New King James Version (NKJV)

The Ammonites and Syrians Defeated

1 Ithappened after this that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.

2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.

3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”

4 Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at theirbuttocks, and sent them away.

5 Thensomewent and told David about the men; and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, andthenreturn.”

6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Syrian Maacah,and from Zobah.

7 So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, with the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities, and came to battle.

8 Now when David heardofit,he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.

9 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had comewereby themselves in the field.

10 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and putthemin battle array against the Syrians.

11 And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they setthemselvesin battle array against the people of Ammon.

12 Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.

13 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may theLorddowhatisgood in His sight.”

14 So Joab and the people whowerewith him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

15 When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother, and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem.

16 Now when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought the Syrians who were beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s armywentbefore them.

17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and came upon them, and set up inbattlearray against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

18 Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians, and killed Shophach the commander of the army.

19 And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.

Rabbah Is Conquered

1 Ithappened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go outtobattle,that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. ButDavid stayed at Jerusalem. AndJoab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.

2 Then Davidtook their king’s crown from his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, andtherewereprecious stones in it. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance.

3 And he brought out the people whowerein it, and putthemto work with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. So David did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returnedtoJerusalem.

Philistine Giants Destroyed

4 Now it happened afterwardthat war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines, at which timeSibbechai the Hushathite killed Sippai,whowasoneof the sons of the giant. And they were subdued.

5 Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spearwaslike a weaver’sbeam.

6 Yet againthere was war at Gath, where there was a man ofgreatstature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, sixoneachhandand sixoneachfoot;and he also was born to the giant.

7 So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

8 These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

The Census of Israel and Judah

1 NowSatan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

2 So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan,and bring the number of them to me that I may knowit.”

3 And Joab answered, “May theLordmake His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king,arethey not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?”

4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.

5 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israelhadone million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judahhadfour hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword.

6 But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.

8 So David said to God,“I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing;but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

9 Then theLordspoke to Gad, David’sseer, saying,

10 “Go and tell David,saying, ‘Thus says theLord: “I offer you threethings;choose one of them for yourself, that I may doitto you.” ’ ”

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

12 either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtakingyou,or else for three days the sword of theLord—the plague in the land, with the angel of theLorddestroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”

13 And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of theLord, for Hismerciesarevery great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

14 So theLordsent aplague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell.

15 And God sent anangel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, theLordlooked andrelented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.” And the angel of theLordstood by thethreshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

16 Then David lifted his eyes andsaw the angel of theLordstanding between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.

17 And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but thesesheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, OLordmy God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

18 Therefore, theangel of theLordcommanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to theLordon the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

19 So David went up at the word of Gad, which he had spoken in the name of theLord.

20 Now Ornan turned and saw the angel; and his four sonswhowerewith him hid themselves, but Ornan continued threshing wheat.

21 So David came to Ornan, and Ornan looked and saw David. And he went out from the threshing floor, and bowed before David withhisface to the ground.

22 Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the place ofthisthreshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to theLord. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.”

23 But Ornan said to David, “Takeitto yourself, and let my lord the king dowhatisgood in his eyes. Look, Ialsogiveyouthe oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I giveitall.”

24 Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buyitfor the full price, for I will not take what is yours for theLord, nor offer burnt offerings withthatwhichcostsmenothing.”

25 SoDavid gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place.

26 And David built there an altar to theLord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on theLord; andHe answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.

27 So theLordcommanded the angel, and he returned his sword to its sheath.

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

29 For the tabernacle of theLordand the altar of the burnt offering, which Moses had made in the wilderness,wereat that time at the high place inGibeon.

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

David Prepares to Build the Temple

1 Then David said,“Thisisthe house of theLordGod, and thisisthe altar of burnt offering for Israel.”

2 So David commanded to gather thealiens whowerein the land of Israel; and he appointed masons tocut hewn stones to build the house of God.

3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundancebeyond measure,

4 and cedar trees in abundance; for theSidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

5 Now David said,“Solomon my sonisyoung and inexperienced, and the house to be built for theLordmustbeexceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.

6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for theLordGod of Israel.

7 And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me,it was in my mind to build a houseto the name of theLordmy God;

8 but the word of theLordcame to me, saying,‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.

9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give himrest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

10 He shall build a house for My name, andhe shall be My son, and Iwillbehis Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

11 Now, my son, maytheLordbe with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of theLordyour God, as He has said to you.

12 Only may theLordgive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of theLordyour God.

13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which theLordcharged Moses concerning Israel.Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.

14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of theLordone hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and ironbeyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

15 Moreoverthereareworkmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.

16 Of gold and silver and bronze and ironthereisno limit. Arise and begin working, andtheLordbe with you.”

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

18 “Isnot theLordyour God with you?And has Henotgiven you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before theLordand before His people.

19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek theLordyour God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of theLordGod, tobring the ark of the covenant of theLordand the holy articles of God into the house that is to be builtfor the name of theLord.”

The Divisions of the Levites

1 So when David was old and full of days, he made his sonSolomon king over Israel.

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

3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age ofthirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand.

4 Of these, twenty-four thousandweretolook after the work of the house of theLord, six thousandwereofficers and judges,

5 four thousandweregatekeepers, and four thousandpraised theLordwithmusicalinstruments,“which I made,”saidDavid,“for giving praise.”

6 AlsoDavid separated them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

7 Of theGershonites: Laadan and Shimei.

8 The sons of Laadan: the first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel—threeinall.

9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran—threeinall.These were the heads of the fathers’housesof Laadan.

10 And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. Thesewerethe four sons of Shimei.

11 Jahath was the first and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; therefore they were assigned as one father’s house.

12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—fourinall.

13 The sons ofAmram: Aaron and Moses; andAaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things,to burn incense before theLord,to minister to Him, andto give the blessing in His name forever.

14 Nowthe sons of Moses the man of God were reckoned to the tribe of Levi.

15 The sons of MoseswereGershon and Eliezer.

16 Of the sons of Gershon,Shebuelwasthe first.

17 Of the descendants of Eliezer,Rehabiah was the first. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

18 Of the sons of Izhar,Shelomithwasthe first.

19 Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriahwasthe first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

20 Of the sons of Uzziel, Michahwasthe first and Jesshiah the second.

21 The sons of MerariwereMahli and Mushi. The sons of MahliwereEleazar andKish.

22 And Eleazar died, andhad no sons, but only daughters; and their brethren, the sons of Kish,took themaswives.

23 The sons of MushiwereMahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—threeinall.

24 Thesewerethe sons ofLevi by their fathers’ houses—the heads of the fathers’housesas they were counted individually by the number of their names, who did the work for the service of the house of theLord, from the age oftwenty years and above.

25 For David said, “TheLordGod of Israelhas given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever”;

26 and also to the Levites, “They shall no longercarry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.”

27 For by thelast words of David the Leviteswerenumbered from twenty years old and above;

28 because their dutywasto help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of theLord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God,

29 both withthe showbread andthe fine flour for the grain offering, withthe unleavened cakes andwhatisbakedinthe pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds ofmeasures and sizes;

30 to stand every morning to thank and praise theLord, and likewise at evening;

31 and at every presentation of a burnt offering to theLordon the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on theset feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before theLord;

32 and that they shouldattend to theneeds of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holyplace,and theneeds of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of theLord.

The Divisions of the Priests

1 Nowthesearethe divisions of the sons of Aaron.The sons of AaronwereNadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2 AndNadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.

3 Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, andAhimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.

4 There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, andthusthey were divided. Among the sons of Eleazarweresixteen heads oftheirfathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.

5 Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officialsofthehouseof God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.

6 And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel,oneofthe Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’housesof the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar andonefor Ithamar.

7 Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth toAbijah,

11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

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

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

19 Thiswasthe schedule of their servicefor coming into the house of theLordaccording to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as theLordGod of Israel had commanded him.

Other Levites

20 And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.

21 ConcerningRehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the firstwasIsshiah.

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

23 Of the sonsofHebron, Jeriahwasthefirst,Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third,andJekameam the fourth.

24 Ofthe sons of Uzziel, Michah; of the sons of Michah, Shamir.

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

26 The sons of MerariwereMahli and Mushi; the son of Jaaziah, Beno.

27 The sons of Merari by JaaziahwereBeno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

28 Of Mahli: Eleazar,who had no sons.

29 Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.

30 Alsothe sons of MushiwereMahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. Thesewerethe sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

31 These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’housesof the priests and Levites. The chief fathersdidjust as their younger brethren.

The Musicians

1 Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the servicesomeof the sons ofAsaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, whoshouldprophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was:

2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaphwereunder the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.

3 OfJeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah,Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise theLord.

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

5 All thesewerethe sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to exalt hishorn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All thesewereunder the direction of their father for the musicinthe house of theLord, with cymbals, stringed instruments, andharps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Hemanwereunder the authority of the king.

7 So thenumber of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of theLord, all who were skillful,wastwo hundred and eighty-eight.

8 And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great,the teacher with the student.

9 Now the first lot for Asaph came out for Joseph; the second for Gedaliah, him with his brethren and sons, twelve;

10 the third for Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

11 the fourth for Jizri, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

12 the fifth for Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

13 the sixth for Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

14 the seventh for Jesharelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

15 the eighth for Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

16 the ninth for Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

17 the tenth for Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

18 the eleventh for Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

19 the twelfth for Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

20 the thirteenth for Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

21 the fourteenth for Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

22 the fifteenth for Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

23 the sixteenth for Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

24 the seventeenth for Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

25 the eighteenth for Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

26 the nineteenth for Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

27 the twentieth for Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

28 the twenty-first for Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

29 the twenty-second for Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

30 the twenty-third for Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

31 the twenty-fourth for Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.

The Gatekeepers

1 Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son ofKore, of the sons of Asaph.

2 And the sons of MeshelemiahwereZechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

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

4 Moreover the sons ofObed-EdomwereShemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

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

6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because theyweremen of great ability.

7 The sons of ShemaiahwereOthni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiahwereable men.

8 All thesewereof the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren,able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.

9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men.

10 AlsoHosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (forthoughhe was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosahwerethirteen.

12 Among thesewerethe divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men,havingduties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of theLord.

13 And theycast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.

14 The lot for the EastGatefell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lotsforhis son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;

15 to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.

16 To Shuppim and Hosahthelotcameoutfor the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on theascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.

17 On the eastweresix Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two.

18 As for the Parbar on the west,therewerefour on the highwayandtwo at the Parbar.

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

The Treasuries and Other Duties

20 Of the Levites, Ahijahwasover the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of thededicated things.

21 The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’houses,of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli.

22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother,wereover the treasuries of the house of theLord.

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

24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses,wasoverseer of the treasuries.

25 And his brethren by EliezerwereRehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, andShelomith his son.

26 This Shelomith and his brethrenwereover all the treasuries of the dedicated thingswhich King David and the heads of fathers’houses,the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.

27 Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of theLord.

28 And all that Samuelthe seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicatedthing,was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.

29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sonsperformed duties asofficials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.

30 Of the Hebronites,Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of theLord, and in the service of the king.

31 Among the Hebronites,Jerijahwashead of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable menat Jazer of Gilead.

32 And his brethrenweretwo thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’houses,whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and theaffairs of the king.

The Military Divisions

1 And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’houses,the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of themilitarydivisions.Thesedivisionscame in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each divisionhavingtwenty-four thousand.

2 Over the first division for the first monthwasJashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand;

3 hewasof the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

4 Over the division of the second monthwasDodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth alsowasthe leader; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

5 The third captain of the army for the third monthwasBenaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

6 This was the Benaiahwhowasmightyamongthe thirty, and was over the thirty; in his divisionwasAmmizabad his son.

7 The fourthcaptainfor the fourth monthwasAsahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

8 The fifth captain for the fifth monthwasShamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

9 The sixthcaptainfor the sixth monthwasIra the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

10 The seventhcaptainfor the seventh monthwasHelez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

11 The eighthcaptainfor the eighth monthwasSibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

12 The ninthcaptainfor the ninth monthwasAbiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

13 The tenthcaptainfor the tenth monthwasMaharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

14 The eleventhcaptainfor the eleventh monthwasBenaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

15 The twelfthcaptainfor the twelfth monthwasHeldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his divisionweretwenty-four thousand.

Leaders of Tribes

16 Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the ReubeniteswasEliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah;

17 overthe Levites,Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites, Zadok;

18 overJudah,Elihu,oneof David’s brothers;overIssachar, Omri the son of Michael;

19 overZebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah;overNaphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;

20 overthe children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah;overthe half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

21 overthe half–tribeof Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah;overBenjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;

22 overDan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. Thesewerethe leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, becausetheLordhad said He would multiply Israel like thestars of the heavens.

24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, forwrath came upon Israel because of this census; nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David.

Other State Officials

25 And Azmaveth the son of Adielwasover the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.

26 Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground.

27 And Shimei the Ramathitewasover the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.

28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees thatwerein the lowlands, and Joashwasover the store of oil.

29 And Shitrai the Sharonitewasover the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herdsthatwerein the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelitewasover the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothitewasover the donkeys,

31 and Jaziz theHagritewasover the flocks. All thesewerethe officials over King David’s property.

32 Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle,wasa counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoniwaswith the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophelwasthe king’s counselor, andHushai the Architewasthe king’s companion.

34 After AhithophelwasJehoiada the son of Benaiah, thenAbiathar. And the general of the king’s armywasJoab.

Solomon Instructed to Build the Temple

1 Now David assembled at Jerusalem allthe leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes andthe captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, andthe stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and allthe mighty men of valor.

2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people:Ihadit in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of theLord, and forthe footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.

3 But God said to me,‘You shall not build a house for My name, because youhavebeena man of war and have shedblood.’

4 However theLordGod of Israelchose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosenJudahtobethe ruler. And of the house of Judah,the house of my father, andamong the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to makemeking over all Israel.

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

6 Now He said to me, ‘It isyour son Solomonwhoshall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen himtobeMy son, and I will be his Father.

7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever,if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’

8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of theLord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of theLordyour God, that you may possess this good land, and leaveitas an inheritance for your children after you forever.

9 “As for you, my son Solomon,know the God of your father, and serve Himwith a loyal heart and with a willing mind; fortheLordsearches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He willcast you off forever.

10 Consider now,for theLordhas chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

11 Then David gave his son Solomonthe plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat;

12 and theplans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of theLord, of all the chambers all around,of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things;

13 also for the division of the priests and theLevites, for all the work of the service of the house of theLord, and for all the articles of service in the house of theLord.

14 Hegavegold by weight forthingsof gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; alsosilverfor all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service;

15 the weight for thelampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand.

16 And by weighthegavegold for the tables of the showbread, for eachtable, and silver for the tables of silver;

17 also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—hegavegoldby weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls,silverby weight for every bowl;

18 and refined gold by weight for thealtar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the goldcherubim that spreadtheirwingsand overshadowed the ark of the covenant of theLord.

19 “Allthis,”saidDavid,“theLordmade me understand in writing, byHishand upon me, all the works of these plans.”

20 And David said to his son Solomon,“Be strong and of good courage, and doit;do not fear nor be dismayed, for theLordGod—my God—willbewith you.He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of theLord.

21 Herearethe divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; andevery willing craftsmanwillbewith you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the peoplewillbecompletely at your command.”