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. ^8:40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.

^9:1So all Israel were listed by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience. ^9:2Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants. ^9:3In Jerusalem lived of the children of Judah, of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: ^9:4Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Perez the son of Judah. ^9:5Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. ^9:6Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel and their brothers, six hundred ninety. ^9:7Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, ^9:8and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; ^9:9and their brothers, according to their generations, nine hundred fifty-six. All these men were heads of fathers’ households by their fathers’ houses. ^9:10Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, ^9:11and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; ^9:12and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; ^9:13and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; very able men for the work of the service of God’s house. ^9:14Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; ^9:15and Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph, ^9:16and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. ^9:17The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brothers (Shallum was the chief), ^9:18who previously served in the king’s gate eastward. They were the gatekeepers for the camp of the children of Levi. ^9:19Shallum 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 Yahweh’s camp, keepers of the entry. ^9:20Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Yahweh was with him. ^9:21Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the door of the Tent of Meeting. ^9:22All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers in the thresholds were two hundred twelve. These were listed by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer ordained in their office of trust. ^9:23So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of Yahweh’s house, even the house of the tent, by wards. ^9:24On the four sides were the gatekeepers, toward the east, west, north, and south. ^9:25Their brothers, in their villages, were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them: ^9:26for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the rooms and over the treasuries in God’s house. ^9:27They stayed around God’s house, because that duty was on them; and to their duty was its opening morning by morning. ^9:28Certain of them were in charge of the vessels of service; for these were brought in by count, and these were taken out by count. ^9:29Some of them also were appointed over the furniture, and over all the vessels of the sanctuary, over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices. ^9:30Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices. ^9:31Mattithiah, 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. ^9:32Some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the show bread, to prepare it every Sabbath. ^9:33These 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. ^9:34These were heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, throughout their generations, chief men. These lived at Jerusalem. ^9:35Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon with ^9:36his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, ^9:37Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. ^9:38Mikloth became the father of Shimeam. They also lived with their brothers in Jerusalem, near their brothers. ^9:39Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ^9:40The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal. Merib Baal became the father of Micah. ^9:41The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. ^9:42Ahaz became the father of Jarah. Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza. ^9:43Moza became the father of Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son. ^9:44Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

^10:1Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa. ^10:2The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. ^10:3The battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers. ^10:4Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it. ^10:5When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died. ^10:6So Saul died with his three sons; and all his house died together. ^10:7When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. ^10:8On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. ^10:9They stripped him, and took his head and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols, and to the people. ^10:10They put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon. ^10:11When all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, ^10:12all 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. ^10:13So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of Yahweh’s word, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire, ^10:14and didn’t inquire of Yahweh. Therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

^11:1Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. ^11:2In 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.’” ^11:3So 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 Yahweh’s word by Samuel. ^11:4David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. ^11:5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city. ^11:6David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. ^11:7David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city. ^11:8He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. ^11:9David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him. ^11:10Now 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 Yahweh’s word concerning Israel. ^11:11This 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. ^11:12After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. ^11:13He 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. ^11:14They stood in the middle of the plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory. ^11:15Three 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. ^11:16David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem at that time. ^11:17David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” ^11:18The 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; but David would not drink any of it, but poured it out to Yahweh, ^11:19and said, “My God forbid 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. ^11:20Abishai, 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. ^11:21Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain; however he wasn’t included in the three. ^11:22Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. ^11:23He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. ^11:24Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men. ^11:25Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three; and David set him over his guard. ^11:26The mighty men of the armies also include Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, ^11:27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, ^11:28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, ^11:29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, ^11:30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, ^11:31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, ^11:32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, ^11:33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, ^11:34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, ^11:35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, ^11:36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, ^11:37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, ^11:38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, ^11:39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, ^11:40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, ^11:41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, ^11:42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, ^11:43Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, ^11:44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, ^11:45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, ^11:46Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, ^11:47Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

^12:1Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he was a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish. They were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. ^12:2They 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 relatives of the tribe of Benjamin. ^12:3The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; ^12:4Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty and a leader of the thirty; Jeremiah; Jahaziel; Johanan; Jozabad the Gederathite; ^12:5Eluzai; Jerimoth; Bealiah; Shemariah; Shephatiah the Haruphite; ^12:6Elkanah, Isshiah Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites; ^12:7and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. ^12:8Some Gadites joined David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains: ^12:9Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, ^12:10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ^12:11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, ^12:12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, ^12:13Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai the eleventh. ^12:14These 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. ^12:15These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all who lived in the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west. ^12:16Some of the children of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. ^12:17David went out to meet them, and answered them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with 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 see this and rebuke it.” ^12:18Then 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. ^12:19Some of Manasseh also joined 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 desert to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.” ^12:20As he went to Ziklag, some from Manasseh joined him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. ^12:21They helped David against the band of rovers; for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army. ^12:22For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like God’s army. ^12:23These 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 Yahweh’s word. ^12:24The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, armed for war. ^12:25Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand one hundred. ^12:26Of the children of Levi four thousand six hundred. ^12:27Jehoiada was the leader of the household of Aaron; and with him were three thousand seven hundred, ^12:28and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. ^12:29Of the children of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, three thousand: for until then, the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to Saul’s house. ^12:30Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses. ^12:31Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king. ^12:32Of 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 at their command. ^12:33Of 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, and who could command and were not of double heart. ^12:34Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand. ^12:35Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred. ^12:36Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand. ^12:37On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all kinds of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand. ^12:38All these were men of war, who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. ^12:39They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them. ^12:40Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.

^13:1David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader. ^13:2David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send word 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. ^13:3Also, let us again bring the ark of our God back to us; for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.” ^13:4All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. ^13:5So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring God’s ark from Kiriath Jearim. ^13:6David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God Yahweh’s ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name. ^13:7They carried God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. ^13:8David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets. ^13:9When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. ^13:10Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God. ^13:11David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. ^13:12David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?” ^13:13So David didn’t move the ark with him into David’s city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. ^13:14God’s ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom’s house and all that he had.

^14:1Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. ^14:2David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake. ^14:3David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters. ^14:4These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ^14:5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ^14:6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ^14:7Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. ^14:8When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went out against them. ^14:9Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. ^14:10David 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.” ^14:11So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like waters breaking out. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. ^14:12They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire. ^14:13The Philistines made a another raid in the valley. ^14:14David 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. ^14:15When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” ^14:16David did as God commanded him; and they attacked the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. ^14:17The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.

^15:1David made himself houses in David’s city; and he prepared a place for God’s ark, and pitched a tent for it. ^15:2Then David said, “No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry God’s ark, and to minister to him forever.” ^15:3David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up Yahweh’s ark to its place, which he had prepared for it. ^15:4David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: ^15:5of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty; ^15:6of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty; ^15:7of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred thirty; ^15:8of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred; ^15:9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty; ^15:10of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred twelve. ^15:11David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, ^15:12and 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 the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, up to the place that I have prepared for it. ^15:13For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.” ^15:14So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel. ^15:15The children of the Levites bore God’s ark on their shoulders with its poles, as Moses commanded according to Yahweh’s word. ^15:16David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with joy. ^15:17So 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; ^15:18and with them their brothers of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. ^15:19So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of brass to sound aloud; ^15:20and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth; ^15:21and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead. ^15:22Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the singing. He taught the singers, because he was skillful. ^15:23Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. ^15:24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before God’s ark; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. ^15:25So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy. ^15:26When God helped the Levites who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. ^15:27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him. ^15:28Thus all Israel brought the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps. ^15:29As the ark of Yahweh’s covenant came to David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

^16:1They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. ^16:2When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in Yahweh’s name. ^16:3He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. ^16:4He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel: ^16:5Asaph 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; ^16:6with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God. ^16:7Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. ^16:8Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples. ^16:9Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works. ^16:10Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. ^16:11Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. ^16:12Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, ^16:13you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. ^16:14He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth. ^16:15Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, ^16:16the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac. ^16:17He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, ^16:18saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,” ^16:19when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it. ^16:20They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. ^16:21He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, ^16:22“Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!” ^16:23Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day. ^16:24Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples. ^16:25For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. ^16:26For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens. ^16:27Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place. ^16:28Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! ^16:29Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Yahweh in holy array. ^16:30Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved. ^16:31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns!” ^16:32Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is in it! ^16:33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. ^16:34Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. ^16:35Say, “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.” ^16:36Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised Yahweh. ^16:37So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required; ^16:38and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers; ^16:39and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before Yahweh’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon, ^16:40to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in Yahweh’s law, which he commanded to Israel; ^16:41and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever; ^16:42and 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. ^16:43All the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

^17:1When David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of Yahweh’s covenant is in a tent.” ^17:2Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you.” ^17:3That same night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ^17:4“Go and tell David my servant, ‘Yahweh says, “You shall not build me a house to dwell in; ^17:5for 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. ^17:6In 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?’”’ ^17:7“Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘Yahweh of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel. ^17:8I 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. ^17:9I 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. The children of wickedness will not waste them any more, as at the first, ^17:10and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. ^17:11It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. ^17:12He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. ^17:13I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; ^17:14but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.”’” ^17:15According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. ^17:16Then 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 this far? ^17:17This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. ^17:18What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. ^17:19Yahweh, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, to make known all these great things. ^17:20Yahweh, there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. ^17:21What one 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 redeem out of Egypt? ^17:22For you made your people Israel your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. ^17:23Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. ^17:24Let 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.’ ^17:25For 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. ^17:26Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. ^17:27Now 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.”

^18:1After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. ^18:2He defeated Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. ^18:3David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. ^18:4David 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. ^18:5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty-two thousand men of the Syrians. ^18:6Then 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. ^18:7David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. ^18:8From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, the pillars, and the vessels of brass. ^18:9When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, ^18:10he 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. ^18:11King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, from Moab, from the children of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. ^18:12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ^18:13He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. ^18:14David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness for all his people. ^18:15Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; ^18:16Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; Shavsha was scribe; ^18:17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief officials serving the king.

^19:1After this, Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. ^19:2David 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. ^19:3But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David honors 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?” ^19:4So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle at their buttocks, and sent them away. ^19:5Then some people went and told David how the men were treated. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.” ^19:6When 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 chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, out of Aram-maacah, and out of Zobah. ^19:7So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people, who came and encamped near Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. ^19:8When David heard of it, he sent Joab with all the army of the mighty men. ^19:9The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. ^19:10Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose some of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. ^19:11The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. ^19:12He 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. ^19:13Be 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.” ^19:14So Joab and the people who were with him came near to the front of the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. ^19:15When 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. ^19:16When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and called out the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer leading them. ^19:17David was told that; so he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, came to 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. ^19:18The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army. ^19:19When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him. The Syrians would not help the children of Ammon any more.

^20:1At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out 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. ^20:2David 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. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city. ^20:3He brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. ^20:4After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. ^20:5Again there was 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. ^20:6There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. ^20:7When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him. ^20:8These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

^21:1Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel. ^21:2David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know how many there are.” ^21:3Joab 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 to Israel?” ^21:4Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, then came to Jerusalem. ^21:5Joab gave up the sum of the census of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. ^21:6But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. ^21:7God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. ^21:8David 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.” ^21:9Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, ^21:10“Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.”’” ^21:11So Gad came to David, and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Take your choice: ^21:12either 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 the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and Yahweh’s angel destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.’” ^21:13David said to Gad, “I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into Yahweh’s hand; for his mercies are very great. Don’t let me fall into man’s hand.” ^21:14So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. ^21:15God 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 withdraw your hand.” Yahweh’s angel was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ^21:16David lifted up his eyes, and saw Yahweh’s angel standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. ^21:17David said to God, “Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be counted? 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.” ^21:18Then Yahweh’s angel commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up and raise an altar to Yahweh on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ^21:19David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in Yahweh’s name. ^21:20Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. ^21:21As 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. ^21:22Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to Yahweh on it. You shall sell it to me for the full price, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.” ^21:23Ornan 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.” ^21:24King 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 that costs me nothing.” ^21:25So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. ^21:26David 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. ^21:27Then Yahweh commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. ^21:28At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. ^21:29For Yahweh’s tabernacle, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. ^21:30But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of Yahweh’s angel.

^22:1Then David said, “This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” ^22:2David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build God’s house. ^22:3David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; ^22:4and cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David. ^22:5David 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 countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death. ^22:6Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. ^22:7David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. ^22:8But Yahweh’s word 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. ^22:9Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. ^22:10He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.’ ^22:11Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you. ^22:12May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. ^22:13Then 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, and don’t be dismayed. ^22:14Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house 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. ^22:15There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work; ^22:16of the gold, the silver, the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you.” ^22:17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, ^22:18“Isn’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. ^22:19Now set your heart and your soul to follow Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of Yahweh’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for Yahweh’s name.”

^23:1Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. ^23:2He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. ^23:3The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. ^23:4David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of Yahweh’s house, six thousand were officers and judges, ^23:5four thousand were doorkeepers, and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made for giving praise.” ^23:6David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. ^23:7Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. ^23:8The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, Zetham, and Joel, three. ^23:9The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. ^23:10The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. ^23:11Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah didn’t have many sons; therefore they became a fathers’ house in one reckoning. ^23:12The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. ^23:13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, 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. ^23:14But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. ^23:15The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. ^23:16The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. ^23:17The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. ^23:18The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. ^23:19The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. ^23:20The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second. ^23:21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. ^23:22Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives. ^23:23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three. ^23:24These 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 Yahweh’s house, from twenty years old and upward. ^23:25For David said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. ^23:26Also the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service.” ^23:27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were counted, from twenty years old and upward. ^23:28For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of Yahweh’s house, 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; ^23:29for the show bread 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 measurements of quantity and size; ^23:30and to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening; ^23:31and 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; ^23:32and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of Yahweh’s house.

^24:1These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ^24:2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office. ^24:3David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. ^24:4There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and 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. ^24:5Thus 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. ^24:6Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. ^24:7Now the first lot came out to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, ^24:8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, ^24:9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, ^24:10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, ^24:11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, ^24:12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, ^24:13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, ^24:14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, ^24:15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, ^24:16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, ^24:17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, ^24:18the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. ^24:19This was their ordering in their service, to come into Yahweh’s house according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him. ^24:20Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. ^24:21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. ^24:22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. ^24:23The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. ^24:24The sons of Uzziel: Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. ^24:25The brother of Micah: Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. ^24:26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno. ^24:27The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. ^24:28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. ^24:29Of Kish, the son of Kish: Jerahmeel. ^24:30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. ^24:31These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, 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.

^25:1Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. The number of those who did the work according to their service was: ^25:2of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. The sons of Asaph were under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied at the order of the king. ^25:3Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh with the harp. ^25:4Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. ^25:5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. ^25:6All these were under the hands of their father for song in Yahweh’s house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of God’s house; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. ^25:7The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight. ^25:8They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student. ^25:9Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, he and his brothers and sons were twelve; ^25:10the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:11the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:12the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:13the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:14the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:15the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:16the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:17the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:18the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:19the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:20for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:21for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:22for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:23for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:24for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:25for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:26for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:27for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:28for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:29for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:30for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:31for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

^26:1For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. ^26:2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, ^26:3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. ^26:4Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, ^26:5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. ^26:6Sons were also born to Shemaiah his son, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor. ^26:7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah. ^26:8All 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. ^26:9Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. ^26:10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), ^26:11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen. ^26:12Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in Yahweh’s house. ^26:13They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate. ^26:14The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. ^26:15To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse. ^26:16To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watchman opposite watchman. ^26:17Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. ^26:18For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. ^26:19These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari. ^26:20Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house and over the treasures of the dedicated things. ^26:21The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. ^26:22The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of Yahweh’s house. ^26:23Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: ^26:24and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures. ^26:25His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. ^26:26This 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. ^26:27They dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair Yahweh’s house. ^26:28All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and 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. ^26:29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. ^26:30Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, 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. ^26:31Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers’ households. They were sought for in the fortieth year of the reign of David, and mighty men of valor were found among them at Jazer of Gilead. ^26:32His brothers, men of valor, 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.

^27:1Now 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. ^27:2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:3He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. ^27:4Over 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. ^27:5The 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. ^27:6This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his division was Ammizabad his son. ^27:7The 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. ^27:8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were Twenty-four thousand. ^27:14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; ^27:17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok; ^27:18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; ^27:19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; ^27:20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; ^27:21of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; ^27:22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. ^27:23But 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. ^27:24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of king David. ^27:25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; ^27:26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; ^27:27and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite; ^27:28and 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; ^27:29and 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; ^27:30and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. ^27:31All these were the rulers of the property which was king David’s. ^27:32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. ^27:33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. ^27:34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.