1 Chronicles: Israel's official family record

1 Chronicles is the verification of the official family records of Israel (chapter 1-9) and the story of David’s rule as King. This Book shows us the importance of passing on a spiritual heritage and teaches us that genuine worship should be the center of individual and national life. It also tells the same story as the book of 2 Samuel, although it focuses more on the spiritual themes of the times than on the historical events. The 2 books of Chronicles were originally 1 book.

1 CHRONICLES 1: From Adam to Noah’s Sons: (1) The descendants of Adam were Seth, Enosh, (2) Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, (3) Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, (4) and Noah. The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (5) The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. (6) The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. (7) The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.(8) The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. (9) The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. (10) Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth. (11) Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, (12) Pathrusites, Casluhites, and the Caphtorites, from whom the Philistines came. (13) Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Hittites, (14) Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, (15) Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, (16) Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. (17) The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. (18) Arphaxad was the father of Shelah. Shelah was the father of Eber. (19) Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother’s name was Joktan. (20) Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, (21) Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, (22) Obal, Abimael, Sheba, (23) Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan.(24) So this is the family line descended from Shem: Arphaxad, Shelah, (25) Eber, Peleg, Reu, (26) Serug, Nahor, Terah, (27) and Abram, later known as Abraham. (28) The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. (29) These are their genealogical records: The sons of Ishmael were Nebaioth (the oldest), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, (30) Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, (31) Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael. (32) The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. (33) The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Abraham through his concubine Keturah. (34) Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel. (35) The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. (36) The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and Amalek, who was born to Timna. (37) The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. (38) The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. (39) The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan’s sister was named Timna. (40) The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. (41) The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. (42) The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran. (43) These are the kings who ruled in Edom before there were kings in Israel: Bela son of Beor, who ruled from his city of Dinhabah. (44) When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became king. (45) When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king. (46) When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king and ruled from the city of Avith. He was the one who destroyed the Midianite army in the land of Moab. (47) When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king. (48) When Samlah died, Shaul from the city of Rehoboth on the river became king. (49) When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Acbor became king. (50) When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king and ruled from the city of Pau. His wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab. (51) Then Hadad died. The clan leaders of Edom were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, (52) Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, (53) Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, (54) Magdiel, and Iram. These were the clan leaders of Edom.

1 CHRONICLES 2: Descendants of Israel: (1) The sons of Israel were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, (2) Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. (3) Judah had three sons from Bathshua, a Canaanite woman. Their names were Er, Onan, and Shelah. But the LORD saw that the oldest son, Er, was a wicked man, so he killed him. (4) Later Judah had twin sons from Tamar, his widowed daughter-in-law. Their names were Perez and Zerah. So Judah had five sons in all. (5) The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. (6) The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda—five in all. (7) The son of Carmi (a descendant of Zimri) was Achan, who brought disaster on Israel by taking plunder that had been set apart for the LORD. (8) The son of Ethan was Azariah. (9) The sons of Hezron were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb. (10) Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of Judah. (11) Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz. (12) Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. (13) Jesse’s first son was Eliab, his second was Abinadab, his third was Shimea, (14) his fourth was Nethanel, his fifth was Raddai, (15) his sixth was Ozem, and his seventh was David. (16) Their sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. (17) Abigail married a man named Jether, an Ishmaelite, and they had a son named Amasa. (18) Hezron’s son Caleb had sons from his wife Azubah and from Jerioth. Her sons were named Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. (19) After Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrathah, and they had a son named Hur. (20) Hur was the father of Uri. Uri was the father of Bezalel. (21) When Hezron was sixty years old, he married Gilead’s sister, the daughter of Makir. They had a son named Segub. (22) Segub was the father of Jair, who ruled twenty-three towns in the land of Gilead. (23) (But Geshur and Aram captured the Towns of Jair and also took Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages.) All these were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead. (24) Soon after Hezron died in the town of Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah gave birth to a son named Ashhur (the father of Tekoa). (25) The sons of Jerahmeel, the oldest son of Hezron, were Ram (the firstborn), Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. (26) Jerahmeel had a second wife named Atarah. She was the mother of Onam. (27) The sons of Ram, the oldest son of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. (28) The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur. (29) The sons of Abishur and his wife Abihail were Ahban and Molid. (30) The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children, (31) but Appaim had a son named Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan. Sheshan had a descendant named Ahlai. (32) The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children, (33) but Jonathan had two sons named Peleth and Zaza. These were all descendants of Jerahmeel. (34) Sheshan had no sons, though he did have daughters. He also had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. (35) Sheshan gave one of his daughters to be the wife of Jarha, and they had a son named Attai. (36) Attai was the father of Nathan. Nathan was the father of Zabad. (37) Zabad was the father of Ephlal. Ephlal was the father of Obed. (38) Obed was the father of Jehu. Jehu was the father of Azariah. (39) Azariah was the father of Helez. Helez was the father of Eleasah. (40) Eleasah was the father of Sismai. Sismai was the father of Shallum. (41) Shallum was the father of Jekamiah. Jekamiah was the father of Elishama. (42) The descendants of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, included Mesha (the firstborn), who became the father of Ziph. Caleb’s descendants also included the sons of Mareshah, the father of Hebron. (43) The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. (44) Shema was the father of Raham. Raham was the father of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai. (45) The son of Shammai was Maon. Maon was the father of Beth-zur. (46) Caleb’s concubine Ephah gave birth to Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez. (47) The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. (48) Another of Caleb’s concubines, Maacah, gave birth to Sheber and Tirhanah. (49) She also gave birth to Shaaph (the father of Madmannah) and Sheva (the father of Macbenah and Gibea). Caleb also had a daughter named Acsah. (50) These were all descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur, the oldest son of Caleb’s wife Ephrathah, were Shobal (the founder of Kiriath-jearim), (51) Salma (the founder of Bethlehem), and Hareph (the founder of Beth-gader). (52) The descendants of Shobal (the founder of Kiriath-jearim) were Haroeh, half the Manahathites, (53) and the families of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites, from whom came the people of Zorah and Eshtaol. (54) The descendants of Salma were the people of Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, the other half of the Manahathites, the Zorites, (55) and the families of scribes living at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. All these were Kenites who descended from Hammath, the father of the family of Recab.

1 CHRONICLES 3: Descendants of David: (1) These are the sons of David who were born in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel. (2) The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. (3) The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife. (4) These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years. Then David reigned another thirty-three years in Jerusalem. (5) The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel. (6) David also had nine other sons: Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, (7) Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, (8) Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. (9) These were the sons of David, not including his sons born to his concubines. Their sister was named Tamar. (10) The descendants of Solomon were Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, (11) Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, (12) Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, (13) Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, (14) Amon, and Josiah. (15) The sons of Josiah were Johanan (the oldest), Jehoiakim (the second), Zedekiah (the third), and Jehoahaz (the fourth). (16) The successors of Jehoiakim were his son Jehoiachin and his brother Zedekiah. (17) The sons of Jehoiachin, who was taken prisoner by the Babylonians, were Shealtiel, (18) Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. (19) The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam and Hananiah. (Their sister was Shelomith.) (20) His five other sons were Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed. (21) The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. Jeshaiah’s son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah’s son was Arnan. Arnan’s son was Obadiah. Obadiah’s son was Shecaniah. (22) The descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah and his sons, Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neari-ah, and Shaphat—six in all. (23) The sons of Neari-ah were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam—three in all. (24) The sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven in all.

1 CHRONICLES 4: Other Descendants of Judah: (1) The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. (2) Shobal’s son Reaiah was the father of Jahath. Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. (3) The descendants of Etam were Jezreel, Ishma, Idbash, their sister Hazzelelponi, (4) Penuel (the father of Gedor), and Ezer (the father of Hushah). These were the descendants of Hur (the firstborn of Ephrathah), the ancestor of Bethlehem. (5) Ashhur (the father of Tekoa) had two wives, named Helah and Naarah. (6) Naarah gave birth to Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. (7) Helah gave birth to Zereth, Izhar, Ethnan, (8) and Koz, who became the ancestor of Anub, Zobebah, and all the families of Aharhel son of Harum. (9) There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. (10) He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. (11) Kelub (the brother of Shuhah) was the father of Mehir. Mehir was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah. Tehinnah was the father of Ir-nahash. These were the descendants of Recah. (13) The sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel’s sons were Hathath and Meonothai. (14) Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the founder of the Valley of Craftsmen, so called because they were craftsmen. (15) The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah was Kenaz. (16) The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. (17) The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives became the mother of Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah (the father of Eshtemoa). (18) He married a woman from Judah, who became the mother of Jered (the father of Gedor), Heber (the father of Soco), and Jekuthiel (the father of Zanoah). Mered also married Bithia, a daughter of Pharaoh, and she bore him children. (19) Hodiah’s wife was the sister of Naham. One of her sons was the father of Keilah the Garmite, and another was the father of Eshtemoa the Maacathite. (20) The sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. The descendants of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-zoheth. (21) Shelah was one of Judah’s sons. The descendants of Shelah were Er (the father of Lecah); Laadah (the father of Mareshah); the families of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; (22) Jokim; the men of Cozeba; and Joash and Saraph, who ruled over Moab and Jashubi-lehem. These names all come from ancient records. (23) They were the pottery makers who lived in Netaim and Gederah. They lived there and worked for the king. (24) The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zohar, and Shaul. (25) The descendants of Shaul were Shallum, Mibsam, and Mishma. (26) The descendants of Mishma were Hammuel, Zaccur, and Shimei. (27) Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but none of his brothers had large families. So Simeon’s tribe never grew as large as the tribe of Judah. (28) They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, (29) Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, (30) Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, (31) Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These towns were under their control until the time of King David. (32) Their descendants also lived in Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Token, and Ashan—five towns (33) and their surrounding villages as far away as Baalath. This was their territory, and these names are listed in their genealogical records. (34) Other descendants of Simeon included Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, (35) Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel, (36) Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, (37) and Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah. (38) These were the names of some of the leaders of Simeon’s wealthy clans. Their families grew, (39) and they traveled to the region of Gerar, in the east part of the valley, seeking pastureland for their flocks. (40) They found lush pastures there, and the land was quiet and peaceful. Some of Ham’s descendants had been living in that region. (41) But during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, these leaders of Simeon invaded the region and completely destroyed the homes of the descendants of Ham and of the Meunites. No trace of them remains today. They killed everyone who lived there and took the land for themselves, because they wanted its good pastureland for their flocks. (42) Five hundred of these invaders from the tribe of Simeon went to Mount Seir, led by Pelatiah, Neari-ah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel—all sons of Ishi. (43) They destroyed the few Amalekites who had survived, and they have lived there ever since.

1 CHRONICLES 5: Descendants of Reuben: (1) The oldest son of Israel was Reuben. But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. (2) The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph. (3) The sons of Reuben, the oldest son of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.(4) The descendants of Joel were Shemaiah, Gog, Shimei, (5) Micah, Reaiah, Baal, (6) and Beerah. Beerah was the leader of the Reubenites when they were taken into captivity by King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria. (7) Beerah’s relatives are listed in their genealogical records by their clans: Jeiel (the leader), Zechariah, (8) and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. The Reubenites lived in the area that stretches from Aroer to Nebo and Baal-meon. (9) And since they had so many livestock in the land of Gilead, they spread east toward the edge of the desert that stretches to the Euphrates River. (10) During the reign of Saul, the Reubenites defeated the Hagrites in battle. Then they moved into the Hagrite settlements all along the eastern edge of Gilead. (11) Next to the Reubenites, the descendants of Gad lived in the land of Bashan as far east as Salecah. (12) Joel was the leader in the land of Bashan, and Shapham was second-in-command, followed by Janai and Shaphat. (13) Their relatives, the leaders of seven other clans, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber. (14) These were all descendants of Abihail son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz. (15) Ahi son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was the leader of their clans. (16) The Gadites lived in the land of Gilead, in Bashan and its villages, and throughout all the pasturelands of Sharon. (17) All of these were listed in the genealogical records during the days of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel. (18) There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows. (19) They waged war against the Hagrites, the Jeturites, the Naphishites, and the Nodabites. (20) They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated. 21 The plunder taken from the Hagrites included 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep and goats, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 captives. (22) Many of the Hagrites were killed in the battle because God was fighting against them. The people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh lived in their land until they were taken into exile. (23) The half-tribe of Manasseh was very large and spread through the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. (24) These were the leaders of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. These men had a great reputation as mighty warriors and leaders of their clans. (25) But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed. (26) So the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day.

1 CHRONICLES 6: The Priestly Line: (1) The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (2) The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (3) The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (4) Eleazar was the father of Phinehas. Phinehas was the father of Abishua. (5) Abishua was the father of Bukki. Bukki was the father of Uzzi. (6) Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth. (7) Meraioth was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub. (8) Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz. (9) Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah. Azariah was the father of Johanan. (10) Johanan was the father of Azariah, the high priest at the Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. (11) Azariah was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub. (12) Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Shallum. (13) Shallum was the father of Hilkiah. Hilkiah was the father of Azariah. (14) Azariah was the father of Seraiah. Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak, (15) who went into exile when the LORD sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar. (16) The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (17) The descendants of Gershon included Libni and Shimei. (18) The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (19) The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The following were the Levite clans, listed according to their ancestral descent: (20) The descendants of Gershon included Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, (21) Joah, Iddo, Zerah, and Jeatherai. (22) The descendants of Kohath included Amminadab, Korah, Assir, (23) Elkanah, Abiasaph, Assir, (24) Tahath, Uriel, Uzziah, and Shaul. (25) The descendants of Elkanah included Amasai, Ahimoth, (26) Elkanah, Zophai, Nahath, (27) Eliab, Jeroham, Elkanah, and Samuel. (28) The sons of Samuel were Joel (the older) and Abijah (the second). (29) The descendants of Merari included Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzzah, (30) Shimea, Haggiah, and Asaiah. (31) David assigned the following men to lead the music at the house of the LORD after the Ark was placed there. (32) They ministered with music at the Tabernacle until Solomon built the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They carried out their work, following all the regulations handed down to them. (33) These are the men who served, along with their sons: Heman the musician was from the clan of Kohath. His genealogy was traced back through Joel, Samuel, (34) Elkanah, Jeroham, Eliel, Toah, (35) Zuph, Elkanah, Mahath, Amasai, (36) Elkanah, Joel, Azariah, Zephaniah, (37) Tahath, Assir, Abiasaph, Korah, (38) Izhar, Kohath, Levi, and Israel. (39) Heman’s first assistant was Asaph from the clan of Gershon. Asaph’s genealogy was traced back through Berekiah, Shimea, (40) Michael, Baaseiah, Malkijah, (41) Ethni, Zerah, Adaiah, (42) Ethan, Zimmah, Shimei, (43) Jahath, Gershon, and Levi. (44) Heman’s second assistant was Ethan from the clan of Merari. Ethan’s genealogy was traced back through Kishi, Abdi, Malluch, (45) Hashabiah, Amaziah, Hilkiah, (46) Amzi, Bani, Shemer, (47) Mahli, Mushi, Merari, and Levi. (48) Their fellow Levites were appointed to various other tasks in the Tabernacle, the house of God. (49) Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, and they performed all the other duties related to the Most Holy Place. They made atonement for Israel by doing everything that Moses, the servant of God, had commanded them. (50) The descendants of Aaron were Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua, (51) Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah, (52) Meraioth, Amariah, Ahitub, (53) Zadok, and Ahimaaz. (54) This is a record of the towns and territory assigned by means of sacred lots to the descendants of Aaron, who were from the clan of Kohath. (55) This territory included Hebron and its surrounding pasturelands in Judah, (56) but the fields and outlying areas belonging to the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. (57) So the descendants of Aaron were given the following towns, each with its pasturelands: Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, (58) Holon, Debir, (59) Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh. (60) And from the territory of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, each with its pasturelands. So thirteen towns were given to the descendants of Aaron. (61) The remaining descendants of Kohath received ten towns from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh by means of sacred lots. (62) The descendants of Gershon received by sacred lots thirteen towns from the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and from the Bashan area of Manasseh, east of the Jordan. (63) The descendants of Merari received by sacred lots twelve towns from the territories of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. (64) So the people of Israel assigned all these towns and pasturelands to the Levites. (65) The towns in the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, mentioned above, were assigned to them by means of sacred lots. (66) The descendants of Kohath were given the following towns from the territory of Ephraim, each with its pasturelands: (67) Shechem (a city of refuge in the hill country of Ephraim), Gezer, (68) Jokmeam, Beth-horon, (69) Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon. (70) The remaining descendants of Kohath were assigned the towns of Aner and Bileam from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh, each with its pasturelands. (71) The descendants of Gershon received the towns of Golan (in Bashan) and Ashtaroth from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh, each with its pasturelands. (72) From the territory of Issachar, they were given Kedesh, Daberath, (73) Ramoth, and Anem, each with its pasturelands. (74) From the territory of Asher, they received Mashal, Abdon, (75) Hukok, and Rehob, each with its pasturelands. (76) From the territory of Naphtali, they were given Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, each with its pasturelands. (77) The remaining descendants of Merari received the towns of Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmon, and Tabor from the territory of Zebulun, each with its pasturelands. (78) From the territory of Reuben, east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho, they received Bezer (a desert town), Jahaz, (79) Kedemoth, and Mephaath, each with its pasturelands. (80) And from the territory of Gad, they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, (81) Heshbon, and Jazer, each with its pasturelands.

1 CHRONICLES 7: Descendants of Issachar: (1) The four sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. (2) The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel. Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. At the time of King David, the total number of mighty warriors listed in the records of these clans was 22,600. (3) The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. These five became the leaders of clans. (4) All of them had many wives and many sons, so the total number of men available for military service among their descendants was 36,000. (5) The total number of mighty warriors from all the clans of the tribe of Issachar was 87,000. All of them were listed in their genealogical records. (6) Three of Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Beker, and Jediael. (7) The five sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri. Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. The total number of mighty warriors from these clans was 22,034, as listed in their genealogical records. (8) The sons of Beker were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. (9) Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. The total number of mighty warriors and leaders from these clans was 20,200, as listed in their genealogical records. (10) The son of Jediael was Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. (11) Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. From these clans the total number of mighty warriors ready for war was 17,200. (12) The sons of Ir were Shuppim and Huppim. Hushim was the son of Aher. (13) The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. They were all descendants of Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. (14) The descendants of Manasseh through his Aramean concubine included Asriel. She also bore Makir, the father of Gilead. (15) Makir found wives for Huppim and Shuppim. Makir had a sister named Maacah. One of his descendants was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. (16) Makir’s wife, Maacah, gave birth to a son whom she named Peresh. His brother’s name was Sheresh. The sons of Peresh were Ulam and Rakem. (17) The son of Ulam was Bedan. All these were considered Gileadites, descendants of Makir son of Manasseh. (18) Makir’s sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. (19) The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. (20) The descendants of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, (21) Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead. These two were killed trying to steal livestock from the local farmers near Gath. (22) Their father, Ephraim, mourned for them a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him. (23) Afterward Ephraim slept with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Ephraim named him Beriah because of the tragedy his family had suffered. (24) He had a daughter named Sheerah. She built the towns of Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah. (25) The descendants of Ephraim included Rephah, Resheph, Telah, Tahan, (26) Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, (27) Nun, and Joshua. (28) The descendants of Ephraim lived in the territory that included Bethel and its surrounding towns to the south, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its surrounding villages to the north as far as Ayyah and its towns. (29) Along the border of Manasseh were the towns of Beth-shan, Taanach, Megiddo, Dor, and their surrounding villages. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns. (30) The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. They had a sister named Serah. (31) The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel (the father of Birzaith). (32) The sons of Heber were Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham. They had a sister named Shua. (33) The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. (34) The sons of Shomer were Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram. (35) The sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. (36) The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, (37) Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. (38) The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. (39) The sons of Ulla were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. (40) Each of these descendants of Asher was the head of an ancestral clan. They were all select men—mighty warriors and outstanding leaders. The total number of men available for military service was 26,000, as listed in their genealogical records.

1 CHRONICLES 8: Descendants of Benjamin: Benjamin’s first son was Bela, the second was Ashbel, the third was Aharah, (2) the fourth was Nohah, and the fifth was Rapha. (3) The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud, (4) Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, (5) Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. (6) The sons of Ehud, leaders of the clans living at Geba, were exiled to Manahath. (7) Ehud’s sons were Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera, who led them into exile, was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. (8) After Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara, he had children in the land of Moab. (9) Hodesh, his new wife, gave birth to Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, (10) Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These sons all became the leaders of clans. (11) Shaharaim’s wife Hushim had already given birth to Abitub and Elpaal. (12) The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built the towns of Ono and Lod and their nearby villages), (13) Beriah, and Shema. They were the leaders of the clans living in Aijalon, and they drove out the inhabitants of Gath. (14) Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, (15) Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, (16) Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah. (17) Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, (18) Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. (19) Jakim, Zicri, Zabdi, (20) Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, (21) Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. (22) Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, (23) Abdon, Zicri, Hanan, (24) Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, (25) Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak. (26) Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, (27) Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zicri were the sons of Jeroham. (28) These were the leaders of the ancestral clans; they were listed in their genealogical records, and they all lived in Jerusalem. (29) Jeiel (the father of Gibeon) lived in the town of Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah, (30) and his oldest son was named Abdon. Jeiel’s other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, (31) Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, (32) and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeam. All these families lived near each other in Jerusalem. (33) Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malkishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. (34) Jonathan was the father of Merib-baal. Merib-baal was the father of Micah. (35) Micah was the father of Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. (36) Ahaz was the father of Jadah. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. (37) Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Rephaiah. Rephaiah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel. (38) Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel. (39) Azel’s brother Eshek had three sons: the first was Ulam, the second was Jeush, and the third was Eliphelet. (40) Ulam’s sons were all mighty warriors and expert archers. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were descendants of Benjamin.

1 CHRONICLES 9: (1) So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel. The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD. (2) The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. (3) Some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem. (4) One family that returned was that of Uthai son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah. (5) Others returned from the Shilonite clan, including Asaiah (the oldest) and his sons. (6) From the Zerahite clan, Jeuel returned with his relatives. In all, 690 families from the tribe of Judah returned. (7) From the tribe of Benjamin came Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah; (8) Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Micri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah. (9) These men were all leaders of clans, and they were listed in their genealogical records. In all, 956 families from the tribe of Benjamin returned. (10) Among the priests who returned were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jakin, (11) Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub. Azariah was the chief officer of the house of God. (12) Other returning priests were Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malkijah, and Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer. (13) In all, 1,760 priests returned. They were heads of clans and very able men. They were responsible for ministering at the house of God. (14) The Levites who returned were Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari; (15) Bakbakkar; Heresh; Galal; Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zicri, son of Asaph; (16) Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the area of Netophah. (17) The gatekeepers who returned were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was the chief gatekeeper. (18) Prior to this time, they were responsible for the King’s Gate on the east side. These men served as gatekeepers for the camps of the Levites. (19) Shallum was the son of Kore, a descendant of Abiasaph, from the clan of Korah. He and his relatives, the Korahites, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the sanctuary, just as their ancestors had guarded the Tabernacle in the camp of the LORD. (20) Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers in earlier times, and the LORD had been with him. (21) And later Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was responsible for guarding the entrance to the Tabernacle. (22) In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men. (23) These gatekeepers and their descendants, by their divisions, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the house of the LORD when that house was a tent. (24) The gatekeepers were stationed on all four sides—east, west, north, and south. (25) Their relatives in the villages came regularly to share their duties for seven-day periods. (26) The four chief gatekeepers, all Levites, were trusted officials, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries at the house of God. (27) They would spend the night around the house of God, since it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning. (28) Some of the gatekeepers were assigned to care for the various articles used in worship. They checked them in and out to avoid any loss. (29) Others were responsible for the furnishings, the items in the sanctuary, and the supplies, such as choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense, and spices. (30) But it was the priests who blended the spices. (31) Mattithiah, a Levite and the oldest son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread used in the offerings. (32) And some members of the clan of Kohath were in charge of preparing the bread to be set on the table each Sabbath day. (33) The musicians, all prominent Levites, lived at the Temple. They were exempt from other responsibilities since they were on duty at all hours. (34) All these men lived in Jerusalem. They were the heads of Levite families and were listed as prominent leaders in their genealogical records. (35) Jeiel (the father of Gibeon) lived in the town of Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah, (36) and his oldest son was named Abdon. Jeiel’s other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, (37) Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. (38) Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. All these families lived near each other in Jerusalem. (39) Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malkishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. (40) Jonathan was the father of Merib-baal. Merib-baal was the father of Micah. (41) The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. (42) Ahaz was the father of Jadah. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. (43) Moza was the father of Binea. Binea’s son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah’s son was Eleasah. Eleasah’s son was Azel. (44) Azel had six sons, whose names were Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

1 CHRONICLES 10: The Death of King Saul: (1) Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. (2) The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua. (3) The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him. (4) Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. (5) When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died. (6) So Saul and his three sons died there together, bringing his dynasty to an end. (7) When all the Israelites in the Jezreel Valley saw that their army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns. (8) The next day, when the Philistines went out to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. (9) So they stripped off Saul’s armor and cut off his head. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death before their idols and to the people throughout the land of Philistia. (10) They placed his armor in the temple of their gods, and they fastened his head to the temple of Dagon. (11) But when everyone in Jabesh-gilead heard about everything the Philistines had done to Saul, (12) all their mighty warriors brought the bodies of Saul and his sons back to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones beneath the great tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days. (13) So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD. He failed to obey the LORD’s command, and he even consulted a medium (14) instead of asking the LORD for guidance. So the LORD killed him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 CHRONICLES 11: David Becomes King of All Israel: (1) Then all Israel gathered before David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. (2) In the past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the LORD your God told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be the leader of my people Israel.’” (3) So there at Hebron, David made a covenant before the LORD with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel, just as the LORD had promised through Samuel. (4) Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land, were living. (5) The people of Jebus taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David. (6) David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies. (7) David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David. (8) He extended the city from the supporting terraces to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem. (9) And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD of Heaven’s Armies was with him. (10) These are the leaders of David’s mighty warriors. Together with all Israel, they decided to make David their king, just as the LORD had promised concerning Israel. (11) Here is the record of David’s mightiest warriors: The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. (12) Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. (13) He was with David in the battle against the Philistines at Pas-dammim. The battle took place in a field full of barley, and the Israelite army fled. (14) But Eleazar and David held their ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD saved them by giving them a great victory. (15) Once when David was at the rock near the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. (16) David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. (17) David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” (18) So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. (19) “God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three. (20) Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. (21) Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three. (22) There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. (23) Once, armed only with a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was 7½ feet tall and whose spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. (24) Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the three mightiest warriors. (25) He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard. (26) David’s mighty warriors also included: Asahel, Joab’s brother; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem; (27) Shammah from Harod; Helez from Pelon; (28) Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; Abiezer from Anathoth; (29) Sibbecai from Hushah; Zalmon from Ahoah; (30) Maharai from Netophah; Heled son of Baanah from Netophah; (31) Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin); Benaiah from Pirathon; (32) Hurai from near Nahale-gaash; Abi-albon from Arabah; (33) Azmaveth from Bahurim; Eliahba from Shaalbon; (34) the sons of Jashen from Gizon; Jonathan son of Shagee from Harar; (35) Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar; Eliphal son of Ur; (36) Hepher from Mekerah; Ahijah from Pelon; (37) Hezro from Carmel; Paarai son of Ezbai; (38) Joel, the brother of Nathan; Mibhar son of Hagri; (39) Zelek from Ammon; Naharai from Beeroth, Joab’s armor bearer; (40) Ira from Jattir; Gareb from Jattir; (41) Uriah the Hittite; Zabad son of Ahlai; (42) Adina son of Shiza, the Reubenite leader who had thirty men with him; (43) Hanan son of Maacah; Joshaphat from Mithna; (44) Uzzia from Ashtaroth; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham, from Aroer; (45) Jediael son of Shimri; Joha, his brother, from Tiz; (46) Eliel from Mahavah; Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; Ithmah from Moab; (47) Eliel and Obed; Jaasiel from Zobah.

1 CHRONICLES 12: Warriors Join David’s Army: (1) The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. (2) All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. (3) Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu from Anathoth; (4) Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah; (5) Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from Haruph; (6) Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; (7) Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham from Gedor. (8) Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains. (9) Ezer was their leader. Obadiah was second. Eliab was third. (10) Mishmannah was fourth. Jeremiah was fifth. (11) Attai was sixth. Eliel was seventh. (12) Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth. (13) Jeremiah was tenth. Macbannai was eleventh. (14) These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand! (15) These were the men who crossed the Jordan River during its seasonal flooding at the beginning of the year and drove out all the people living in the lowlands on both the east and west banks. (16) Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. (17) David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see it and punish you.” (18) Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you.” So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops. (19) Some men from Manasseh defected from the Israelite army and joined David when he set out with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine rulers refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said, “It will cost us our heads if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us.” (20) Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who defected to David as he was returning to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each commanded 1,000 troops from the tribe of Manasseh. (21) They helped David chase down bands of raiders, for they were all brave and able warriors who became commanders in his army. (22) Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God. (23) These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the LORD had promised. (24) From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears. (25) From the tribe of Simeon, there were 7,100 brave warriors. (26) From the tribe of Levi, there were 4,600 warriors. (27) This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command. (28) This also included Zadok, a brave young warrior, with 22 members of his family who were all officers. (29) From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. (30) From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 brave warriors, each highly respected in his own clan. (31) From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, 18,000 men were designated by name to help David become king. (32) From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. (33) From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. (34) From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears. (35) From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle. (36) From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained warriors, all prepared for battle. (37) From the east side of the Jordan River—where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived—there were 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon. (38) All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king. (39) They feasted and drank with David for three days, for preparations had been made by their relatives for their arrival. (40) And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, clusters of raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, sheep, and goats were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.

1 CHRONICLES 13: David Attempts to Move the Ark: (1) David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. (2) Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: “If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us. (3) It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.” (4) The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do. (5) So David summoned all Israel, from the Shihor Brook of Egypt in the south all the way to the town of Lebo-hamath in the north, to join in bringing the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. (6) Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD who is enthroned between the cherubim. (7) They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart. (8) David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. (9) But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. (10) Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God. (11) David was angry because the LORD’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today. (12) David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” (13) So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. (14) The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.

1 CHRONICLES 14: David’s Palace and Family: (1) Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. (2) And David realized that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. (3) Then David married more wives in Jerusalem, and they had more sons and daughters. (4) These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, (5) Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, (6) Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, (7) Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. (8) When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. (9) The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. (10) So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.” (11) So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “God did it!” David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So they named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). (12) The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them. (13) But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. (14) And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. (15) When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” (16) So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. (17) So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David.

1 CHRONICLES 15: Preparing to Move the Ark: (1) David now built several buildings for himself in the City of David. He also prepared a place for the Ark of God and set up a special tent for it. (2) Then he commanded, “No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to serve him forever.” (3) Then David summoned all Israel to Jerusalem to bring the Ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it. (4) This is the number of the descendants of Aaron (the priests) and the Levites who were called together: (5) From the clan of Kohath, 120, with Uriel as their leader. (6) From the clan of Merari, 220, with Asaiah as their leader. (7) From the clan of Gershon, 130, with Joel as their leader. (8) From the descendants of Elizaphan, 200, with Shemaiah as their leader. (9) From the descendants of Hebron, 80, with Eliel as their leader. (10) From the descendants of Uzziel, 112, with Amminadab as their leader. (11) Then David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and these Levite leaders: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. (12) He said to them, “You are the leaders of the Levite families. You must purify yourselves and all your fellow Levites, so you can bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. (13) Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.” (14) So the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to Jerusalem. (15) Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. (16) David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals. (17) So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel along with his fellow Levites: Asaph son of Berekiah, and Ethan son of Kushaiah from the clan of Merari. (18) The following men were chosen as their assistants: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers—Obed-edom and Jeiel. (19) The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were chosen to sound the bronze cymbals. (20) Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were chosen to play the harps. (21) Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were chosen to play the lyres. (22) Kenaniah, the head Levite, was chosen as the choir leader because of his skill. (23) Berekiah and Elkanah were chosen to guard the Ark. (24) Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—all of whom were priests—were chosen to blow the trumpets as they marched in front of the Ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were chosen to guard the Ark. (25) Then David and the elders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the house of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration. (26) And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. (27) David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the Ark, and also the singers, and Kenaniah the choir leader. David was also wearing a priestly garment. (28) So all Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams’ horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres. (29) But as the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him.

1 CHRONICLES 16: (1) They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. (2) When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD. (3) Then he gave to every man and woman in all Israel a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. (4) David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the LORD—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. (5) Asaph, the leader of this group, sounded the cymbals. Second to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They played the harps and lyres. (6) The priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, played the trumpets regularly before the Ark of God’s Covenant. (7) On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the LORD: (8) Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. (9) Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. (10) Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. (11) Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. (12) Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, (13) you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. (14) He is the LORD our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. (15) Remember his covenant forever—the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (16) This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. (17) He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant: (18) “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.” (19) He said this when you were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan. (20) They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. (21) Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf: (22) “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.” (23) Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. (24) Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. (25) Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. (26) The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the LORD made the heavens! (27) Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling. (28) O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. (29) Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. (30) Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. (31) Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!” (32) Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! (33) Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise, for the LORD is coming to judge the earth. (34) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (35) Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.” (36) Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the LORD. (37) David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day. (38) This group included Obed-edom (son of Jeduthun), Hosah, and sixty-eight other Levites as gatekeepers. (39) Meanwhile, David stationed Zadok the priest and his fellow priests at the Tabernacle of the LORD at the place of worship in Gibeon, where they continued to minister before the LORD. (40) They sacrificed the regular burnt offerings to the LORD each morning and evening on the altar set aside for that purpose, obeying everything written in the Law of the LORD, as he had commanded Israel. (41) David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “his faithful love endures forever.” (42) They used their trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments to accompany their songs of praise to God. And the sons of Jeduthun were appointed as gatekeepers. (43) Then all the people returned to their homes, and David turned and went home to bless his own family.

1 CHRONICLES 17: The LORD’s Covenant Promise to David: (1) When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant is out there under a tent!” (2) Nathan replied to David, “Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.” (3) But that same night God said to Nathan, (4) “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD has declared: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in. (5) I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another in a Tabernacle. (6) Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s leaders, the shepherds of my people. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’ (7) “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. (8) I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! (9) And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, (10) starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will defeat all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, I declare that the LORD will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings! (11) For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. (12) He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for me. And I will secure his throne forever. (13) I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my favor from him as I took it from the one who ruled before you. (14) I will confirm him as king over my house and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.’” (15) So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the LORD had said in this vision. (16) Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (17) And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O LORD God! (18) “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. (19) For the sake of your servant, O LORD, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known. (20) “O LORD, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! (21) What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way. (22) You chose Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. (23) “And now, O LORD, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. May it be a promise that will last forever. (24) And may your name be established and honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.(25) “O my God, I have been bold enough to pray to you because you have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him—a dynasty of kings! (26) For you are God, O LORD. And you have promised these good things to your servant. (27) And now, it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, so that it will continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing, O LORD, it is an eternal blessing!”

1 CHRONICLES 18: David’s Military Victories: (1) After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath and its surrounding towns. (2) David also conquered the land of Moab, and the Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money. (3) David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as far as Hamath, when Hadadezer marched out to strengthen his control along the Euphrates River. (4) David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots. (5) When Arameans from Damascus arrived to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them. (6) Then he placed several army garrisons in Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. (7) David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem, (8) along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s towns of Tebah and Cun. Later Solomon melted the bronze and molded it into the great bronze basin called the Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles used at the Temple. (9) When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, (10) he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze. (11) King David dedicated all these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations—from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek. (12) Abishai son of Zeruiah destroyed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (13) He placed army garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. In fact, the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. (14) So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people. (15) Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian. (16) Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah was the court secretary. (17) Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard. And David’s sons served as the king’s chief assistants.

1 CHRONICLES 19: David Defeats the Ammonites: (1) Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king. (2) David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death. But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, (3) the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the land so they can come in and conquer it!” (4) So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved them, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. (5) When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance. (6) When the people of Ammon realized how seriously they had angered David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 75,000 pounds of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. (7) They also hired 32,000 chariots and secured the support of the king of Maacah and his army. These forces camped at Medeba, where they were joined by the Ammonite troops that Hanun had recruited from his own towns. (8) When David heard about this, he sent Joab and all his warriors to fight them. (9) The Ammonite troops came out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the city, while the other kings positioned themselves to fight in the open fields. (10) When Joab saw that he would have to fight on both the front and the rear, he chose some of Israel’s elite troops and placed them under his personal command to fight the Arameans in the fields. (11) He left the rest of the army under the command of his brother Abishai, who was to attack the Ammonites. (12) “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,” Joab told his brother. “And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you. (13) Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.” (14) When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away. (15) And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they also ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem. (16) The Arameans now realized that they were no match for Israel, so they sent messengers and summoned additional Aramean troops from the other side of the Euphrates River. These troops were under the command of Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s forces. (17) When David heard what was happening, he mobilized all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and positioned his troops in battle formation. Then David engaged the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him. (18) But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David’s forces killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army. (19) When Hadadezer’s allies saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to David and became his subjects. After that, the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

1 CHRONICLES 20: David Captures Rabbah: (1) In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, Joab led the Israelite army in successful attacks against the land of the Ammonites. In the process he laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. (2) When David arrived at Rabbah, he removed the crown from the king’s head, and it was placed on his own head. The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and he found that it weighed seventy-five pounds. David took a vast amount of plunder from the city. (3) He also made slaves of the people of Rabbah and forced them to labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes. That is how David dealt with the people of all the Ammonite towns. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem. (4) After this, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, a descendant of the giants, and so the Philistines were subdued. (5) During another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of Lahmi’s spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam! (6) In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants. (7) But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. (8) These Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.

1 CHRONICLES 21: David Takes a Census: (1) Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel. (2) So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the people of Israel—from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north—and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.” (3) But Joab replied, “May the LORD increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?” (4) But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem (5) and reported the number of people to David. There were 1,100,000 warriors in all Israel who could handle a sword, and 470,000 in Judah. (6) But Joab did not include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin in the census because he was so distressed at what the king had made him do. (7) God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it. (8) Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.” (9) Then the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer. This was the message: (10) “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’” (11) So Gad came to David and said, “These are the choices the LORD has given you. (12) You may choose three years of famine, three months of destruction by the sword of your enemies, or three days of severe plague as the angel of the LORD brings devastation throughout the land of Israel. Decide what answer I should give the LORD who sent me.” (13) “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands.” (14) So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 people died as a result. (15) And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the LORD relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. (16) David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn, reaching out over Jerusalem. So David and the leaders of Israel put on burlap to show their deep distress and fell face down on the ground. (17) And David said to God, “I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O LORD my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.” (18) Then the angel of the LORD told Gad to instruct David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. (19) So David went up to do what the LORD had commanded him through Gad. (2)0 Araunah, who was busy threshing wheat at the time, turned and saw the angel there. His four sons, who were with him, ran away and hid. (21) When Araunah saw David approaching, he left his threshing floor and bowed before David with his face to the ground. (22) David said to Araunah, “Let me buy this threshing floor from you at its full price. Then I will build an altar to the LORD there, so that he will stop the plague.” (23) “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, and the threshing boards for wood to build a fire on the altar, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give it all to you.” (24) But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!” (25) So David gave Araunah 600 pieces of gold in payment for the threshing floor. (26) David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the LORD answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. (27) Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath. (28) When David saw that the LORD had answered his prayer, he offered sacrifices there at Araunah’s threshing floor. (29) At that time the Tabernacle of the LORD and the altar of burnt offering that Moses had made in the wilderness were located at the place of worship in Gibeon. (30) But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the LORD.

1 CHRONICLES 22: (1) Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the LORD God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” (2) So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. (3) David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. (4) He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David. (5) David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the LORD must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death. (6) Then David sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a Temple for the LORD, the God of Israel. (7) “My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God,” David told him. (8) “But the LORD said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name. (9) But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. (10) He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ (11) “Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the LORD your God. (12) And may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the LORD your God as you rule over Israel. (13) For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart! (14) “I have worked hard to provide materials for building the Temple of the LORD—nearly 4,000 tons of gold, 40,000 tons of silver, and so much iron and bronze that it cannot be weighed. I have also gathered timber and stone for the walls, though you may need to add more. (15) You have a large number of skilled stonemasons and carpenters and craftsmen of every kind. (16) You have expert goldsmiths and silversmiths and workers of bronze and iron. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you!” (17) Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this project. (18) “The LORD your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the LORD and his people. (19) Now seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the LORD God so that you can bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the LORD’s name.”

1 CHRONICLES 23: Duties of the Levites: (1) When David was an old man, he appointed his son Solomon to be king over Israel. (2) David summoned all the leaders of Israel, together with the priests and Levites. (3) All the Levites who were thirty years old or older were counted, and the total came to 38,000. (4) Then David said, “From all the Levites, 24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple of the LORD. Another 6,000 will serve as officials and judges. (5) Another 4,000 will work as gatekeepers, and 4,000 will praise the LORD with the musical instruments I have made.” (6) Then David divided the Levites into divisions named after the clans descended from the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (7) The Gershonite family units were defined by their lines of descent from Libni and Shimei, the sons of Gershon. (8) Three of the descendants of Libni were Jehiel (the family leader), Zetham, and Joel. (9) These were the leaders of the family of Libni. Three of the descendants of Shimei were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. (10) Four other descendants of Shimei were Jahath, Ziza, Jeush, and Beriah. (11) Jahath was the family leader, and Ziza was next. Jeush and Beriah were counted as a single family because neither had many sons. (12) Four of the descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (13) The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart to dedicate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices in the LORD’s presence, to serve the LORD, and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. (14) As for Moses, the man of God, his sons were included with the tribe of Levi. (15) The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. (16) The descendants of Gershom included Shebuel, the family leader. (17) Eliezer had only one son, Rehabiah, the family leader. Rehabiah had numerous descendants. (18) The descendants of Izhar included Shelomith, the family leader. (19) The descendants of Hebron included Jeriah (the family leader), Amariah (the second), Jahaziel (the third), and Jekameam (the fourth). (20) The descendants of Uzziel included Micah (the family leader) and Isshiah (the second). (21) The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. (22) Eleazar died with no sons, only daughters. His daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish. (23) Three of the descendants of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. (24) These were the descendants of Levi by clans, the leaders of their family groups, registered carefully by name. Each had to be twenty years old or older to qualify for service in the house of the LORD. (25) For David said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given us peace, and he will always live in Jerusalem. (26) Now the Levites will no longer need to carry the Tabernacle and its furnishings from place to place.” (27) In accordance with David’s final instructions, all the Levites twenty years old or older were registered for service. (28) The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as they served at the house of the LORD. They also took care of the courtyards and side rooms, helped perform the ceremonies of purification, and served in many other ways in the house of God. (29) They were in charge of the sacred bread that was set out on the table, the choice flour for the grain offerings, the wafers made without yeast, the cakes cooked in olive oil, and the other mixed breads. They were also responsible to check all the weights and measures. (30) And each morning and evening they stood before the LORD to sing songs of thanks and praise to him. (31) They assisted with the burnt offerings that were presented to the LORD on Sabbath days, at new moon celebrations, and at all the appointed festivals. The required number of Levites served in the LORD’s presence at all times, following all the procedures they had been given. (32) And so, under the supervision of the priests, the Levites watched over the Tabernacle and the Temple and faithfully carried out their duties of service at the house of the LORD.

1 CHRONICLES 24: Duties of the Priests: (1) This is how Aaron’s descendants, the priests, were divided into groups for service. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (2) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons. So only Eleazar and Ithamar were left to carry on as priests. (3) With the help of Zadok, who was a descendant of Eleazar, and of Ahimelech, who was a descendant of Ithamar, David divided Aaron’s descendants into groups according to their various duties. (4) Eleazar’s descendants were divided into sixteen groups and Ithamar’s into eight, for there were more family leaders among the descendants of Eleazar. (5) All tasks were assigned to the various groups by means of sacred lots so that no preference would be shown, for there were many qualified officials serving God in the sanctuary from among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. (6) Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, acted as secretary and wrote down the names and assignments in the presence of the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites. The descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar took turns casting lots. (7) The first lot fell to Jehoiarib. The second lot fell to Jedaiah. (8) The third lot fell to Harim. The fourth lot fell to Seorim. (9) The fifth lot fell to Malkijah. The sixth lot fell to Mijamin. (10) The seventh lot fell to Hakkoz. The eighth lot fell to Abijah. (11) The ninth lot fell to Jeshua. The tenth lot fell to Shecaniah. (12) The eleventh lot fell to Eliashib. The twelfth lot fell to Jakim. (13) The thirteenth lot fell to Huppah. The fourteenth lot fell to Jeshebeab. (14) The fifteenth lot fell to Bilgah. The sixteenth lot fell to Immer. (15) The seventeenth lot fell to Hezir. The eighteenth lot fell to Happizzez. (16) The nineteenth lot fell to Pethahiah. The twentieth lot fell to Jehezkel. (17) The twenty-first lot fell to Jakin. The twenty-second lot fell to Gamul. (18) The twenty-third lot fell to Delaiah. The twenty-fourth lot fell to Maaziah. (19) Each group carried out its appointed duties in the house of the LORD according to the procedures established by their ancestor Aaron in obedience to the commands of the LORD, the God of Israel. (20) These were the other family leaders descended from Levi: From the descendants of Amram, the leader was Shebuel. From the descendants of Shebuel, the leader was Jehdeiah. (21) From the descendants of Rehabiah, the leader was Isshiah. (22) From the descendants of Izhar, the leader was Shelomith. From the descendants of Shelomith, the leader was Jahath. (23) From the descendants of Hebron, Jeriah was the leader, Amariah was second, Jahaziel was third, and Jekameam was fourth. (24) From the descendants of Uzziel, the leader was Micah. From the descendants of Micah, the leader was Shamir, (25) along with Isshiah, the brother of Micah. From the descendants of Isshiah, the leader was Zechariah. (26) From the descendants of Merari, the leaders were Mahli and Mushi. From the descendants of Jaaziah, the leader was Beno. (27) From the descendants of Merari through Jaaziah, the leaders were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. (28) From the descendants of Mahli, the leader was Eleazar, though he had no sons. (29) From the descendants of Kish, the leader was Jerahmeel. (30) From the descendants of Mushi, the leaders were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi in their various families. (31) Like the descendants of Aaron, they were assigned to their duties by means of sacred lots, without regard to age or rank. Lots were drawn in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and the Levites.

1 CHRONICLES 25: Duties of the Musicians: (1) David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. Here is a list of their names and their work: (2) From the sons of Asaph, there were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. They worked under the direction of their father, Asaph, who proclaimed God’s messages by the king’s orders. (3) From the sons of Jeduthun, there were Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six in all. They worked under the direction of their father, Jeduthun, who proclaimed God’s messages to the accompaniment of the lyre, offering thanks and praise to the LORD. (4) From the sons of Heman, there were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. (5) All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, for God had honored him with fourteen sons and three daughters. (6) All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the LORD. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. (7) They and their families were all trained in making music before the LORD, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician. (8) The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student. (9) The first lot fell to Joseph of the Asaph clan and twelve of his sons and relatives. The second lot fell to Gedaliah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (10) The third lot fell to Zaccur and twelve of his sons and relatives. (11) The fourth lot fell to Zeri and twelve of his sons and relatives. (12) The fifth lot fell to Nethaniah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (13) The sixth lot fell to Bukkiah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (14) The seventh lot fell to Asarelah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (15) The eighth lot fell to Jeshaiah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (16) The ninth lot fell to Mattaniah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (17) The tenth lot fell to Shimei and twelve of his sons and relatives. (18) The eleventh lot fell to Uzziel and twelve of his sons and relatives. (19) The twelfth lot fell to Hashabiah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (20) The thirteenth lot fell to Shubael and twelve of his sons and relatives. (21) The fourteenth lot fell to Mattithiah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (22) The fifteenth lot fell to Jerimoth and twelve of his sons and relatives. (23) The sixteenth lot fell to Hananiah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (24) The seventeenth lot fell to Joshbekashah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (25) The eighteenth lot fell to Hanani and twelve of his sons and relatives. (26) The nineteenth lot fell to Mallothi and twelve of his sons and relatives. (27) The twentieth lot fell to Eliathah and twelve of his sons and relatives. (28) The twenty-first lot fell to Hothir and twelve of his sons and relatives. (29) The twenty-second lot fell to Giddalti and twelve of his sons and relatives. (30) The twenty-third lot fell to Mahazioth and twelve of his sons and relatives. (31) The twenty-fourth lot fell to Romamti-ezer and twelve of his sons and relatives.

1 CHRONICLES 26: The Gatekeepers: (1) The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. (2) Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, (3) Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh. (4) Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, (5) Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.) (6) His son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father's family because they were very capable men. (7) The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men. (8) All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all. (9) Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all. (10) Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first), (11) Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all. (12) These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the temple of the LORD, just as their relatives had. (13) Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. (14) The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. (15) The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. (16) The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guard was alongside of guard: (17) There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. (18) As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court itself. (19) These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari. (20) Their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things. (21) The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, (22) the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the temple of the LORD. (23) From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites: (24) Shubael, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the officer in charge of the treasuries. (25) His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zicri his son and Shelomith his son. (26) Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. (27) Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the LORD. (28) And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives. (29) From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel. (30) From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the king's service. (31) As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David's reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. (32) Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

1 CHRONICLES 27: Army Divisions: (1) This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men. (2) In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. (3) He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month. (4) In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division. (5) The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. 6 This was the Benaiah who was a mighty man among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. (7) The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division. (8) The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (9) The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (10) The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (11) The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (12) The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (13) The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (14) The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. (15) The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division. (16) The officers over the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zicri; over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maacah; (17) over Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron: Zadok; (18) over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David; over Issachar: Omri son of Michael; (19) over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel; (20) over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah; (21) over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner; (22) over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the officers over the tribes of Israel. (23) David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. (24) Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David. (25) Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers. (26) Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the land. (27) Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats. (28) Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills. Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil. (29) Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys. (30) Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. (31) Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David's property. (32) Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hacmoni took care of the king's sons. (33) Ahithophel was the king's counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend. (34) Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army.

1 CHRONICLES 28: David's Plans for the Temple: (1) David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors. (2) King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. (3) But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.' (4) "Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. (5) Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. (6) He said to me: 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. (7) I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.' (8) "So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. (9) "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (10) Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." (11) Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. (12) He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. (13) He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the LORD, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. (14) He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: (15) the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; (16) the weight of gold for each table for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; (17) the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; (18) and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and shelter the ark of the covenant of the LORD. (19) "All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan." (20) David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (21) The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

1 CHRONICLES 29: Gifts for Building the Temple: (1) Then King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. (2) With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. (3) Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: (4) three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, (5) for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD ?" (6) Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. (7) They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. (8) Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. (9) The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (10) David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. (11) Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. (12) Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. (13) Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (14) "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (15) We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. (16) O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (17) I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (18) O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. (19) And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." (20) Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king. (21) The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. (22) They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day. Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest. (23) So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. (24) All the officers and mighty men, as well as all of King David's sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon. (25) The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before. (26) David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. (27) He ruled over Israel forty years—seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. (28) He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. (29) As for the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer, (30) together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands.