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1 Chronicles 14-16
New International Reader's Version
1 Chronicles 14-16
New International Reader's Version
David’s Palace and Family
14 Hiram was king of Tyre. He sent messengers to David. He sent cedar logs along with them. He also sent skilled workers to build a palace for David. They worked with stone and wood. 2 David knew that the Lord had made his position as king secure. He knew that the Lord had made him king over the whole nation of Israel. He knew that the Lord had greatly honored his kingdom. The Lord had done it because the Israelites were his people.
3 In Jerusalem David married more women. He also became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 Here is a list of the children born to him in Jerusalem. Their names were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
David Wins the Battle Over the Philistines
8 The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over the entire nation of Israel. So the whole Philistine army went to look for him. But David heard about it. He went out to where they were. 9 The Philistines had come and attacked the people in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 So David asked God for advice. David asked, “Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The Lord answered him, “Go. I will hand them over to you.”
11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim. There David won the battle over the Philistines. He said, “God has broken through against my enemies, just as water breaks through a dam.” That’s why the place was called Baal Perazim. 12 The Philistines had left statues of their gods there. So David gave orders to burn them up.
13 Once more the Philistines attacked the people in the valley. 14 So David asked God for advice again. God answered him, “Do not go straight after them. Instead, circle around them. Attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 Listen for the sound of marching in the tops of the trees. Then move out to fight. The sound will mean that I have gone out in front of you. I will strike down the Philistine army.” 16 So David did just as God had commanded him. He and his men struck down the Philistine army. They struck them down from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.
17 So David became famous in every land. The Lord made all the nations afraid of him.
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
15 David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David. Then he prepared a place for the ark of God. He set up a tent for it. 2 He said, “Only Levites can carry the ark of God. That’s because the Lord chose them to carry his ark. He chose them to serve him forever in front of the place where his throne is.”
3 David gathered the whole community of Israel together in Jerusalem. He wanted to carry up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it.
4 He called together the members of the family line of Aaron. He also called the Levites together. Here are the men who came from the families of the Levites.
5 From the families of Kohath
came the leader Uriel and 120 relatives.
6 From the families of Merari
came the leader Asaiah and 220 relatives.
7 From the families of Gershon
came the leader Joel and 130 relatives.
8 From the families of Elizaphan
came the leader Shemaiah and 200 relatives.
9 From the families of Hebron
came the leader Eliel and 80 relatives.
10 From the families of Uzziel
came the leader Amminadab and 112 relatives.
11 David sent for Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. He also sent for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab. They were Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the leaders of the families of Levi. You and the other Levites must set yourselves apart to serve the Lord and his people. You must carry up the ark of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. Put the ark in the place I’ve prepared for it. 13 Remember when the anger of the Lord our God broke out against us? That’s because it wasn’t you Levites who tried to carry up the ark the first time. We didn’t ask the Lord how to do it in the way the law requires.” 14 So the priests and Levites set themselves apart. Then they carried up the ark of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. 15 This time the Levites used the poles to carry on their shoulders the ark of God. That’s what Moses had commanded in keeping with the word of the Lord.
16 David told the Levite leaders to appoint other Levites as musicians. He wanted them to make a joyful sound with lyres, harps and cymbals.
17 So the Levites appointed Heman, the son of Joel. From his relatives they chose Asaph, the son of Berekiah. Other relatives were from the family of Merari. From them they chose Ethan, the son of Kushaiah. 18 Along with them they chose their relatives who were next in rank. Their names were Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They guarded the gates.
19 Heman, Asaph and Ethan played the bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah played the lyres according to alamoth. 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah played the harps according to sheminith. 22 Kenaniah was the leader of the Levites. He was in charge of the singing because he was good at it.
23 Berekiah and Elkanah guarded the ark. 24 Some of the priests blew trumpets in front of the ark of God. Their names were Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer. Obed-Edom and Jehiah also helped guard the ark.
25 David and the elders of Israel went to carry up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So did the commanders of military groups of 1,000 men. With great joy they carried up the ark from the house of Obed-Edom. 26 God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. 27 David was wearing a robe made out of fine linen. So were all the Levites who were carrying the ark. And so were the musicians and the choir director Kenaniah. David was also wearing a sacred linen apron. 28 So the whole community of Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They shouted. They blew rams’ horns and trumpets. They played cymbals, lyres and harps.
29 The ark of the covenant of the Lord was brought into the City of David. Saul’s daughter Michal was watching from a window. She saw King David dancing and celebrating. That made her hate him in her heart.
Serving God in Front of the Ark
16 The ark of God was carried into Jerusalem. It was put in the tent David had set up for it. The priests brought burnt offerings and friendship offerings to God. 2 After David finished sacrificing those offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 He gave to each Israelite man and woman a loaf of bread. He also gave each one a date cake and a raisin cake.
4 He appointed some of the Levites to serve in front of the ark of the Lord. David wanted them to give honor, thanks and praise to the Lord. He is the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the leader of those Levites. Zechariah was next in rank. Then came Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. Asaph played the cymbals. 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel, the priests, blew the trumpets. They blew them at regular times in front of the ark of the covenant of God.
7 That day was the first time David appointed Asaph and his helpers. He appointed them to give praise to the Lord with these words.
8 Give praise to the Lord. Make his name known.
Tell the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him. Sing praise to him.
Tell about all the wonderful things he has done.
10 Honor him, because his name is holy.
Let the hearts of those who trust in the Lord be glad.
11 Look to the Lord and to his strength.
Always look to him.
12 Remember the wonderful things he has done.
Remember his miracles and how he judged our enemies.
13 Remember, you his servants, the children of Israel.
Remember, you people of Jacob. Remember, you who are chosen by God.
14 He is the Lord our God.
He judges the whole earth.
15 He will keep his covenant forever.
He will keep his promise for all time to come.
16 He will keep the covenant he made with Abraham.
He will keep the promise he made to Isaac.
17 He made it stand as a law for Jacob.
He made it stand as a covenant for Israel. It will last forever.
18 He said, “I will give you the land of Canaan.
It will belong to you.”
19 At first there weren’t very many of God’s people.
There were only a few. And they were strangers in the land.
20 They wandered from nation to nation.
They wandered from one kingdom to another.
21 But God didn’t allow anyone to treat them badly.
To keep them safe, he gave a command to kings.
22 He said to them, “Do not touch my anointed ones.
Do not harm my prophets.”
23 All you people of the earth, sing to the Lord.
Day after day tell about how he saves us.
24 Tell the nations about his glory.
Tell all people about the wonderful things he has done.
25 The Lord is great. He is really worthy of praise.
People should have respect for him as the greatest God of all.
26 All the gods of the nations are like their statues.
They can’t do anything.
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Glory and majesty are all around him.
Strength and joy are in the place where he lives.
28 Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise the Lord for his glory and strength.
29 Praise the Lord for the glory that belongs to him.
Bring an offering and come to him.
Worship the Lord because of his beauty and holiness.
30 All you people of the earth, tremble when you are with him.
The world is firmly set in place. It can’t be moved.
31 Let the heavens be filled with joy. Let the earth be glad.
Let them say among the nations, “The Lord rules!”
32 Let the ocean and everything in it roar.
Let the fields and everything in them be glad.
33 Let the trees in the forest sing with joy.
They will sing before the Lord.
He will judge the people of the world.
34 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love continues forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior.
Save us. Bring us back from among the nations.
Then we will give thanks to you, because your name is holy.
We will celebrate by praising you.”
36 Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel,
for ever and ever.
Then all the people said, “Amen!” They also said, “Praise the Lord.”
37 David left Asaph and his helpers to serve in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They served there at regular times. They did it as they were required to do each day. 38 David also left Obed-Edom and his 68 helpers to serve with them. Obed-Edom and Hosah guarded the gates. Obed-Edom was the son of Jeduthun.
39 David left Zadok the priest and some other priests in front of the holy tent of the Lord. It was at the high place in Gibeon. 40 David left them there to sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar every morning and evening. They did it according to everything written in the Law of the Lord. That’s the Law he had given to Israel. 41 Heman and Jeduthun were with the priests. So were the rest of those who had been chosen by name and appointed to serve. They had been chosen to give thanks to the Lord, “because his faithful love continues forever.” 42 It was the duty of Heman and Jeduthun to blow the trumpets. They also had the duty of playing the cymbals and other instruments for the sacred songs. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at one of the gates.
43 All the people left. Everyone went home. And David returned home to bless his family.
1 Chronicles 14-16
New International Version
1 Chronicles 14-16
New International Version
David’s House and Family(A)
14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.
3 In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(D) and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him there:(E) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines(F)
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(G) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(H) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”
11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(I) and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(J) them in the fire.(K)
13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(L) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(M) to Gezer.(N)
17 So David’s fame(O) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(P) him.
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(Q)
15 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared(R) a place for the ark of God and pitched(S) a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites(T) may carry(U) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister(V) before him forever.”
3 David assembled all Israel(W) in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. 4 He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:(X)
5 From the descendants of Kohath,
Uriel(Y) the leader and 120 relatives;
6 from the descendants of Merari,
Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;
7 from the descendants of Gershon,[c]
Joel the leader and 130 relatives;
8 from the descendants of Elizaphan,(Z)
Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;
9 from the descendants of Hebron,(AA)
Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;
10 from the descendants of Uzziel,
Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.
11 Then David summoned Zadok(AB) and Abiathar(AC) the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate(AD) yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites,(AE) did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us.(AF) We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.(AG)” 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded(AH) in accordance with the word of the Lord.(AI)
16 David(AJ) told the leaders of the Levites(AK) to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians(AL) to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.(AM)
17 So the Levites appointed Heman(AN) son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph(AO) son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites,(AP) Ethan son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah,[d] Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom(AQ) and Jeiel,[e] the gatekeepers.
19 The musicians Heman,(AR) Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel,[f] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth,[g] 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith.[h] 22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
23 Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets(AS) before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.
25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark(AT) of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams(AU) were sacrificed. 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.(AV) 28 So all Israel(AW) brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts,(AX) with the sounding of rams’ horns(AY) and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.
29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
Ministering Before the Ark(AZ)(BA)(BB)
16 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched(BC) for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. 2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed(BD) the people in the name of the Lord. 3 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins(BE) to each Israelite man and woman.
4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister(BF) before the ark of the Lord, to extol,[i] thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel,[j] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise(BG) to the Lord in this manner:
8 Give praise(BH) to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations(BI) what he has done.
9 Sing to him, sing praise(BJ) to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;(BK)
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek(BL) his face always.
12 Remember(BM) the wonders(BN) he has done,
his miracles,(BO) and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments(BP) are in all the earth.
15 He remembers[k](BQ) his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant(BR) he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob(BS) as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan(BT)
as the portion you will inherit.”
19 When they were but few in number,(BU)
few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[l] wandered(BV) from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:(BW)
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets(BX) no harm.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory(BY) among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(BZ)
he is to be feared(CA) above all gods.(CB)
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.(CC)
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.(CD)
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;(CE)
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[m] holiness.(CF)
30 Tremble(CG) before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.(CH)
31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;(CI)
let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!(CJ)”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;(CK)
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees(CL) of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge(CM) the earth.
34 Give thanks(CN) to the Lord, for he is good;(CO)
his love endures forever.(CP)
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;(CQ)
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(CR)
from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.(CS) 38 He also left Obed-Edom(CT) and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah,(CU) were gatekeepers.
39 David left Zadok(CV) the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon(CW) 40 to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law(CX) of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman(CY) and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song.(CZ) The sons of Jeduthun(DA) were stationed at the gate.
43 Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.
Footnotes
- 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
- 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
- 1 Chronicles 15:7 Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon
- 1 Chronicles 15:18 Three Hebrew manuscripts and most Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 20 and 16:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Zechariah son and or Zechariah, Ben and
- 1 Chronicles 15:18 Hebrew; Septuagint (see also verse 21) Jeiel and Azaziah
- 1 Chronicles 15:20 See verse 18; Hebrew Aziel, a variant of Jaaziel.
- 1 Chronicles 15:20 Probably a musical term
- 1 Chronicles 15:21 Probably a musical term
- 1 Chronicles 16:4 Or petition; or invoke
- 1 Chronicles 16:5 See 15:18,20; Hebrew Jeiel, possibly another name for Jaaziel.
- 1 Chronicles 16:15 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Psalm 105:8); Hebrew Remember
- 1 Chronicles 16:20 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint and Vulgate (see also Psalm 105:12); most Hebrew manuscripts inherit, / 19 though you are but few in number, / few indeed, and strangers in it.” / 20 They
- 1 Chronicles 16:29 Or Lord with the splendor of
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