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The Captains of the Army

27 These were the sons of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. They were the leaders of thousands and of hundreds. These were the captains who worked for the king in anything to do with the armies which came in and went out every month of the year. There were 24,000 men in each army. Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was the leader of the first army for the first month. There were 24,000 in his army. He was a son of Perez, and head of all the captains of the army for the first month. Dodai the Ahohite was the leader of the army for the second month. Mikloth was the head captain. There were 24,000 in his army. The third leader of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the religious leader. There were 24,000 in his army. This is the Benaiah who was the strong man of the thirty, and leader of the thirty. Ammizabad his son was captain of his army. The fourth leader for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him. There were 24,000 in his army. The fifth leader for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 in his army. The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 in his army. 10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim. There were 24,000 in his army. 11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites. There were 24,000 in his army. 12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites. There were 24,000 in his army. 13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites. There were 24,000 in his army. 14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim. There were 24,000 in his army. 15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel. There were 24,000 in his army.

Leaders of Family Groups

16 The leaders of the family groups of Israel were: Eliezer the son of Zichri was the head captain of the Reubenites; Shephatiah the son of Maacah led the Simeonites. 17 Hashabiah the son of Kemuel led the sons of Levi; Zadok led the sons of Aaron. 18 Elihu, one of David’s brothers, led the sons of Judah; Omri the son of Michael led the sons of Issachar; 19 Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah led the sons of Zebulun; Jeremoth the son of Azriel led the sons of Naphtali; 20 Hoshea the son of Azaziah led the sons of Ephraim; Joel the son of Pedaiah led the half-family group of Manasseh; 21 Iddo the son of Zechariah led the half-family group of Manasseh in Gilead; Jaasiel the son of Abner led the sons of Benjamin; 22 And Azarel the son of Jeroham led the sons of Dan. These were the leaders of the families of Israel. 23 But David did not number those younger than twenty years old because the Lord had promised to make Israel many, as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to number them, but did not finish. Anger came upon Israel because of this. So the number was not put into the book of the chronicles of King David.

25 Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s store-houses. Jonathan the son of Uzziah was over the store-houses in the country, in the cities, in the towns, and in the towers. 26 Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who worked in the fields, plowing and planting. 27 Shimei the Ramathite was over the grape-fields. Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the fruit of the grape-fields for the wine. 28 Baalhanan the Gederite was over the olive and sycamore trees in the plains. Joash was captain of the stores of oil. 29 Shitrai the Sharonite was over the cattle which were eating in the fields of Sharon. Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the cattle in the valleys. 30 Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys. 31 And Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were over all that belonged to King David.

32 Jonathan, the brother of David’s father, used much wisdom talking with people. And he was a writer. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni taught the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel talked about problems with the king. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34 Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abaiathar, talked with the king after Ahithophel. And Joab was the captain of the king’s army.

Solomon to Build the House of God

28 David gathered together all the leaders of Israel. There were leaders of the family groups, and leaders of the armies that served the king. There were captains of thousands, and of hundreds. There were leaders who cared for all the things and animals belonging to the king and his sons. There were the leaders and all the powerful soldiers. Then King David stood up and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had wanted to build a house of rest for the special box with the Law of the Lord, a place for God to rest His feet, so I had made plans to build it. But God said to me, ‘You must not build a house for My name, because you are a man of war and blood.’ But the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be the king of Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be a leader. And in the house of Judah, my father’s house, and among my father’s sons, He was pleased to make me king of all Israel. The Lord has given me many sons. And of all my sons, He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the nation of the Lord over Israel. He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who will build My house and My open spaces. For I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father. I will make him king forever, if he is faithful to obey My Words and My Laws, as he is doing now.’ So now I say to you in front of all these people of Israel, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to do all the Law of the Lord your God. If you obey you will receive the good land and also leave it to your children after you forever.

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father. Serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord looks into all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you look to Him, He will let you find Him. But if you turn away from Him, He will turn away from you forever. 10 Listen now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a place of worship. Be strong, and do it.”

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plan of the porch of the Lord’s house, its buildings, and its store-houses. He gave him the plan of the rooms on its second floor, its inside rooms, and the room for the mercy-seat. 12 He gave him the plan of all he had in mind. It showed the open spaces of the Lord’s house, and all the rooms around them. It showed the store-houses of the house of God, and the store-houses of the holy things. 13 He gave him the plan for the way the religious leaders and the Levites were to be divided up for all the work of the Lord’s house. He told how all the objects were to be used in worship in the Lord’s house. 14 David gave the weight of all the gold objects to be used in each part of worship. He gave the weight for all the silver objects to be used in each part of the worship. 15 The plan gave the weight of gold for the gold lamp-stands and gold lamps. It gave the weight of each lamp-stand and its lamps. It gave the weight of silver for the silver lamp-stands. It gave the weight of each lamp-stand and its lamps, by the use of each lamp-stand. 16 It gave the weight of gold for each table of holy bread, and of silver for the silver tables. 17 It gave the weight of the meat-hooks, the pots and the cups of pure gold. It gave the weight for each of the gold and silver pots. 18 It gave the weight of the fine gold of the altar of special perfume, and of the gold wagon and of the cherubim that spread out their wings and covered the special box with the Law of the Lord. 19 David said, “This is in writing because His hand was upon me. He helped me to know all the plan.”

20 Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong. Have strength of heart, and do it. Do not be afraid or troubled, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not stop helping you. He will not leave you until all the work of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 See, the religious leaders and the Levites are divided up to do all the work of the house of God. Every willing man who is able to do a special work will help you in all that is to be done. The leaders and all the people will do what you say.”

Gifts for the Building of the House of God

29 Then King David said to all the people, “My son Solomon is the one God has chosen. He is still young and has not had much time to know what to do. It is a very big work because this beautiful house is not for man, but for the Lord God. I have given all that I have been able to give for the house of my God. I have given the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass. I have given the iron for the things of iron, and the wood for the things of wood. I have given stones of much worth, stones for setting, silver-white stones, and stones of different colors. I have given all kinds of stones of much worth, and many smooth, special white stones. The house of my God means much to me. I have much gold and silver and I give it to the house of my God, together with all I have already given for the holy house. I gave gold weighing as much as 3,000 men, of the gold of Ophir. I gave fine silver weighing as much as 7,000 men, to cover the walls of the house. I gave gold for the things of gold, and silver for the things of silver for all the work done by the able men. Now who is willing to give himself and be set apart today to the Lord?”

Then the rulers of the families gave because they wanted to. The leaders of the family groups of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and those who watched over the king’s work gave because they wanted to. For the work of the house of God, they gave gold weighing as much as 5,000 men, and 10,000 gold pieces. They gave silver weighing as much as 10,000 men. They gave brass weighing as much as 18,000 men, and iron weighing as much as 100,000 men. And whoever had stones of much worth gave them to the store-house of the house of the Lord, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people were filled with joy because they had been so willing to give. They gave their gift to the Lord with a whole heart. And King David was filled with great joy.

David’s Praise to God

10 So David praised the Lord in front of all the people. He said, “Honor and thanks be to You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 O Lord, You have great power, shining-greatness and strength. Yes, everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. You are the King, O Lord. And You are honored as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You. You rule over all. Power and strength are in Your hand. The power is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 So now, our God, we thank You. We praise Your great and honored name.

14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to give so much? For all things come from You. We have given You only what already belongs to You. 15 We are strangers before You. We are just staying here for a time, as all our fathers did. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and without hope. 16 O Lord our God, from Your hand are all these many things that we have given to build You a house for Your holy name. It all belongs to You. 17 O my God, I know that You test the heart and are pleased with what is right. I have given these things because I have wanted to with a clean heart. And now I have seen with joy how Your people who are here give gifts to You because they want to. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the thoughts of the hearts of Your people. Lead their hearts to You. 19 Give my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your Words and Your Laws and to obey them all. And so let him build the beautiful house I have planned and given for.”

20 Then David said to all the people, “Now praise the Lord your God.” And all the people gave praise to the Lord, the God of their fathers. They bowed low to the ground before the Lord and the king. 21 On the next day they killed animals and gave burnt gifts in worship to the Lord.

They gave 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, with their drink gifts. They gave many gifts in worship for all Israel. 22 So they ate and drank that day with great joy before the Lord.

They made David’s son Solomon king a second time. They poured oil on him to set him apart as ruler for the Lord. And they set Zadok apart as religious leader. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of his father David. Everything went well for him, and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the leaders and the powerful men and all the sons of King David promised to be faithful to King Solomon. 25 The Lord brought much honor to Solomon in the eyes of all Israel. He gave him greater power than any king before him in Israel.

26 So David the son of Jesse ruled over all Israel. 27 And he ruled over Israel for forty years. He ruled in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem thirty-three years. 28 Then he died as an old man. He had lived many years, had many riches and much honor. And his son Solomon ruled in his place. 29 The acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the books of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, the men of God. 30 They tell of all his rule, his power, and of the things which happened to him, to Israel, and to all the nations of the lands.

Army Divisions

27 This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam(A) son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai(B) the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah(C) son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel(D) the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth(E) the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira(F) the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez(G) the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai(H) the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer(I) the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai(J) the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah(K) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai(L) the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel.(M) There were 24,000 men in his division.

Leaders of the Tribes

16 The leaders of the tribes of Israel:

over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri;

over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;

17 over Levi: Hashabiah(N) son of Kemuel;

over Aaron: Zadok;(O)

18 over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David;

over Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah;

over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah;

over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

22 over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham.

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less,(P) because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars(Q) in the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering,(R) and the number was not entered in the book[a] of the annals of King David.

The King’s Overseers

25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig(S) trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.(T)

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite(U) was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophel(V) was the king’s counselor.

Hushai(W) the Arkite was the king’s confidant. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.(X)

Joab(Y) was the commander of the royal army.

David’s Plans for the Temple

28 David summoned(Z) all the officials(AA) of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the warriors and all the brave fighting men.

King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my fellow Israelites, my people. I had it in my heart(AB) to build a house as a place of rest(AC) for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool(AD) of our God, and I made plans to build it.(AE) But God said to me,(AF) ‘You are not to build a house for my Name,(AG) because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’(AH)

“Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me(AI) from my whole family(AJ) to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah(AK) as leader, and from the tribe of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.(AL) Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many(AM)—he has chosen my son Solomon(AN) to sit on the throne(AO) of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build(AP) my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son,(AQ) and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws,(AR) as is being done at this time.’

“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel(AS) and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands(AT) of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.(AU)

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion(AV) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart(AW) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,(AX) he will be found by you; but if you forsake(AY) him, he will reject(AZ) you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans(BA) for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit(BB) had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.(BC) 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions(BD) of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands(BE) and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table(BF) for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls(BG) and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense.(BH) He also gave him the plan for the chariot,(BI) that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow(BJ) the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details(BK) of the plan.(BL)

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous,(BM) and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake(BN) you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.(BO) 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled(BP) in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”

Gifts for Building the Temple

29 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced.(BQ) The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold(BR) for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise,[b](BS) stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.(BT) Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided(BU) for this holy temple: three thousand talents[c] of gold (gold of Ophir)(BV) and seven thousand talents[d] of refined silver,(BW) for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”

Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials(BX) in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.(BY) They(BZ) gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents[e] and ten thousand darics[f] of gold, ten thousand talents[g] of silver, eighteen thousand talents[h] of bronze and a hundred thousand talents[i] of iron. Anyone who had precious stones(CA) gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.(CB) The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly(CC) to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer

10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord,
    the God of our father Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power(CD)
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.(CE)
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.(CF)
12 Wealth and honor(CG) come from you;
    you are the ruler(CH) of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
    and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?(CI) Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.(CJ) 15 We are foreigners and strangers(CK) in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow,(CL) without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart(CM) and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.(CN) 18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion(CO) to keep your commands, statutes and decrees(CP) and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”(CQ)

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.

Solomon Acknowledged as King(CR)

21 The next day they made sacrifices to the Lord and presented burnt offerings to him:(CS) a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.(CT) 22 They ate and drank with great joy(CU) in the presence of the Lord that day.

Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the Lord to be ruler and Zadok(CV) to be priest. 23 So Solomon sat(CW) on the throne(CX) of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons,(CY) pledged their submission to King Solomon.

25 The Lord highly exalted(CZ) Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor(DA) such as no king over Israel ever had before.(DB)

The Death of David(DC)

26 David son of Jesse was king(DD) over all Israel.(DE) 27 He ruled over Israel forty years—seven in Hebron(DF) and thirty-three in Jerusalem.(DG) 28 He died(DH) at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.(DI)

29 As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer,(DJ) the records of Nathan(DK) the prophet and the records of Gad(DL) the seer, 30 together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:24 Septuagint; Hebrew number
  2. 1 Chronicles 29:2 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. 1 Chronicles 29:4 That is, about 110 tons or about 100 metric tons
  4. 1 Chronicles 29:4 That is, about 260 tons or about 235 metric tons
  5. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 190 tons or about 170 metric tons
  6. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 185 pounds or about 84 kilograms
  7. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 380 tons or about 340 metric tons
  8. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 675 tons or about 610 metric tons
  9. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 3,800 tons or about 3,400 metric tons