1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles

Book Outhne

Key theme: Tracing Israel’s family tree and establishing David’s dynasty

Key verses:

I. Ancestry ()

A. Adam to Abraham ()

B. Abraham to Israel and Esau ()

C. Israel to David ()

D. David to Zedekiah and Jehoiachin ()

E. The other tribes ()

F. Israel’s return from exile ()

G. The kingdom of Israel ()

II. Unity: The Nation Brought Together ()

A. David crowned ()

B. Jerusalem dedicated ()

III. Dynasty: God’s covenant with David ()

IV. Victory: The Borders Expanded ()

A. David’s battles ()

B. The tragic census ()

V. Efficiency: The Nation Organized ()

A. Site and commission of the temple ()

B. Organizing leaders ()

C. Preparations for Solomon’s accession ()

Book Overview

First and Second Chronicles are among the last penned words of the Old Testament. Only the prophet Malachi may have written later than the Chronicler. This writer scoured the records of Israel’s past and composed an account of God’s plan from the beginning of the nation until their return from years of exile in the East. First Chronicles, particularly chapters , parallels the account given in 2 Samuel. The first nine chapters present a panoramic review of the way in which God’s plan narrowed in scope until it focused on a people He had chosen and then a royal dynasty that would represent God’s ultimate promises. God chose a man named David who demonstrated uncommon faithfulness to the first Israelite king, whose throne he would eventually occupy.

What a remarkable and varied life David lived! As a shepherd, he killed a lion and a bear, and these victories prepared him to kill the giant Goliath. David served as an attendant to King Saul and became a beloved friend of Saul’s son Jonathan. For perhaps ten years, David was an exile in the wilderness of Judea, hiding from Saul and learning to trust God more and more. He patiently waited for the Lord to give him the promised throne, and God was faithful to His Word. Through faith and patience God’s people inherit what God has promised (), and David trusted God in the most difficult circumstances. David inherited a divided people, but with God’s help he united them and built Israel into a strong and powerful kingdom.

David was a man of war and fought the battles of the Lord, and the Lord was with him to give him victory. He extended the Israelite empire to the Brook of Egypt on the south and to the Euphrates River on the north. On the east he conquered Edom, Moab, and Ammon, and on the north he defeated the Arameans (Syrians). Because of God’s help, David became Israel’s greatest king and greatest military genius. He was blessed with courageous men like Joab and Abishai, plus his “mighty men” ().

David “served his own generation by the will of God” (). When you serve your own generation faithfully, you also serve future generations. “He who does the will of God abides forever” (). David’s legacy enriched God’s people, Israel, for centuries. Not only did David provide all that was needed for building the temple, he also wrote songs and designed musical instruments to be used in the worship services. Even more, through David’s family, the Savior, “the Root and the Offspring of David” (), entered the world, so through Christ, David still enriches the church today.

When we hear David’s name, we may think first of Bathsheba and David’s sins, but this book presents David the builder, the man who risked his life to gather wealth for building a temple to the glory of God. David provides a great example for believers of every age who want to make their lives count for Christ and leave behind their own legacy of spiritual blessing.

“Be Transformed”

Two significant terms come to mind when we read the records contained in this book: “heritage” and “legacy.” We are drawn to search for our roots; we want to know from whom we came and what our ancestors were like. “Heritage” and “legacy” are helpful terms in describing this process called “life” in which we are involved.

Heritage refers to the accumulated history of your family. Heritage is the unwritten and unbroken chain of humanity through the ages that leads to your life. You are living out your heritage, whether you realize it or not, in passed-on habits, traditions, and attitudes. You can’t go back and alter your heritage; it is complete the moment you are born.

Legacy is what we add, good or bad, to our children’s and grandchildren’s heritage. If you don’t like the heritage you received, you can shape your legacy and change the heritage your descendants will receive.

David, last-born child, not only rose to be king of Israel, but even more important, he grew up as a man after God’s own heart (). As a result, God made a covenant with him from which we benefit directly, because of our relationship with Jesus, David’s descendant. Alongside David’s obvious shortcomings we find this shining fact: He left a legacy of trust in God that we can inherit when we get to know the God David knew.

The Family of Adam—Seth to Abraham

2Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared,

3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

6The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.

7The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshishah, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

9The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabtecha. The sons of Raama were Sheba and Dedan.

10Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth.

11Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

12Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and the Caphtorim).

13Canaan begot Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth;

14the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite;

15the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite;

16the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

17The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.

18Arphaxad begot Shelah, and Shelah begot Eber.

20Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,

23Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.

24Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,

25Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26Serug, Nahor, Terah,

28The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.

The Family of Ishmael

29These are their genealogies: The firstborn of Ishmael was Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

The Family of Keturah

32Now the sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.

33The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

The Family of Isaac

34And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.

35The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah.

36And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek.

37The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

The Family of Seir

38The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

39And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; Lotan’s sister was Timna.

40The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Ajah and Anah.

41The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

42The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.

The Kings of Edom

43Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

44And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.

45When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

46And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

47When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

48And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place.

49When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

50And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

51Hadad died also. And the chiefs of Edom were Chief Timnah, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth,

52Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,

53Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar,

54Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.

The Family of Israel

2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

From Judah to David

4And Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

5The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

6The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five of them in all.

7The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the accursed thing.

8The son of Ethan was Azariah.

9Also the sons of Hezron who were born to him were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.

10Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, leader of the children of Judah;

11Nahshon begot Salma, and Salma begot Boaz;

12Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse;

13Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third,

14Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

17Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

The Family of Hezron

18Caleb the son of Hezron had children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth. Now these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.

19When Azubah died, Caleb took Ephrath as his wife, who bore him Hur.

20And Hur begot Uri, and Uri begot Bezalel.

21Now afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.

22Segub begot Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.

23(Geshur and Syria took from them the towns of Jair, with Kenath and its towns—sixty towns.) All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.

24After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Hezron’s wife Abijah bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

The Family of Jerahmeel

25The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram, the firstborn, and Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

26Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.

27The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.

28The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur.

29And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid.

30The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim; Seled died without children.

31The son of Appaim was Ishi, the son of Ishi was Sheshan, and Sheshan’s son was Ahlai.

32The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan; Jether died without children.

33The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

34Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. And Sheshan had an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha.

35Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife, and she bore him Attai.

36Attai begot Nathan, and Nathan begot Zabad;

37Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed;

38Obed begot Jehu, and Jehu begot Azariah;

39Azariah begot Helez, and Helez begot Eleasah;

40Eleasah begot Sismai, and Sismai begot Shallum;

41Shallum begot Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begot Elishama.

The Family of Caleb

42The descendants of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha, his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.

43The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.

44Shema begot Raham the father of Jorkoam, and Rekem begot Shammai.

45And the son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.

46Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begot Gazez.

47And the sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.

48Maachah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.

49She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.

50These were the descendants of Caleb: The sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, were Shobal the father of Kirjath Jearim,

51Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

52And Shobal the father of Kirjath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, and half of the families of Manuhoth.

53The families of Kirjath Jearim were the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. From these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.

54The sons of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites.

55And the families of the scribes who dwelt at Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Suchathites. These were the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

The Family of David

2the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

3the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

4These six were born to him in Hebron. There he reigned seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.

5And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon—four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel.

6Also there were Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,

7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

8Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet—nine in all.

9These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

The Family of Solomon

11Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

12Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,

13Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

14Amon his son, and Josiah his son.

15The sons of Josiah were Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.

16The sons of Jehoiakim were Jeconiah his son and Zedekiah his son.

The Family of Jeconiah

18and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

20and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed—five in all.

21The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, and the sons of Shechaniah.

22The son of Shechaniah was Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six in all.

23The sons of Neariah were Elioenai, Hezekiah, and Azrikam—three in all.

24The sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven in all.

The Family of Judah

2And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.

3These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi;

4and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem.

5And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.

7The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan;

8and Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

11Chelub the brother of Shuhah begot Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.

12And Eshton begot Beth-Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-Nahash. These were the men of Rechah.

14and Meonothai who begot Ophrah. Seraiah begot Joab the father of Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen.

15The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah was Kenaz.

16The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.

17The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18(His wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Sochoh, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) And these were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

19The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

20And the sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

21The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers of the house of Ashbea;

22also Jokim, the men of Chozeba, and Joash; Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubi-Lehem. Now the records are ancient.

23These were the potters and those who dwell at Netaim and Gederah; there they dwelt with the king for his work.

The Family of Simeon

24The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul,

25Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.

26And the sons of Mishma were Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, and Shimei his son.

27Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did any of their families multiply as much as the children of Judah.

28They dwelt at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar Shual,

29Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,

30Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

31Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David.

32And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five cities—

33and all the villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their dwelling places, and they maintained their genealogy:

34Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah;

35Joel, and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel;

36Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, and Benaiah;

37Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—

38these mentioned by name were leaders in their families, and their father’s house increased greatly.

39So they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

40And they found rich, good pasture, and the land was broad, quiet, and peaceful; for some Hamites formerly lived there.

41These recorded by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and they attacked their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and utterly destroyed them, as it is to this day. So they dwelt in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks there.

42Now some of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.

43And they defeated the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.

The Family of Reuben

2yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s—

3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

6and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried into captivity. He was leader of the Reubenites.

7And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was registered: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,

8and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal Meon.

9Eastward they settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness this side of the River Euphrates, because their cattle had multiplied in the land of Gilead.

10Now in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they dwelt in their tents throughout the entire area east of Gilead.

The Family of Gad

11And the children of Gad dwelt next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salcah:

12Joel was the chief, Shapham the next, then Jaanai and Shaphat in Bashan,

13and their brethren of their father’s house: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jachan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all.

14These were the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;

15Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was chief of their father’s house.

16And the Gadites dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan and in its villages, and in all the common-lands of Sharon within their borders.

17All these were registered by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

19They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.

20And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

21Then they took away their livestock—fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys—also one hundred thousand of their men;

22for many fell dead, because the war was God’s. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.

The Family of Manasseh (East)

23So the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. Their numbers increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir, or Mount Hermon.

24These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their fathers’ houses.

26So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan to this day.

The Family of Levi

2The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

5Abishua begot Bukki, and Bukki begot Uzzi;

6Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth;

7Meraioth begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub;

8Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Ahimaaz;

9Ahimaaz begot Azariah, and Azariah begot Johanan;

10Johanan begot Azariah (it was he who ministered as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem);

11Azariah begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub;

12Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Shallum;

13Shallum begot Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begot Azariah;

14Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak.

15Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

16The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

17These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei.

18The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

19The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. Now these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers:

20Of Gershon were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.

22The sons of Kohath were Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,

24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.

25The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth.

26As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son, Nahath his son,

27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son.

29The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.

Musicians in the House of the LORD

32They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.

33And these are the ones who ministered with their sons: Of the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,

34the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

35the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,

36the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,

37the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

38the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

39And his brother Asaph, who stood at his right hand, was Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

40the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,

41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,

42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershon, the son of Levi.

44Their brethren, the sons of Merari, on the left hand, were Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

45the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

46the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,

47the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

48And their brethren, the Levites, were appointed to every kind of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

The Family of Aaron

50Now these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,

52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

53Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.

Dwelling Places of the Levites

55They gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, with its surrounding common-lands.

56But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

57And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands,

58Hilen with its common-lands, Debir with its common-lands,

59Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands.

60And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families were thirteen.

61To the rest of the family of the tribe of the Kohathites they gave by lot ten cities from half the tribe of Manasseh.

62And to the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, they gave thirteen cities from the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

63To the sons of Merari, throughout their families, they gave twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun.

64So the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands to the Levites.

65And they gave by lot from the tribe of the children of Judah, from the tribe of the children of Simeon, and from the tribe of the children of Benjamin these cities which are called by their names.

66Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath were given cities as their territory from the tribe of Ephraim.

67And they gave them one of the cities of refuge, Shechem with its common-lands, in the mountains of Ephraim, also Gezer with its common-lands,

68Jokmeam with its common-lands, Beth Horon with its common-lands,

69Aijalon with its common-lands, and Gath Rimmon with its common-lands.

70And from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its common-lands and Bileam with its common-lands, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.

71From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands.

72And from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its common-lands, Daberath with its common-lands,

73Ramoth with its common-lands, and Anem with its common-lands.

74And from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its common-lands, Abdon with its common-lands,

75Hukok with its common-lands, and Rehob with its common-lands.

76And from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its common-lands, Hammon with its common-lands, and Kirjathaim with its common-lands.

77From the tribe of Zebulun the rest of the children of Merari were given Rimmon with its common-lands and Tabor with its common-lands.

78And on the other side of the Jordan, across from Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its common-lands, Jahzah with its common-lands,

79Kedemoth with its common-lands, and Mephaath with its common-lands.

80And from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its common-lands, Mahanaim with its common-lands,

81Heshbon with its common-lands, and Jazer with its common-lands.

The Family of Issachar

1The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all.

2The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.

3The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men.

4And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were thirty-six thousand troops ready for war; for they had many wives and sons.

5Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.

The Family of Benjamin

6The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all.

7The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.

8The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher.

9And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor.

10The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

11All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses; there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle.

12Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher.

The Family of Naphtali

13The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

The Family of Manasseh (West)

14The descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel.

16(Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

17The son of Ulam was Bedan.) These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

18His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.

19And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

The Family of Ephraim

20The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son,

21Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle.

22Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

23And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.

25and Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son,

26Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

27Nun his son, and Joshua his son.

28Now their possessions and dwelling places were Bethel and its towns: to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns;

29and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.

The Family of Asher

30The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah.

31The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.

32And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.

33The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the children of Japhlet.

34The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.

35And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.

36The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,

37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera.

38The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.

39The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia.

40All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.

The Family Tree of King Saul of Benjamin

2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

3The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud,

4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,

5Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

6These are the sons of Ehud, who were the heads of the fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and who forced them to move to Manahath:

7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera who forced them to move. He begot Uzza and Ahihud.

8Also Shaharaim had children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives.

9By Hodesh his wife he begot Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

10Jeuz, Sachiah, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of their fathers’ houses.

11And by Hushim he begot Abitub and Elpaal.

12The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns;

13and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of their fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath.

14Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,

15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

16Michael, Ispah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.

17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

18Ishmerai, Jizliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,

20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,

21Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,

23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,

24Hananiah, Elam, Antothijah,

25Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.

26Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,

27Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.

28These were heads of the fathers’ houses by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

29Now the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon.

30And his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,

31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,

32and Mikloth, who begot Shimeah. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.

34The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.

35The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.

36And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza.

37Moza begot Binea, Raphah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

38Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

39And the sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor—archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin.

1So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

2And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim.

Dwellers in Jerusalem

3Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh:

4Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah.

5Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.

6Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety.

7Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah;

8Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;

9and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were heads of a father’s house in their fathers’ houses.

The Priests at Jerusalem

10Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin;

11Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God;

12Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;

The Levites at Jerusalem

14Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

15Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;

16Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

The Levite Gatekeepers

17And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum was the chief.

18Until then they had been gatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east.

19Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD.

20And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.

21Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

23So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment.

24The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south.

25And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days.

26For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.

27And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning.

Other Levite Responsibilities

28Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.

29Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices.

30And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

31Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans.

32And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath.

33These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.

34These heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites were heads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem.

The Family of King Saul

36His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

37Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.

38And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.

39Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.

40The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.

41The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.

42And Ahaz begot Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza;

43Moza begot Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

44And Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

Tragic End of Saul and His Sons

2Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

3The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was wounded by the archers.

5And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died.

6So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

7And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; then the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

8So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

9And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among the people.

10Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

11And when all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12all the valiant men arose and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons; and they brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

David Made King over All Israel

2“Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.’ ”

3Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

The City of David

5But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

6Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.

7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David.

8And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.

9So David went on and became great, and the LORD of hosts was with him.

The Mighty Men of David

11And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.

13He was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines.

14But they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

16David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

17And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

18So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD.

19And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

20Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.

21Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

22Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.

23And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand there was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.

24These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men.

25Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.

26Also the mighty warriors were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

29Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite,

35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,

36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,

38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah),

40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

42Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites) and thirty with him,

43Hanan the son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,

46Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,

47Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

The Growth of David’s Army

2armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren.

3The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite;

4Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite;

5Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite;

6Elkanah, Jisshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;

7and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:

9Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbanai the eleventh.

14These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a thousand.

15These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold.

17And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”

18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said:

“We are yours, O David;

We are on your side, O son of Jesse!

Peace, peace to you,

And peace to your helpers!

For your God helps you.”

So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.

19And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.”

20When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh.

21And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army.

22For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.

David’s Army at Hebron

24of the sons of Judah bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred armed for war;

25of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor fit for war, seven thousand one hundred;

26of the sons of Levi four thousand six hundred;

27Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites, and with him three thousand seven hundred;

28Zadok, a young man, a valiant warrior, and from his father’s house twenty-two captains;

29of the sons of Benjamin, relatives of Saul, three thousand (until then the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul);

30of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father’s house;

31of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king;

32of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;

33of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks;

34of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear;

35of the Danites who could keep battle formation, twenty-eight thousand six hundred;

36of Asher, those who could go out to war, able to keep battle formation, forty thousand;

37of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from the other side of the Jordan, one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war.

38All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king.

39And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them.

40Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen—provisions of flour and cakes of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for there was joy in Israel.

The Ark Brought from Kirjath Jearim

2And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us;

4Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim.

6And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed.

7So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

8Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.

10Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

11And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day.

12David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

13So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

David Established at Jerusalem

2So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

4And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

7Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

The Philistines Defeated

9Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim.

10And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”

11So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

12And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

13Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley.

14Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.

15“And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

16So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.

17Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

2Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”

3And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.

4Then David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites:

5of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and one hundred and twenty of his brethren;

6of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and two hundred and twenty of his brethren;

7of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and one hundred and thirty of his brethren;

8of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his brethren;

9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren;

10of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and one hundred and twelve of his brethren.

11And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

12He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.

13“For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

14So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

15And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.

17So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

18and with them their brethren of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers;

19the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound the cymbals of bronze;

20Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to Alamoth;

22Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful;

23Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark;

24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.

26And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.

27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.

28Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.

The Ark Placed in the Tabernacle

2And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

3Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.

4And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel:

5Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals;

6Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

7On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

9Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;

Talk of all His wondrous works!

10Glory in His holy name;

Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

11Seek the LORD and His strength;

Seek His face evermore!

12Remember His marvelous works which He has done,

His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

13O seed of Israel His servant,

You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14He is the LORD our God;

His judgments are in all the earth.

15Remember His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,

16The covenant which He made with Abraham,

And His oath to Isaac,

17And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,

To Israel for an everlasting covenant,

18Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan

As the allotment of your inheritance,”

19When you were few in number,

Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

20When they went from one nation to another,

And from one kingdom to another people,

21He permitted no man to do them wrong;

Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

22Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.”

23Sing to the LORD, all the earth;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

24Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

25For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;

He is also to be feared above all gods.

26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens.

27Honor and majesty are before Him;

Strength and gladness are in His place.

28Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

Give to the LORD glory and strength.

29Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him.

Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

30Tremble before Him, all the earth.

The world also is firmly established,

It shall not be moved.

31Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

32Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.

33Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD,

For He is coming to judge the earth.

34Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

35And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;

Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,

To give thanks to Your holy name,

To triumph in Your praise.”

36Blessed be the LORD God of Israel

From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

Regular Worship Maintained

37So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required;

38and Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers;

40to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the Law of the LORD which He commanded Israel;

41and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endures forever;

42and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers.

43Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

God’s Covenant with David

2Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

4“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.

5“For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

6“Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’

7“Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.

8“And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth.

9“Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,

10“since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the LORD will build you a house.

11“And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12“He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.

13“I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.

14“And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

15According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

17“And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

18“What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant.

19“O LORD, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

20“O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

21“And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?

22“For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.

23“And now, O LORD, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said.

24“So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.

25“For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You.

26“And now, LORD, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant.

27“Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O LORD, and it shall be blessed forever.”

David’s Further Conquests

3And David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his power by the River Euphrates.

4David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots.

5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians.

6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8Also from Tibhath and from Chun, cities of Hadadezer, David brought a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.

9Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,

10he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze.

11King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations—from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

13He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

David’s Administration

15Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

16Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Shavsha was the scribe;

17Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers at the king’s side.

The Ammonites and Syrians Defeated

2Then 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.

3And 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?”

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

5Then some went 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, and then return.”

6When 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.

7So 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.

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

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

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

12Then 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 the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

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

15When 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.

16Now 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 army went before them.

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

18Then 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.

19And 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

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

3And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to 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 returned to Jerusalem.

Philistine Giants Destroyed

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

6Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.

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

8These 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

2So 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 know it.”

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

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

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

8So 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.”

10“Go and tell David, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.” ’ ”

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

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

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

14So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell.

16Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing 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.

17And 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 these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

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

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

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

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

23But Ornan said to David, “Take it to yourself, and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Look, I also give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all.”

24Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”

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

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

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

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

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

David Prepares to Build the Temple

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

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

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

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

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

8“but the word of the LORD came 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 him rest 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, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

12“Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.

13“Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged 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 the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

15“Moreover there are workmen 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 iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the LORD be with you.”

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

19“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD.”

The Divisions of the Levites

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

5four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the LORD with musical instruments, “which I made,” said David, “for giving praise.”

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

7Of the Gershonites: Laadan and Shimei.

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

9The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran—three in all. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Laadan.

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

11Jahath 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.

12The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all.

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

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

15The sons of Moses were Gershon and Eliezer.

16Of the sons of Gershon, Shebuel was the first.

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

18Of the sons of Izhar, Shelomith was the first.

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

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

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

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

23The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three in all.

24These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses—the heads of the fathers’ houses as they were counted individually by the number of their names, who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and above.

25For David said, “The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever”;

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

27For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above;

28because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD, 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,

29both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes;

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

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

32and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the LORD.

The Divisions of the Priests

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

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

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

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

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

8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

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

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

19This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the LORD according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

Other Levites

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

21Concerning Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

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

23Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

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

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

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

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

28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.

30Also the sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

31These 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’ houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.

The Musicians

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

3Of Jeduthun, 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 the LORD.

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

5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to exalt his horn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6All these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the authority of the king.

7So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the LORD, all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Gatekeepers

2And the sons of Meshelemiah were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

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

4Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

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

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

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

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

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

10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),

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

12Among these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD.

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

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

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

16To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.

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

18As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.

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

The Treasuries and Other Duties

20Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things.

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

22The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the LORD.

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

24Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.

25And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

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

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

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

29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.

30Of 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 the LORD, and in the service of the king.

31Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was head 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 men at Jazer of Gilead.

32And his brethren were two 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 the affairs of the king.

The Military Divisions

2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty-four thousand;

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

4Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

6This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.

7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

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

9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

Leaders of Tribes

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

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

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

19over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;

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

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

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

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

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

Other State Officials

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

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

28Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil.

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

30Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys,

31and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property.

33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion.

34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab.

Solomon Instructed to Build the Temple

2Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the 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 you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’

4“However the LORD God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen Judah to be the ruler. And of the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to make me king over all Israel.

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

6“Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My 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.’

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

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

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

14He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also silver for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service;

15the weight for the lampstands 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.

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

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

18and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

19“All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”

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

21“Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”

Offerings for Building the Temple

2“Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might: gold for things to be made of gold, silver for things of silver, bronze for things of bronze, iron for things of iron, wood for things of wood, onyx stones, stones to be set, glistening stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble slabs in abundance.

3“Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver:

4“three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses;

5“the gold for things of gold and the silver for things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be done by the hands of craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”

6Then the leaders of the fathers’ houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king’s work, offered willingly.

7They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

8And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, into the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Praise to God

“Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.

11Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,

The power and the glory,

The victory and the majesty;

For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

And You are exalted as head over all.

12Both riches and honor come from You,

And You reign over all.

In Your hand is power and might;

In Your hand it is to make great

And to give strength to all.

13“Now therefore, our God,

We thank You

And praise Your glorious name.

14But who am I, and who are my people,

That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?

For all things come from You,

And of Your own we have given You.

15For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,

As were all our fathers;

Our days on earth are as a shadow,

And without hope.

16“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.

17“I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.

18“O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.

19“And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.”

Solomon Anointed King

22So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be the leader, and Zadok to be priest.

23Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

24All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon.

25So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

The Close of David’s Reign

27And the period that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem.

28So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.

29Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

30with all his reign and his might, and the events that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the lands.

Annotations for 1 Chronicles

First Chronicles opens with an outhne of Jewish history. The most frequent word in this chapter is “sons,” quickly unfolding the heritage of Israel among the nations of the world. The Babylonians used a subjugation tactic that destroyed nationality by moving and mixing conquered nations with other people groups. The Jewish people returning from Babylonian exile had experienced that tactic, and the validity of their heritage as God’s chosen people was a source of comfort and confidence. When we don’t know where we came from, it’s difficult to go forward.

, The writer moves quickly to trace human development through the line of Adam and Eve’s third son Seth. Noah represents a second start for the human race, but he wasn’t the second Adam. That title was reserved for Jesus, who is first in the line of born-again children of God (see ).

Not every generation in the family tree of Noah’s three sons is mentioned, but we find clues about the origins of long-standing enmity in notes like “from whom came the Philistines” (v. ). The Philistines were a thorn in the side of Israel from the time they entered the Promised Land.

During Peleg’s life, a second great division between people was added to the separations created by family differences. During the building of the Tower of Babel, various language groups arose (see ). Until then, humans had shared a common language. But prideful independence from God led to God confusing the languages. People who refused to communicate with God suddenly discovered they couldn’t communicate with each other! We have been struggling to communicate ever since.

With the introduction of Abraham, the account narrows to focus on the patriarchs and the rise of the nation of Israel. The late-born only son of Abraham and Sarah was Isaac. He, in turn, fathered a set of miracle twins, the younger of whom was Jacob, whose name means “heel” or “deceiver” (see ). He eventually became “Israel,” which means “someone who struggles with God” (see ).

, The story of Jacob’s sons can be found in .

Again, the account narrows to trace the family background of David, who is the second most famous offspring of the family-tribe of Judah. The significance of this genealogy can be seen in establishing the royal ancestry of Jesus.

Jesse’s youngest son, David, is introduced here without fanfare or note indicating what and who he will become. This apparent insignificance highlights the details we read in , when Samuel is sent to anoint a future king. All of David’s older brothers are presented to Samuel before David is called in from the fields to be acknowledged by God as a man after his own heart. When it comes to the significance of our lives, knowing God demonstrates that it really is who you know that counts.

Many of the people mentioned in this section, like Joab (see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ) and Abishai (see ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ) were related to David and active in various ways during his reign.

Behind each of the names of David’s wives and children there were stories, many of them heartbreaking. Among the wives, Scripture tells us most about Abigail () and Bathsheba (; ). Among the children, Amnon and Tamar’s tragic story is found in . Absalom takes a central role in . Adonijah attempted to take the throne (), but David declared Solomon his chosen successor (; ).

Catalyst

David’s choice to follow the customs of Eastern monarchs and take many wives (see also ) led to rape, murder, and rebellion in his family. , gives clear instructions for Israel’s kings. Of course, David’s son Solomon would go far beyond what his father had done or what any Hebrew king would do () in acquiring wives and wealth.

The choice to follow human customs rather than God’s commands would haunt the households of Israel’s kings throughout their history.

Go to the

The royal genealogy from Solomon to Zedekiah takes us from the kingdom of Israel at its zenith through the divided kingdom and on to the kingdom in exile, recorded in 1 and 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. For the accounts behind some of these names, read about Rehoboam (), Jehoshaphat (), Uzziah (), Hezekiah (), and Josiah ().

Some of these names come up again in Jesus’ genealogy (, ). These were the generations of the royal family during and after the exile in Babylon.

Zerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Judah from Babylon and rebuilt the temple (see ).

Having recorded the lineage of the royal family, the Chronicler now gives us a breakdown of the nation’s family history, tracing the main figures in each of Jacob’s sons’ progeny. These lineages run from chapter through chapter .

, Like a precious jewel resting among unremarkable rocks, the glimpse we get of Jabez is a footnote in history about the impact of an uncommon common man. Here we find a life remembered because Jabez prayed a bold prayer and “God granted him what he requested.” Despite a name (Jabez means “pain”) that might have left him feeling unwanted, Jabez asked God to bless him, to “enlarge my territory,” to “be with me,” and to “keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” Jabez didn’t want to live up to his name. The fact that he turned to God and depended on God is the key that unlocked Jabez’s life, just as it unlocks our lives.

The Othniel mentioned here was Israel’s first judge. The judges were a series of gifted leaders God raised up to lead His people following the settlement of the Promised Land. The story of his special role is found in and .

Although Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob/Israel, his offense against his father by committing incest with one of Jacob’s concubines caused his permanent demotion among the descendants of Jacob who became the nation of Israel. What a tragic legacy to leave his own descendants! Reuben’s story illustrates how sin can poison a family for generations.

The three tribes east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh) joined forces to take their territory. Victory came because they “cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him” (v. ). Not only did they win the battle; their flocks were greatly increased as a result of the spoils from the war.

, When these tribes took over towns and villages that had belonged to pagan peoples, they probably cleaned out the homes. Unfortunately, they failed to clean out the idols and altars of the peoples they displaced. They left the spiritual chaff in with the grain God had given them. In doing so, they became unfaithful to the God who had blessed them so richly. They got caught up in their circumstances and forgot the God who is beyond circumstances. The account ends with the sad note that these tribes remained in exile. For the background of these events, read .

We sometimes forget that Moses was a Levite, a member of the tribe entrusted with the spiritual life of the nation of Israel. Moses’ brother, Aaron, was assigned a special role as first high priest of Israel. The brothers were given the task of serving God in the tabernacle (), and the Levites took on the same duties in the temple built by Solomon (). God orchestrated the exodus of His people from Egypt under the guidance of two men (and their sister) from the priestly clan, highlighting the fact that it was God working behind the scenes to bring His people out of slavery.

Aaron was the oldest son of Amram, so he is listed before his more famous brother. Miriam was also older than Moses. Aaron and Miriam were on stage or in the background throughout the accounts in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Interestingly, the lineage of Moses is not mentioned until . Here in chapter the attention is focused on Aaron and his clans and their special role in Israel. When we turn to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament we discover the importance of the distinct roles of the two brothers since each of them illustrates a way in which the ministry of Jesus is superior to any other. contrasts the role of Moses with the greater role of Jesus: “And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (, ). And discusses various ways in which the priesthood of Jesus completes the role that was only partly fulfilled by the priests and their sacrifices in the Old Testament.

Aaron had four sons, but he lost two of them (Nadab and Abihu) because they blatantly disobeyed God (see ). Eleazar, as the next oldest, has his descendants listed here. Later, in , David has the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar take turns in casting the lots that designated the specific rotating duties of the priests for the planned temple in Jerusalem.

Although Samuel is mentioned only in passing here, he certainly played a key role in the history of Israel. Many of the records used by the writer of this book were compiled by Samuel during those tumultuous years when judges guided Israel. Samuel served as the last judge and special prophet for God. His story is told in 1 Samuel.

Scattered among the listings of Israel’s family tree are explanatory notes that help us understand the reasons the genealogies are important. “Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD” even before the temple was constructed. They revived the musical traditions in the tabernacle while they waited for the permanent structure for worship in Jerusalem. David’s actions remind us of his own musical background as a writer of songs and a capable player of the harp (see ).

By the time this book was written, Solomon’s temple had been built and destroyed, replaced by the smaller version constructed by the returned exiles. This verse focuses on the importance, not of the building, but of the ministry the priests carried out in the temple. The emphasis was on doing exactly what God wanted done, an outlook that ought to characterize our lives. Life transformation always follows when we put into practice what God tells us in His Word to do.

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God told them the Levites would not be given a territory for themselves but would receive villages and towns within the lands of the other tribes (see ; ; , ). Some of the cities given to the Levites would be refuge cities where those accused of crimes could find shelter until their cases could be judged.

Zelophehad became a celebrated figure in Israel’s history because he produced five bold daughters who petitioned a land allotment from Moses after their father died in the wilderness with no male heirs (see ). Later, their case again came up before Moses because the people in their tribe foresaw that they might marry outside their clan and transfer land ownership to outsiders. God settled the matter in . Two significant social principles were established: Women could inherit land, and the lands belonging to one tribe had to remain that tribe’s territory.

Apparently the writer of this book had an interest in highlighting unusual women from the past. Sheerah was a descendant of Ephraim who built two towns. She joins Deborah the judge (), Miriam the worship leader (, ), the daughters of Zelophehad, and the diligent woman of as women who achieved much in a male-dominated society. God’s Word reports the efforts and accomplishments of these women as worthy in themselves, not just because they were accomplished by women.

Benjamin was Jacob/Israel’s youngest son, and his tribe is listed last. The first king of Israel, Saul, came from this tribe, so the genealogy quickly narrows to Saul’s family background.

The story of Saul’s rise to the throne and his eventual fall from God’s favor is told in . His son Jonathan is one of the most outstanding characters in the Bible. Jonathan’s friendship with David was one of the constants in David’s life until Jonathan was killed in battle alongside his father. Jonathan’s story saturates with integrity, genuine friendship, and exemplary loyalty. Having a friend like Jonathan is one of life’s greatest treasures.

Catalyst

Chapter represents a leap forward in history, bypassing the years of kingly rule and the years of captivity in Babylon to list the families that returned to Judah from exile. This accounting would fit best at the end of this book, but this flash forward serves as an encouraging note that the cycle of unfaithfulness and sinfulness that accompanied the monarchy and the painful punishment of exile finally ended.

Words of hope for the returning exiles were as significant as the promises we have about Christ’s return. And seeing how God kept His promises in the past renews our own sense of hope.

Go to the

The returning exiles were not great in number, but each person counted. The priests were “very able men.” The arduous journey back to the homeland had a qualifying effect on the nation in exile. Those willing to endure the hardship tended to be the kind of people who could be relied on to help reconstruct the national life.

“Trusted office” is used three times in this chapter concerning the appointment of leaders. One of the timeless marks of maturity in people is a strong commitment to personal integrity upon which others can rely.

These verses repeat , summarizing the lineage of King Saul. Since the next chapter begins with the death of Saul, this list serves as a sad and honorary roll call over the life of a disappointing king.

Scripture gives us three accounts of the death of Saul and his sons: , the report of the messenger in , and the record here in .

, According to these verses as well as the account in , , Saul killed himself by falling on his sword, but in the messenger said he had killed Saul to save him from experiencing further agony and humiliation. Only with great difficulty can these passages be reconciled; therefore, the man was probably lying.

, This passage informs us that God killed Saul for his rebellion, especially the sin of seeking guidance from a medium.

Here we begin to realize that this book will present a different view of events during the years of the kingdom of Israel. The Chronicler’s longer look back includes a clearer sense of how God was moving behind the scenes, “and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”

See .

By the time David moved to capture Jerusalem, he had already been king of Israel for seven years. The Lord must have guided David in a special way when he chose Jerusalem to be his capital because Jerusalem would play a strategic role in the working out of God’s great plan of salvation. God had promised the Israelites that He would appoint a place where they could come to worship Him (). The church now sees the earthly Jerusalem as a divided city, a city of traditions in conflict, but the heavenly Jerusalem as a symbol of the covenant of grace in Christ Jesus () and the eternal home of Christ’s people (; ). God has set His King on the throne (), and one day He will speak in His wrath and judge those who oppose Him and His truth.

See .

David and Eleazar stood their ground against overwhelming odds, and despite the fact that they were left behind on the battlefield, the Lord gave them a victory. We may not find ourselves in the same kind of warfare, but we can have great confidence knowing that God and faithful friends stand with us no matter what the circumstances.

These three of David’s “chief men” had a great deal of faith and courage, and what they did was in response to a desire in David’s heart, not an order from his lips. They obtained the water because they loved their king and wanted to please him. What an example for us to follow in serving the King of kings!

During two periods of time David experienced an outpouring of loyalty from the warriors of Israel. The first involved the years when he was a fugitive from Saul, using Ziklag as his base of operations. These verses offer a quick summary of the men who joined the popular leader they hoped would be the next king.

Catalyst

One of the distinct differences between God’s dealings with people during Old Testament times and New Testament times has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit. Here in verse we see the Spirit coming on Amasai to bless David and declare the allegiance of the thirty elite warriors. God moved in the lives of particular people to carry out specific actions He designated.

We can trace this pattern of the Spirit’s movement in the lives of people like Bezalel (), Jephthah (), Samson (; ), David (), and Zechariah (), always providing the special resources for extraordinary work. A different Zechariah recorded a summary statement of the Spirit’s work in , “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

But at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Spirit became the promised indweller of all believers (, ; , , , ). Joel had prophesied this development in , a passage Peter used to explain the sudden evidence that God was working among people in a new way (). Verses like , point out that believers can expect and rely on the Spirit’s presence in their lives (see also ). Today, God’s Spirit continues His intimate work in believers, enabling them to live the Christian life () and spread the gospel ().

Go to the

In the final days of Saul’s rule, more and more troops were joining David’s forces. Saul’s death left David as the de facto leader of the people. The writer gives a summary view that the people by and large were in favor of making David king. Mentioned among the forces that gathered with David was a large group from the tribe of Benjamin, and therefore relatives of Saul, who declared their allegiance to David.

See .

According to the writer of Chronicles, David appears to move the ark to Jerusalem as the first order of business, but 2 Samuel describes a lot of building that went on before David decided to bring the ark to the capital city. The Chronicler was intent on showing David’s actions in relation to God and His eventual temple in Jerusalem. Not only did this move consolidate the spiritual and governmental center of the nation, it also indicated that David wanted to send the message that Israel would no longer neglect the things of God.

, Certainly the death of Uzza was a tragic event, but it underscores the history of care that had always been connected with the ark. In their haste to bring the ark to Jerusalem, people were recruited to help who may not have been Levites. Good intentions are not an excuse for ignoring clear instructions. The handling of the ark was a divine assignment for the tribe of Levi (see ). No evidence is given that Abinadab was a Levite or that his sons Uzza and Ahio were even qualified to be near the ark, let alone touch it.

The lesson for the church today is that we should not ignore the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the church, the world, and the mission of those who claim to follow Jesus. Inventing ungodly (unscriptural) standards and then following them flies in the face of God’s insistence that He will not change His mind about what He wants us to believe and the way He wants His people to live (see ).

David quickly had the ark taken into the house of Obed-Edom, a Levite (, , ; ; , ), and there it remained for three months. David not only realized that speedy enthusiasm wasn’t enough; he took the first step to the right approach by placing the ark back under the responsibility of those God had entrusted with that job. When we discover we have been doing something the wrong way, we may not be able to immediately change everything, but we can make a good start by ceasing the course of action we were taking!

See . From a practical point of view, the Phoenicians needed to be on good terms with the Israelites because Israel could easily block the trade route to Tyre, and the Phoenicians depended on Israelite farmers for their food. (See .) David interpreted Hiram’s kindness as another indication that the Lord had indeed established him on the throne of Israel.

David seems to have ignored the law prohibiting Israel’s king from taking many wives (), as did Solomon after him (). At least one of David’s wives was a princess (), which suggests that the marriage was for the sake of political alliance or national security, and no doubt there were other similar marriages. The Bible records many actions like these without recommending them and often describes in painful detail the negative consequences.

David also had children by his concubines, so he had a large family to manage. It is no wonder that some of them got involved in various court intrigues and brought sorrow to the king. The Law clearly stated that the king was not to multiply wives, but both David and Solomon ignored this law, and both paid dearly for their disobedience.

See . As long as David was minding his own business in Hebron, the Philistines thought he was still one of their vassals. When he became king of the whole nation of Israel, however, the Philistines knew he was their enemy, and they attacked him. These attacks probably occurred before David relocated in Jerusalem because he and his men went down to “the stronghold” (), the wilderness area where he had lived in the days when Saul was out to kill him (; , ). Some commentators believe that the Gadite warriors joined David’s army at this time ().

David settled into Jerusalem and constructed “houses” for himself. He erected a tent in Jerusalem for the ark of God. He still intended to move it into the city even though his first attempt had failed miserably (see and ). And when David heard that the presence of the ark was bringing blessing to the household of Obed-Edom, he wanted that blessing for himself and his people. This time, he insisted that the appropriate people, the Levites, would handle the transfer of the ark.

This is the first of three musician lists mentioned (see also vv. and ). The three leaders chosen by the Levites eventually authored or inspired some of the psalms included in Scripture: Heman (), Asaph (, ), and Ethan ().

How delightful that Obed-Edom had the opportunity to participate in the celebration when the ark was moved from his home to Jerusalem. He was blessed by housing it, and he, in turn blessed others by entrusting it to his fellow Levites.

See .

Once the appropriate preparations had been made, David was able to enthusiastically lead the Levites in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The quality of our worship is often determined by the way we prepare for worship. If we give little thought to our upcoming participation with other believers in worship services, we shouldn’t be surprised by our lackluster experiences.

Michal’s disdainful reaction to David’s exuberant worship is reported here as somehow connected to her background as the daughter of Saul. Her love for David did not connect with his love for God. In this, she consistently mirrored her father’s lack of full appreciation for God’s role in her life. God’s work in the lives of our loved ones ought to be a source of joyful harmony in our hearts. Godly love seeks God’s best for those loved.

, This same account is recorded in , but the priestly and Levitical priorities of the Chronicler caused him to include many more of the details of the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem. The passage from includes the welcome songs composed by King David (vv. ), an account of the way the process of worship in Jerusalem was established around the ark (vv. , , , ), and a mention of the continued worship back in Gibeon, where the tabernacle still stood (vv. , ; , ). The tabernacle and ark were now over 550 years old.

This extended passage includes all or part of three psalms composed by David (vv. are ; are ; and are also , , ).

, Although worship continued in the tabernacle in Gibeon, the ark hadn’t been housed there for over twenty years (see ). It had been in exile ever since it was lost to the Philistines while Eli was priest and before Saul came to the throne. Then it was kept at Obed-Edom’s home, and now it was in Jerusalem. The tabernacle would be the site of worship until Solomon built the temple.

See .

Catalyst

David felt convicted about his luxurious life while the symbol of God’s covenant with Israel was still housed in a tent. His statement and Nathan’s response both illustrate well-intentioned ideas that believers sometimes have before they have taken the time to inquire of God about carrying them out. As it turned out, David’s plan was acceptable, but God had not chosen him to build the temple.

We may have great ideas and worthy plans, but God may decide to let others carry them out. If we insist on doing everything that occurs to us, we will run the danger of stepping beyond God’s purpose for us.

Go to the

Nathan came back from an encounter with the Lord with both bad news and good news for David. The bad news was that David would not be allowed to build the temple. But the good news was that God intended to make David’s dynasty permanent. God’s covenant with David is also found in .

What we marvel over today is God’s willingness to announce in writing His plans to provide a permanent, royal presence in world history. The words of Nathan were fulfilled for all time in Jesus, born in David’s line and therefore the everlasting inheritor of the throne.

If we wonder what God meant by calling David someone “after His own heart” (), this passage provides an answer. With profound humility David accepted God’s covenant and repeatedly turned the focus back to God’s greatness and grace. David understood that God really knew him and yet made the covenant in spite of David’s frailty. He learned the lesson we all need to learn, that life is never about us—it is ultimately about the God who made us and who loves us.

See .

With this victory Israel regained the territory that Saul had lost in his last battle. In subsequent campaigns with the Philistines, the Lord gave David one victory after another ().

The people had long recognized that David was a brave and skillful warrior, and these victories added greater glory to God and honor to His servant. By defeating the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and the forces of Hadadezer, David gave notice to Israel’s enemies that they had better be careful what they did to him and his people (see also ).

By the end of this chapter, David has established control over Israel. David was ready to rule, and these verses describe a royal house setthng into a governing mode. Even David’s sons were involved as “chief ministers,” which probably means that they were apprenticed among the king’s men, having significant responsibilities in order to learn the role of princes.

See .

, The unfortunate war that follows had its roots in a gesture of loyalty on David’s part. David was practicing a rule laid down much later by the apostle Paul, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (). David had already laid claim to the original boundaries of the Promised Land. He didn’t intend to attack his neighbor Hanun, but his overture of friendship was badly misread. And when Hanun realized his mistake, he followed up with the wrong remedy. Instead of an apology, he ramped up for war. David wasn’t looking for a fight, but he knew how to conduct one when the need arose.

On this occasion, Joab proved to be not only a courageous warrior and an excellent strategist but also a soldier who understood that when faced with overwhelming odds, ultimate trust must be put in God for the outcome of the struggle. “May the LORD do what is good in His sight” (v. ) is certainly a statement we ought to make in whatever endeavor we undertake, particularly those that are beyond our strength to achieve.

See ; . This brief account of the war with the Ammonites was going on in the background during David’s sinful episode with Bathsheba recorded in .

See .

Catalyst

David and his men faced actual giants in their lives and defeated them one after another. Once David had defeated Goliath (), the giants no longer looked invincible.

Think of the times when you have been encouraged by the spiritual boldness of others. Consider that God may put you in positions where others will gain courage because you have chosen to trust Him in a difficult situation. Giants shrink when measured against God’s greatness.

Go to the

Unlike the parallel account in , this account of David’s last census is told from the distance of decades and the perspective of its effects. In 2 Samuel, the record focuses on God’s role, “Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah” (). Here, in Chronicles, Satan is the culprit who “stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.” While Satan’s work is always destructive, God sometimes permits actions that ultimately accomplish His own purposes (see ).

Joab understood that David’s motivation was prideful, and he dared to challenge the king. He provided loyal opposition on this occasion, offering David a way out from the wrong course he was pursuing.

God hasn’t promised to keep us from temptation but to give us opportunities to escape. Joab is an Old Testament illustration of a timeless principle: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (, ). David thought he was standing strong, and the census was supposed to be proof of the strength. But it was a measurement of human strength and power, not a demonstration of trust in God.

, The writer of this book summarizes the effects of the census by noting God’s displeasure. also describes David’s attack of conscience. True to form, when David realized he had sinned, he admitted it, and he asked for forgiveness. With his history of painful results for past sin, David must have known that consequences were certain.

God gave David a choice between three punishments. We can reasonably assume that the number of casualties from a three-year famine, a three-month period of military setbacks, or a three-day plague might be about the same. David expressed his agony over the decision he had to make, but he chose to “fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercies are very great” (v. ).

The suffering that follows is shocking until we stop to realize that the punishments for the sins of leaders are often borne by those they are charged to lead. The results of any decision a leader makes may impact followers more directly than they impact him or her. This principle adds weight to the responsibilities of leadership. We may want to live lives in which we just make our own mistakes and suffer our own consequences, but we are connected with others. The effects of sin usually affect people well beyond the immediate sinner.

God relented, or “restrained the angel,” at a place that became memorialized as the location for the temple Solomon constructed (see ). When David saw the angel with his sword drawn, the fate of Jerusalem seemed sealed. David and the leadership humbled themselves, and the king begged God to restrict the remaining punishment to himself and his family.

Before the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite became the site for the temple, it became a place of sacrifice to the Lord. While Ornan made a generous gesture by simply offering the land to the king, David knew that his sacrifices to God could not be carried out on donated land. He bore the cost as part of his accepting responsibility. A cheap or free sacrifice is no sacrifice at all. The altar David built and the fire God sent to consume the sacrifice made that land holy, just as surely as the divine fire in the bush Moses saw in the wilderness created a space God called “holy ground” (see ). With God’s approval of David’s sacrifice, the angel of death sheathed his sword. The punishment was over.

The vivid sight of the angel of the Lord with a drawn sword made a lasting impression on David. He was “afraid” to the point that he wouldn’t make the trip to Gibeon to worship at the tabernacle. The deadly results of his decision to take a census left him reeling for quite a while. God’s forgiveness doesn’t mean we stop appreciating the severity of the sins we have committed. In fact if we minimize sin, we will probably not fully recognize the infinite value of forgiveness.

The parallel account in ends abruptly at this point. The plague has ended, and David has bought the threshing floor of Ornan and “sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings” on the altar there (). The Chronicler continues with a unique account of plans for the temple.

With David’s announcement that the former threshing floor would be the site of God’s temple, the Chronicler introduces this section of his account that is not repeated elsewhere. The remainder of the book, with the exception of the final two paragraphs, details David’s preparations for the construction of the temple.

David made preparations for the construction of the temple in three ways: he gathered the materials, he instructed his son, and he prepared the people. This chapter catalogs the steps David took to supply all the various components like cut stone, iron nails, gold, silver, bronze, and cedar lumber. Some of these very stones that David ordered may be among those visible in Jerusalem today in the foundation of that section of the ancient temple wall called the Western Wall.

David also told Solomon why God decided to prevent David from building the temple and to assign that task to his son. God had told David that Solomon’s reign would be marked by peace, a better atmosphere for the construction of the great building dedicated to honor God’s name. David realized, as parents often do, that his son would have the opportunity to create something greater on the foundation that he provided.

David gave Solomon a powerful fatherly blessing. His central theme was to tell his son that the future was all about walking with God. David gave Solomon a God-honoring task (building the temple), a God-centered supply of wisdom and understanding, a God-obeying purpose (rule over Israel), and a God-blessed outcome (success through obedience). His closing words to his son ought to be spoken frequently by all parents: “Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed” (v. ). Once we have instructed our children to build their lives around God and His Word, our job is to cheer them on.

David blessed his people by giving them a great vision of what God had already done in giving them a land in peace. Now it was time to “set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God” (v. ). In order to carry out that seeking, they were to build a great temple to honor God’s name. How are the circumstances in your life right now offering you an opportunity to seek the Lord? Are you taking certain steps in your life to honor your relationship with God?

For the details and travails surrounding Solomon’s coronation, see .

, Coming so soon on the heels of the disastrous census, it may seem strange to read that the Levites were counted at this point. Joab had intentionally not counted them in his previous census (see ). The purpose here had nothing to do with kingly pride and everything to do with preparing the people to function as a worshiping community.

The central duties of the Levites, which dated back to the exodus, had always revolved around the care and transport of a moveable place of worship, the tabernacle. Now their duties would become residential, since the temple would replace the tabernacle as the place that reminded the people of God’s presence. We must always remember, particularly if we have been involved in the construction of a beautiful church building, that God “does not dwell in temples made with hands” (). God is never contained in a building, though He may choose to display His presence in powerful ways at times (see ).

, Moses’ brother Aaron’s family had been chosen by God to serve as the priests of Israel. He had four sons, but two of them (Nadab and Abihu) had died for blatantly disregarding their roles (see ). The remaining two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar fathered the priestly generations. By David’s time, Eleazar’s descendants were about twice as numerous as Ithamar’s, so when the priestly tasks were assigned, there were sixteen groups from Eleazar’s family and eight groups from Ithamar’s.

The assignments were made by casting “lot” to avoid any appearance of favoritism. It’s also heartening to note that capable leadership was so abundant that this selection process didn’t create problems. Wouldn’t it be encouraging to be part of a local body of believers where all are eager to grow spiritually and develop qualities and abilities that can be used to benefit the rest of the church? Instead, too often we are casting about for leaders rather than rejoicing that plenty of godly people are available to fill leadership roles in the church.

Interestingly, David and the army commanders selected the musicians. This partly indicates the importance of music in the context of life and worship. Perhaps the years of military duty had given these men a special perspective on the musical abilities of these Levites during the hectic days of battle and army camping. David himself was a musician, so he had a particular appreciation of the power of music to enhance the proclamation of God’s messages.

The divisions of the musicians into worship teams ensured that qualified instrumentalists were available for each of the 24 divisions of the priests. Orderly worship doesn’t have to stifle creativity or prevent the Holy Spirit from moving among people. God is not disorganized. When we plan worship carefully and prayerfully, amazing moments of spontaneous worship develop. But a lack of planning or organization tends to result in confusion rather than creativity.

Although the duty of gatekeeper may not strike us as high achievement, these were certainly roles of responsibility among the Levites. The sons of Korah memorialized the role of gatekeeper in one of the psalms: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (). Gatekeepers also had the right to keep out people who were not qualified to enter the temple precincts. Think of the gatekeepers as the welcome team in your church. These were (and are) people appointed, not to keep people out (as the original gatekeepers did), but to welcome people into the courts of worship.

Once the need for a large standing army subsided, David organized his troops into rotating reserves. These were divisions of troops on call one month each year.

These verses list the equivalent of David’s cabinet and closest advisers. Many of these people are listed only here, and their specific duties relate to overseeing the king’s property.

Six of David’s inner circle are included in this brief accounting. One of them, Ahithophel, was disloyal to David in the attempt by Absalom to take the throne from his father (see , ; ). That reason for his replacement is not mentioned here. Throughout his life, David demonstrated an amazing capacity for motivating great loyalty from those around him. His children may have let him down, but most of his associates stood by him through thick and thin.

This address by David is an extended version of the information provided in .

The king gave a stirring charge to the people. He called them all to witness one another’s responsibility to “be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God” He also pointed to God as witness of this charge. We can never be sure what our children and grandchildren will do with the legacy we leave them, but our responsibility remains to leave them a legacy worth keeping.

, If you are looking for an outhne of an effective blessing to pass on to a child, this one that David gave to Solomon is among the best. Our children need to hear that we long to see them know intimately the God we know. We are trusting that their objective will be to worship and serve the Lord. We want both their hearts and minds involved in their relationship with God because God sees both. We can promise that if they seek Him, they will find Him.

David gave his son the plans for the temple, and he reviewed all the preparations he had made for Solomon’s great project. David foresaw with confidence that his son would succeed in building the temple for the glory of God. We can deeply touch our children by sharing with them a godly vision of their future service for God.

David basically announced the contents of his last will and testament, detailing what he was bequeathing personally for the construction of the temple. David’s personal example was followed by the leaders of Israel. Leaders who lead by example can certainly have a profound effect on events that unfold. The construction of the temple, like the construction of the tabernacle, was partly funded by the willing gifts of the people (see ).

The king’s prayer dedicated the people and their gifts to God. But the heart of this prayer is the magnificent picture of God that it expresses. Note the similarity between David’s description of God and the praise John reported from heaven in , . Passages like this help us to see the character of the God we worship.

Having set the bar of prayerful worship, David directed the people to lift their praise to God.

Neither Absalom’s nor Adonijah’s attempts on the throne are mentioned. The account presents an orderly transfer of kingly authority from David to Solomon. The Chronicler was focusing on the big picture of God’s sovereignty over the course Israel was taking rather than the complications and problems that had to be overcome along the way.

This respectful summary of David’s reign is also recorded in . The detailed records mentioned here in Chronicles no longer exist. But the accounts written in this book and 1 and 2 Samuel give us a picture of the very human king who was also a man after God’s heart.

1 Chronicles 1

1:1 ; ; , ,

1:1 , ;

1:2 Hebrew Qenan

1:4

1:4 Following Masoretic Text and Vulgate; Septuagint adds the sons of Noah.

1:5

1:6 Spelled Riphath in

1:7 Spelled Tarshish in

1:7 Spelled Dodanim in

1:8

1:9 Spelled Sabtah in

1:9 Spelled Raamah in

1:10 ,

1:12

1:13 , ;

1:17 ;

1:17

1:17 Spelled Mash in

1:19 Literally Division

1:20

1:22 Spelled Obal in

1:24

1:25

1:27

1:28 ,

1:28

1:28 ,

1:29

1:30 Spelled Hadar in

1:32

1:34

1:34 , , , ;

1:35

1:36

1:36 Spelled Zepho in

1:36 Compare

1:38

1:40 Spelled Alvan in

1:40 Spelled Shepho in

1:41

1:41 Spelled Hemdan in

1:42 Spelled Akan in

1:43

1:48

1:50 Spelled Hadar in

1:50 Spelled Pau in

1:51 Spelled Alvah in

1 Chronicles 2

2:1 ; , ;

2:1 ;

2:3

2:3

2:3

2:4

2:4

2:5

2:6

2:7

2:7

2:7 Spelled Achan in and elsewhere

2:9 Spelled Caleb in ,

2:10

2:10 ;

2:11 Spelled Salmon in and

2:13

2:13 Spelled Shammah in and elsewhere

2:15 , ;

2:16

2:17 Compare

2:19

2:19 Spelled Ephrathah elsewhere

2:20 ;

2:21

2:22

2:23

2:24

2:31 ,

2:36

2:37

2:49

2:50

2:50 ;

2:52 Same as the Manahethites, verse

2:55

2:55

1 Chronicles 3

3:1

3:1

3:1

3:1

3:1 Called Chileab in

3:2 ;

3:2

3:3

3:4

3:4

3:5

3:5 ,

3:5 Spelled Shammua in and

3:5 Spelled Bathsheba in

3:5 Called Eliam in

3:6 Spelled Elishua in and

3:6 Spelled Elpelet in

3:8

3:8 Spelled Beeliada in

3:9

3:10

3:10 Spelled Abijam in

3:11 Spelled Jehoram in and

3:11 Spelled Jehoash in

3:12 Called Uzziah in

3:15 Called Jehoahaz in

3:16

3:16 Compare

3:17

3:17 Also called Coniah in and Jehoiachin in

3:17 Or Jeconiah the captive were

3:22

1 Chronicles 4

4:1 ;

4:4

4:5

4:9

4:9 Literally He Will Cause Pain

4:11

4:13

4:13 Septuagint and Vulgate add and Meonothai.

4:14

4:14 Literally Valley of Craftsmen

4:15

4:17 Literally she

4:18 Or His Judean wife

4:19

4:21 ,

4:21 ;

4:23 Literally Plants

4:23 Literally Hedges

4:24

4:24 Called Jachin in

4:24 Called Zohar in

4:27

4:33 Or Baalath Beer (compare )

4:41

4:41

4:43 ;

1 Chronicles 5

5:1 ;

5:1 ;

5:1 ,

5:2 ,

5:2

5:3

5:6

5:6 Hebrew Tilgath-Pilneser

5:7

5:8 ; ,

5:9 ,

5:10

5:11

5:11 ,

5:11

5:16

5:17 ,

5:17 ,

5:19

5:20 []

5:20

5:20 ; , ; ,

5:22 []

5:22 ;

5:23

5:25

5:26

5:26

5:26 ;

5:26 Hebrew Tilgath-Pilneser

1 Chronicles 6

6:1

6:2 ,

6:3 ,

6:8

6:8

6:10 ,

6:10

6:11

6:11

6:14

6:15

6:16

6:16 Hebrew Gershom (alternate spelling of Gershon, as in verses , , , , , and )

6:20

6:22

6:25 ,

6:26 Compare verse

6:26 Spelled Zuph in verse and

6:26 Compare verse

6:27 Compare verse

6:28 Following Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic (compare verse and )

6:28 Hebrew Vasheni

6:31 , ;

6:31

6:33

6:34 Spelled Elihu in

6:34 Spelled Tohu in

6:37

6:39

6:41

6:48

6:49 []

6:49 ,

6:49

6:50

6:54

6:55 ; ,

6:56 ;

6:57 ,

6:58 Spelled Holon in

6:59 Spelled Ain in

6:60 Spelled Almon in

6:61

6:61

6:63 ,

6:66

6:67

6:68

6:77 Hebrew Rimmono, alternate spelling of Rimmon; see

1 Chronicles 7

7:1

7:1 Spelled Puvah in

7:2

7:6

7:12 Called Hupham in

7:13

7:13 Spelled Jahzeel in

7:13 Spelled Shillem in

7:14

7:14

7:14 The son of Gilead (compare , )

7:15 ;

7:15 Compare verse

7:15 Literally the second

7:15 Compare

7:17

7:20

7:23 Literally In Tragedy

7:24 ,

7:26

7:27 , ; ;

7:27 Hebrew Non

7:28

7:28 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Bomberg, Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate read Gazza.

7:29

7:29

7:30

7:31 Or Birzavith or Birzoth

7:32 Spelled Shemer in verse

7:32 Spelled Helem in verse

7:34

7:37 Spelled Jether in verse

1 Chronicles 8

8:1

8:1 Spelled Ahiram in

8:3 Called Ard in

8:6

8:6

8:13

8:29

8:32 Spelled Shimeam in

8:33

8:33 Also the son of Gibeon (compare , )

8:33 Called Jishui in

8:33 Called Ishbosheth in and elsewhere

8:34

8:34 Called Mephibosheth in

8:36 Spelled Jarah in

8:37 Spelled Rephaiah in

1 Chronicles 9

9:1

9:2

9:2 ;

9:3 ,

9:10

9:11

9:15

9:16

9:16

9:20 ;

9:21 ,

9:22 ,

9:22

9:25

9:27

9:29

9:30

9:31 ;

9:32

9:33 ;

9:35

9:37 Called Zecher in

9:38 Spelled Shimeah in

9:39

9:41

9:41 Spelled Tarea in

9:41 Following Arabic, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate (compare ); Masoretic Text and Septuagint omit and Ahaz.

9:42 Spelled Jehoaddah in

9:43 Spelled Raphah in

1 Chronicles 10

10:1 ,

10:10

10:12

10:12

10:13 , ;

10:13

10:14

1 Chronicles 11

11:1

11:2

11:2

11:3

11:3 , , ,

11:4

11:4 ; ,

11:8 Literally The Landfill

11:9

11:9

11:10

11:10 ,

11:11

11:11

11:11 Following Qere; Kethib, Septuagint, and Vulgate read the thirty (compare ).

11:12

11:15

11:15

11:20

11:20 Following Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Vulgate; Syriac reads thirty.

11:21

11:22

11:26

11:27

11:27 Spelled Harodite in

11:27 Called Paltite in

11:28

11:28

11:30

11:30 Spelled Heleb in and Heldai in

11:31

11:31 Spelled Ittai in

11:32 Spelled Hiddai in

11:32 Spelled Abi-Albon in

11:33 Spelled Barhumite in

11:39 Spelled Beerothite in

11:41

1 Chronicles 12

12:1

12:1

12:2 ;

12:8

12:14

12:15 ; ,

12:18

12:19

12:19

12:21 , ,

12:22

12:23

12:23

12:23

12:23

12:28

12:29 ,

12:32

12:33

12:38

1 Chronicles 13

13:1 ;

13:2

13:3 ,

13:5

13:5

13:5 ; ,

13:6 ,

13:6

13:6 Called Baale Judah in

13:7

13:7

13:8

13:9 Called Nachon in

13:10 []

13:10

13:11 Literally Outburst Against Uzza

13:14

13:14

1 Chronicles 14

14:1

14:2

14:4

14:4 Spelled Shimea in

14:5 Spelled Elishama in

14:5 Spelled Eliphelet in

14:7 Spelled Eliada in

14:8

14:9 ;

14:10 , ;

14:11 Literally Master of Breakthroughs

14:13

14:14

14:17

14:17 [; ]

1 Chronicles 15

15:1

15:2 []

15:2 ;

15:3

15:8

15:9

15:11

15:11 , ,

15:13

15:13

15:15

15:17 ;

15:17

15:17

15:18 Following Masoretic Text and Vulgate; Septuagint omits Ben.

15:20

15:21

15:24 []

15:24 ,

15:25

15:27 ,

15:28

15:29 , ; ,

1 Chronicles 16

16:1

16:2

16:4 ;

16:5

16:7 ;

16:7

16:8

16:14 []

16:16 ; ; ;

16:17 ,

16:17

16:19

16:21 ;

16:22

16:22 Compare verses with

16:23

16:26

16:33 ,

16:33 []

16:33 Compare verses with

16:34 ; ; ;

16:34 Compare verse with

16:35 ,

16:36 ,

16:36

16:36 Compare verses , with ,

16:37 ,

16:37

16:38

16:39

16:39

16:40 []

16:41 ;

16:43

1 Chronicles 17

17:1

17:4 [, ]

17:7

17:9

17:10 That is, a royal dynasty

17:11

17:11 [; ]; ;

17:12 [; ]

17:13

17:13 []

17:14 ; ; [];

17:16

17:21

1 Chronicles 18

18:1

18:2

18:2

18:3

18:3 Hebrew Hadarezer, and so throughout chapters and

18:4 Or seven hundred (compare )

18:5 ,

18:8

18:8 ,

18:8 Spelled Betah in

18:9 Spelled Toi in ,

18:10

18:10 Spelled Joram in

18:11

18:11

18:11

18:12

18:12

18:12 Or Syrians (compare )

18:13

18:16 Spelled Seraiah in

18:17

1 Chronicles 19

19:1

19:4

19:6 ,

19:6 Hebrew Aram Naharaim

19:6 Spelled Zoba in

19:16 That is, the Euphrates

19:16 Spelled Shobach in

19:18 Or seven hundred (compare )

19:18 Or horsemen (compare )

1 Chronicles 20

20:1

20:1

20:1

20:2 ,

20:3 Septuagint reads cut them.

20:4

20:4

20:4 Spelled Saph in

20:5

20:5 Spelled Jaare-Oregim in

20:6

20:7 Spelled Shimeah in and Shammah in

1 Chronicles 21

21:1

21:2 ,

21:6

21:8

21:8

21:9

21:10

21:12

21:12 Or seven (compare )

21:12 Or Angel, and so elsewhere in this chapter

21:13 ; ,

21:14

21:15

21:15

21:15

21:15 Or He

21:15 Or Your

21:15 Spelled Araunah in

21:16

21:17

21:18

21:25

21:26

21:29

21:29

1 Chronicles 22

22:1

22:2 ,

22:2 ,

22:3

22:4

22:5 ,

22:7 ,

22:7 ,

22:8

22:9

22:9 , ;

22:9 Literally Peaceful

22:10 , ;

22:10 ;

22:11

22:12

22:13

22:13 [, , ]

22:14

22:16

22:17

22:18

22:19

22:19

1 Chronicles 23

23:1

23:3

23:4 ,

23:4

23:5

23:5

23:6

23:7

23:7 Spelled Libni in

23:10 Septuagint and Vulgate read Zizah (compare verse ).

23:12

23:13

23:13

23:13

23:13 []

23:13

23:14

23:15 ,

23:15 Hebrew Gershom (compare )

23:16

23:16 Spelled Shubael in

23:17

23:18

23:19

23:21

23:21

23:22

23:22

23:23

23:24 ,

23:24

23:25

23:26 , ;

23:27

23:29

23:29

23:29 ,

23:29 ,

23:29

23:31

23:31

23:32 ,

23:32 []

23:32 ,

1 Chronicles 24

24:1

24:2 ;

24:3

24:10

24:15 Septuagint and Vulgate read Aphses.

24:16 Masoretic Text reads Jehezkel.

24:19

24:20 Spelled Shebuel in

24:21

24:22 Spelled Shelomith in

24:23 ;

24:23 Supplied from (following some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint manuscripts)

24:23 Supplied from (following some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint manuscripts)

24:26

24:28

24:30

1 Chronicles 25

25:1 , , ,

25:2 Spelled Jesharelah in verse

25:3 ,

25:3 Spelled Jizri in verse

25:3 Shimei, appearing in one Hebrew and several Septuagint manuscripts, completes the total of six sons (compare verse ).

25:4 Spelled Azarel in verse

25:4 Spelled Shubael in verse

25:4 Spelled Jeremoth in verse

25:5

25:5 That is, to increase his power or influence

25:6

25:6 ;

25:7

25:8

25:11 Spelled Zeri in verse

25:14 Spelled Asharelah in verse

25:18 Spelled Uzziel in verse

25:20 Spelled Shebuel in verse

25:22 Spelled Jerimoth in verse

1 Chronicles 26

26:1

26:2