Bible in 90 Days
The Death of King Saul(A)
10 The Philistines ·fought against [attacked] Israel, and the Israelites ran away from them. Many Israelites ·were killed [were slaughtered; L fell dead] on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines ·fought hard against [hotly pursued; closed in on] Saul and his sons, killing his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua. 3 The fighting was ·heavy [fierce] around Saul, and the archers ·shot him with their arrows [L found him] and wounded him.
4 Then Saul said to ·the officer who carried his armor [his armor bearer], “·Pull out [Draw; Take] your sword and ·stab me [run me through]. If you don’t, these Philistines who are not circumcised will come and ·hurt [abuse] me.” But Saul’s ·officer [armor bearer] refused, because he was ·afraid [terrified]. So Saul took his own sword and ·threw himself [fell] on it. 5 When the officer saw that Saul was dead, he ·threw himself [fell] on his own sword and died. 6 So Saul and three of his sons died; all his ·family [L house] died together.
7 When the Israelites living in the valley saw that their army had ·run away [fled] and that Saul and his sons were dead, they ·left [abandoned] their towns and ·ran away [fled]. Then the Philistines came and ·settled in [occupied] them.
8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the dead soldiers, they found Saul and his sons ·dead [fallen] on Mount Gilboa. 9 The Philistines stripped Saul’s body and took his head and his armor. Then they sent messengers through ·all their country [the land of the Philistines] to tell the good news to their idols and to their people. 10 The Philistines put Saul’s armor in the ·temple [L house] of their ·idols [L gods] and hung his head in the ·temple [L house] of Dagon.
11 All the people in Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. 12 So the ·brave [valiant] men of Jabesh went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak tree in Jabesh [C evidently a major landmark]. Then the people of Jabesh fasted for seven days.
13 Saul died because he was not faithful to the Lord and ·did not obey [L acted unfaithfully against the word of] the Lord. He even went to a medium and asked her for ·advice [counsel] 14 instead of asking the Lord. This is why the Lord put Saul to death and ·gave [turned over] the kingdom to Jesse’s son David.
David Becomes King(B)
11 Then the people of Israel ·came to [gathered before; joined] David at the town of Hebron and said, “Look, we are your own ·family [L bone and flesh]. 2 In the past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel ·in battle [L out and brought it in]. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd for my people Israel. You will be their leader.’”
3 So all the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them in Hebron ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. Then they ·poured oil on [anointed] David to make him king over Israel. ·The Lord had promised through Samuel that this would happen [This was according to the word of the Lord through Samuel].
David Captures Jerusalem(C)
4 David and all the Israelites went to the city of Jerusalem. ·At that time Jerusalem was called [L …that is,] Jebus, and the people living there were named Jebusites. 5 They said to David, “You can’t ·get inside our city [L enter here].” But David ·did take the city of Jerusalem with its strong walls [L captured the stronghold/fortress of Zion], and it became the City of David.
6 David had said, “The person who ·leads the [or is the first to] ·attack against [kill one of] the Jebusites will become ·the commander over all my army [commander-in-chief].” Joab son of Zeruiah ·led the attack [went up first], so he became ·the commander of the army [chief].
7 Then David made his home in the ·strong, walled city [stronghold; fortress], which is why it ·was named [is called] the City of David. 8 David rebuilt the city, beginning ·where the land was filled in [with the terraces; L the Millo] and going to the ·wall that was around the city [surrounding area/walls]. Joab ·repaired [restored; rebuilt] the other parts of the city. 9 David became ·stronger and stronger [L greater and greater], and the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] was with him.
David’s Mighty Warriors(D)
10 ·This is a list of the leaders [These are the chiefs/heads] over David’s ·warriors [T mighty men] who ·helped make David’s kingdom strong [or strongly supported his kingdom]. All the people of Israel also supported David’s kingdom, ·just as the Lord had promised [L according to the word of the Lord].
11 This is a ·list [record; account; roll] of David’s ·warriors [T mighty men]:
Jashobeam was from the Hacmonite people. He was the head of the ·Three [or Thirty; or officers; C David’s most elite soldiers; 11:26–47; 2 Sam. 23:8–39]. He used his spear to fight three hundred men at one time, and he killed them all.
12 Next was Eleazar, one of the Three. Eleazar was Dodai’s son from the Ahohite people. 13 Eleazar was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines came there to fight. There was a field of barley at that place. The Israelites ·ran away [fled] from the Philistines, 14 but they ·stopped [took a stand; held their ground] in the middle of that field and ·fought for [defended] it and killed the Philistines. The Lord ·gave them [rescued/saved them with] a great victory.
15 Once, three of the Thirty, David’s chief soldiers, came down to him at the ·rock [cliff face] by the cave near Adullam. At the same time the Philistine army had camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
16 At that time David was in a stronghold, and ·some of the Philistines [a Philistine detachment/garrison] were in Bethlehem. 17 David had a ·strong desire [craving; longing] for some water. He said, “Oh, I wish someone would get me water from the well near the city gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine ·army [camp; lines] and took water from the well near the city gate in Bethlehem. Then they brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out ·before [as an offering to] the Lord, 19 saying, “·May God keep me from drinking [God forbid that I drink] this water! ·It would be like drinking [L Should I drink…?] the blood of the men who risked their lives to bring it to me!” So David refused to drink it.
These were the ·brave things [kind of things] that the three warriors did.
20 Abishai brother of Joab was the ·captain [leader; chief] of the Three. Abishai fought three hundred soldiers with his spear and killed them. He ·became as famous as [L had a name as did] the ·Three [or Thirty; or officers; v. 11] 21 and was more honored than the ·Three [or Thirty]. He became their commander even though he was not ·one of [or equal to] them.
22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave fighter from Kabzeel who did mighty things. He killed ·two of the best warriors [or the two sons of Ariel] from Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day. 23 Benaiah killed an Egyptian who was ·about seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] tall and had a spear ·as large as [L like] a weaver’s ·rod [beam]. Benaiah had a ·club [staff], but he ·grabbed [wrenched] the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 ·These [Such] were the things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did. He ·was as famous as [L had a name as well as] the Three. 25 He received more honor than the Thirty, but he did not become a member of the Three. David ·made [appointed] him ·leader [captain] of his bodyguards.
The Thirty Chief Soldiers
26 These were also mighty warriors:
Asahel brother of Joab;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
27 ·Shammoth [or Shammah; 2 Sam. 23:25] the Harorite;
Helez the ·Pelonite [or Paltite; 2 Sam. 23:26];
28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
Abiezer the Anathothite;
29 ·Sibbecai [or Mebunnai; 2 Sam. 23:27] the Hushathite;
·Ilai [or Zalmon; 2 Sam. 23:28] the Ahohite;
30 Maharai the Netophathite;
Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite;
31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin;
Benaiah the Pirathonite;
32 ·Hurai [or Hiddai; 2 Sam. 23:30] from the ·ravines [valleys; or brooks] of Gaash;
·Abiel [or Abi-Albon; 2 Sam. 23:31] the Arbathite;
33 Azmaveth the ·Baharumite [or Barhumite; 2 Sam. 23:31];
Eliahba the Shaalbonite;
34 the sons of ·Hashem [or Jashen; cf. 2 Sam. 23:32] the Gizonite;
Jonathan son of ·Shagee [or Shammah; 2 Sam. 23:33] the Hararite;
35 Ahiam son of ·Sacar [or Sharar; 2 Sam. 23:33] the Hararite;
·Eliphal son of Ur [or Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite; 2 Sam. 23:34];
36 Hepher the Mekerathite;
Ahijah the Pelonite;
37 ·Hezro [or Hezrai; 2 Sam. 23:35] the Carmelite;
Naarai son of Ezbai;
38 Joel brother of ·Nathan [or Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, 2 Sam. 23:36];
Mibhar son of Hagri;
39 Zelek the Ammonite;
Naharai the Berothite, the ·officer who carried the armor [armor bearer] for Joab son of Zeruiah;
40 Ira the Ithrite;
Gareb the Ithrite;
41 Uriah the Hittite;
Zabad son of Ahlai;
42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was the ·leader [chief] of the Reubenites, and his thirty soldiers;
43 Hanan son of Maacah;
Joshaphat the Mithnite;
44 Uzzia the Ashterathite;
Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite;
45 Jediael son of Shimri;
Joha, Jediael’s brother, the Tizite;
46 Eliel the Mahavite;
Jeribai and Joshaviah, Elnaam’s sons;
Ithmah the Moabite;
47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaites.
Warriors Join David
12 These were the men who came to David at Ziklag when David was ·hiding [banished; kept away] from Saul son of Kish. They were among the ·warriors [champions] who helped David in battle. 2 They ·came [were armed/equipped] with bows for weapons and could use either their right or left hands to shoot arrows or to sling rocks. They were Saul’s relatives from the tribe of Benjamin. 3 Ahiezer was their ·leader [chief], and there was Joash. (Ahiezer and Joash were sons of Shemaah, who was from the town of Gibeah.) There were also Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth. There were Beracah and Jehu from the town of Anathoth. 4 And there was Ishmaiah from the town of Gibeon; he was one of the Thirty. In fact, he was the leader of the Thirty. There were Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah. 5 There were Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, and Shemariah. There was Shephatiah from Haruph. 6 There were Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam from the ·family group of Korah [L Korahites]. 7 And there were Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham, from the town of Gedor.
8 Part of the people of Gad joined David at his stronghold in the ·desert [wilderness]. They were ·brave warriors [L mighty men of valor] trained for war and ·skilled [expert] with shields and spears. They ·were as fierce as [L had faces of] lions and as ·fast [swift; or nimble] as gazelles over the hills.
9 Ezer was the leader of Gad’s army, and Obadiah was second in command. Eliab was third, 10 Mishmannah was fourth, Jeremiah was fifth, 11 Attai was sixth, Eliel was seventh, 12 Johanan was eighth, Elzabad was ninth, 13 Jeremiah was tenth, and Macbannai was eleventh in command.
14 They were the ·commanders [leaders; captains] of the army from Gad. The least of these leaders ·was in charge of [or was a match for; could take on; L was equal to] a hundred soldiers, and the greatest ·was in charge of [or was a match for; could take on; L was equal to] a thousand. 15 They crossed the Jordan River and ·chased away [drove out; put to flight] the people living in the ·valleys [lowlands], to the east and to the west. This happened in the first month of the year when the Jordan ·floods the valley [was overflowing its banks].
16 ·Other people from the tribes [L Some of the sons] of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at his stronghold. 17 David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come peacefully to help me, ·I welcome you. Join me. […I am your friend; or we will make an alliance; L my heart will be united with you]. But if you have come to ·turn me over to my enemies [betray me to my adversaries], even though I have ·done nothing wrong [L no violence in my hands], the God of our ·ancestors [L fathers] will see this and ·punish you [L judge/decide].”
18 Then the Spirit ·entered [came upon; L clothed] Amasai, the ·leader [chief] of the Thirty, and he said:
“We ·belong to you [are yours], David.
We are with you, son of Jesse.
·Success, success [Peace and prosperity] to you.
·Success [Peace] to those who help you,
because your God helps you.”
So David ·welcomed [received] these men and made them ·leaders [captains] of his ·army [fighters; raiders].
19 Some of the men from Manasseh also ·joined [defected/deserted to] David when he went with the Philistines to fight Saul. But David and his men did not really help the Philistines. After ·talking about it [consultation], the Philistine leaders decided to send David away. They said, “If David ·goes [defects; deserts] back to his master Saul, ·we will be killed [L it will be our heads].” 20 These are the men from Manasseh who ·joined [defected/deserted to] David when he went to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each of them was a ·leader [captain; chief] of a thousand men from Manasseh. 21 All these men of Manasseh were ·brave soldiers [L mighty men of valor], and they helped David fight against ·groups of men who went around the country robbing people [raiding bands]. These soldiers became ·commanders [captains] in David’s army. 22 Every day more men ·joined [came to help] David, and his army became ·large [great], like the army of God.
Others Join David at Hebron
23 These are the numbers of the soldiers ·ready [armed] for battle who ·joined [came to] David at Hebron. They came to help turn the kingdom of Saul over to David, ·just as the Lord had said [L according to the word of the Lord].
24 There were sixty-eight hundred armed ·men from [L descendants/sons of] Judah, carrying shields and spears.
25 There were seventy-one hundred men from Simeon. They were ·warriors [L mighty men of valor] ready for war.
26 There were forty-six hundred ·men from [L descendants/sons of] Levi. 27 Jehoiada, a leader from Aaron’s family, was in that group. There were thirty-seven hundred with him. 28 Zadok was also in that group. He was a ·strong [brave] young warrior, and with him came twenty-two leaders from his ·family [L father’s house].
29 There were three thousand men from Benjamin, who were Saul’s ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers]. Most of them had ·remained loyal [kept their allegiance] to Saul’s ·family [L house] until then.
30 There were twenty thousand eight hundred ·men from [L sons of] Ephraim. They were brave warriors and were famous men in their ·own family groups [clans].
31 There were eighteen thousand men from ·West [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh. Each one was ·especially chosen [L designated by name] to make David king.
32 There were two hundred leaders from Issachar. They knew what Israel should do, and they ·knew the right time to do it [or understood the times]. Their ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] were with them and under their command.
33 There were fifty thousand men from Zebulun. They were ·trained [skilled] soldiers and ·knew how to use [equipped with] every kind of weapon of war. They followed David ·completely [with undivided loyalty/heart].
34 There were one thousand ·officers [commanders; captains] from Naphtali. They had thirty-seven thousand soldiers with them who carried shields and spears.
35 There were twenty-eight thousand six hundred men from Dan, who were ready for ·war [battle].
36 There were forty thousand trained soldiers from Asher, who were ready for ·war [battle].
37 There were one hundred twenty thousand soldiers from the east side of the Jordan River from the people of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh. They had every kind of weapon.
38 All these fighting men were ready to go to war. They came to Hebron ·fully agreed [determined; L with a complete/perfect heart] to make David king of all Israel. All the other Israelites also ·agreed [L were of one mind] to make David king. 39 They spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, because their ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] had prepared food for them. 40 Also, their neighbors came from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. They brought much flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, oil, ·cows [oxen; cattle], and sheep, because ·the people of Israel were very happy [there was great joy in Israel].
Bringing Back the Ark(E)
13 David ·talked with [consulted] all the officers of his army, the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a hundred men and the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a thousand men. 2 Then David ·called the people of Israel together and said [L said to the whole assembly of Israel], “If you ·think it is a good idea [approve], and if it is ·what the Lord our God wants [the will of/from the Lord our God], let’s send a message. Let’s tell our ·fellow Israelites [kinsmen; brothers] in all the ·areas [land] of Israel and the priests and Levites living with them in their towns and pastures to come and ·join [meet] us. 3 Let’s bring the Ark of our God back to us. We did not ·use it to ask God for help [inquire of it] while Saul was king.” 4 All the people agreed ·with David [to do so], because they all thought it was the right thing to do.
5 So David ·gathered [summoned; assembled] all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to ·Lebo [or The Entrance/Pass of] Hamath, to bring the Ark of God back from the town of Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah, which is Kiriath Jearim, to get the Ark of God the Lord. God’s throne is ·between [above; on] the ·golden, winged creatures on the Ark [L cherubim], and the Ark is called by his name.
7 The people carried the Ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, and Uzzah and Ahio guided it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating ·in the presence of [before] God. With all their ·strength [might] they were singing and playing lyres, harps, ·tambourines [timbrels], cymbals, and trumpets.
9 When David’s men came to the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to ·steady [hold] the Ark. 10 The ·Lord was angry with [L the Lord’s anger burned against] Uzzah and ·killed him [struck him dead], because he had touched the Ark. So Uzzah died there ·in the presence of [before] God.
11 David was angry because the ·Lord had punished Uzzah in his anger [Lord’s anger had L burst/broken out against Uzzah]. Now that place is called Perez-uzzah [C “the outburst against Uzzah”].
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I bring the Ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the Ark with him to the City of David [C Jerusalem]. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom who was from Gath. 14 The Ark of God stayed with Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] and everything he owned.
David’s Kingdom Grows(F)
14 Hiram king of the city of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar logs, bricklayers, and carpenters to build a ·palace [L house] for David. 2 Then David ·knew [understood; realized] that the Lord really had ·made [confirmed; established] him king of Israel and that he had made his kingdom ·great [highly exalted]. The Lord did this ·because he loved [for the sake of] his people Israel.
3 David ·married more women [took more wives] in Jerusalem and ·had [fathered] more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of David’s children born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been ·made [anointed] king of all Israel, they went ·to look [in full force to search] for him. But David heard about it and went out ·to fight [against] them. 9 The Philistines had ·attacked and robbed the people in [raided] the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David ·asked [inquired of; C perhaps by means of the Urim and Thummim; Ex. 28:30] God, “Should I go ·and attack [against] 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 the town of Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. David said, “Like a flood of water, God has used me to break through my enemies.” So that place was named Baal Perazim [C “Lord who bursts through”]. 12 The Philistines had ·left [abandoned] their idols there, so David ordered his men to burn them.
13 Soon the Philistines ·attacked the people in [raided] the valley again. 14 David ·prayed to [inquired of] God again [v. 10], and God answered him, saying, “Don’t attack the Philistines ·from the front [straight on; directly]. Instead, ·go [circle] around them and attack them ·in front of the balsam [or near the poplar] trees. 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the ·balsam [or poplar] trees, then attack. I, God, will have gone out before you to ·defeat [strike down] the Philistine army.” 16 David did as God commanded, and he and his men ·defeated [struck down] the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 So David became famous in ·all the countries [every land], and the Lord made all nations afraid of him.
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem(G)
15 David built ·houses [buildings] for himself in the City of David [C Jerusalem]. Then he prepared a place for the Ark of God, and he set up a tent for it. 2 David said, “Only the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The Lord chose them to carry the Ark of the Lord and to ·serve [minister to/for] him forever.”
3 David ·called [summoned; assembled] all the people of Israel to come to Jerusalem. He wanted to bring the Ark of the Lord to the place he had ·made [prepared] for it. 4 David called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites. 5 There were one hundred twenty ·people from [L sons of] Kohath’s ·family group [clan], with Uriel as their ·leader [chief]. 6 There were two hundred twenty ·people from [L sons of] Merari’s ·family group [clan], with Asaiah as their ·leader [chief]. 7 There were one hundred thirty ·people from [L sons of] ·Gershon’s [or Gersom’s; 6:1] ·family group [clan], with Joel as their ·leader [chief]. 8 There were two hundred ·people from [L sons of] Elizaphan’s ·family group [clan], with Shemaiah as their ·leader [chief]. 9 There were eighty ·people from [L sons of] Hebron’s ·family group [clan], with Eliel as their ·leader [chief]. 10 And there were one hundred twelve ·people from [L sons of] Uzziel’s ·family group [clan], with Amminadab as their ·leader [chief].
11 Then David ·asked [called for; summoned] the priests Zadok and Abiathar and these Levites to come to him: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 David said to them, “You are the leaders of the ·families [clans] of Levi. You and the other Levites must ·give yourselves for service [consecrate/purify/sanctify yourselves] to the Lord, so that you can bring up the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have ·made [prepared] for it. 13 The first time we did not ask the Lord ·how [the proper/lawful way] to carry it. You Levites didn’t carry it, so the Lord our God ·punished [L burst/broke out against] us.”
14 Then the priests and Levites ·prepared themselves for service to the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves] so they could ·carry [bring up] the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 The Levites used special poles to carry the Ark of God on their shoulders, as Moses had ·commanded [ordered; instructed], ·just as the Lord had said they should [L according to the word of the Lord].
16 David ·told [commanded; ordered] the ·leaders [chiefs] of the Levites to appoint their ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] as ·singers [musicians] to play their lyres, harps, and cymbals and to ·sing happy songs [play/sing joyfully].
17 So the Levites appointed Heman and his ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] Asaph and Ethan. Heman was Joel’s son. Asaph was Berekiah’s son. And Ethan, from the Merari ·family group [clan], was Kushaiah’s son. 18 There was also a second ·group [rank; C possibly assistants] of Levites: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They were the Levite ·guards [gatekeepers].
19 The ·singers [musicians] Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played ·the lyres [harps] according to alamoth [C possibly indicating to be sung by a soprano; Ps. 46:title]. 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah played the ·harps [lyres] according to ·sheminith [L eighth; C a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or perhaps to the manner of singing; Ps. 12:title; Ps. 16:title]. 22 The Levite leader Kenaniah was in charge of the singing, because he was ·very good at it [highly skilled; very knowledgeable].
23 Berekiah and Elkanah were two of the ·guards [gatekeepers] for the Ark. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer had the job of blowing trumpets ·in front of [before] the Ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also ·guards [gatekeepers] for the Ark.
25 David, the ·leaders [elders] of Israel, and the ·commanders [captains] of a thousand soldiers went to ·get [bring up] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They all went to bring the Ark from Obed-Edom’s house with great ·joy [celebration]. 26 Because God helped the Levites who carried the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams]. 27 All the Levites who carried the Ark, and Kenaniah, the man in charge of the singing, and all the singers wore robes of fine linen. David also wore a robe of fine linen and a ·holy vest of fine linen [L ephod; Ex. 28:6–14]. 28 So all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They shouted, blew horns and trumpets, and played cymbals, lyres, and harps.
29 As the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord entered the City of David [C Jerusalem], Saul’s daughter Michal watched from a window. When she saw King David ·dancing [leaping] and celebrating, she hated him in her heart.
16 They brought the Ark of God and put it ·inside [in the middle of] the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1] to God. 2 When David had finished ·giving [sacrificing; offering] the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1], he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 He gave a loaf of bread, some ·dates [or meat], and raisins to every Israelite man and woman.
The Ministry of the Levites(H)
4 Then David appointed some of the Levites to ·serve [minister] before the Ark of the Lord. They had the job of ·leading the worship [celebrating; extolling; invoking; offering prayers] and giving thanks and praising the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph, who played the cymbals, was the ·leader [chief]. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests who ·blew [played] the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] God. 7 That day David first ·gave [assigned; appointed] Asaph and his ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] ·the job of singing praises [this song of thanksgiving; vv. 8–22 correspond to Ps. 105:1–15] to the Lord.
David’s Song of Thanks
8 Give thanks to the Lord and ·pray to him [L call upon his name].
·Tell [Make known among; Proclaim to] the ·nations [world; peoples] ·what he has done [his deeds/accomplishments].
9 Sing to him; ·sing praises [make music] to him.
Tell about all his ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works].
10 ·Be glad that you are his [Glory/Exult/Take pride in his holy name];
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord ·be happy [rejoice].
11 ·Depend on [Search for] the Lord and his strength;
·always go to him for help [seek his presence/L face continually].
12 Remember the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he has ·done [performed],
his ·marvels [miracles; mighty acts], and his ·decisions [judgments he pronounced/L from his mouth].
13 You are the ·descendants [L seed] of his servant, Israel;
you are the ·children [L sons] of Jacob, his chosen ·people [L ones].
14 He is the Lord our God.
His ·laws [judgments; justice] are ·for [or in; throughout] all the ·world [earth; land].
15 ·He will keep [or Remember] his ·agreement [treaty; covenant] forever;
·he will keep his promises always [the commitment/promise/word he made/commanded for a thousand generations].
16 He will keep the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he made with Abraham
and the ·promise he made [oath/vow he swore] to Isaac.
17 He made it a law ·for the people of [to] Jacob;
he made it an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with Israel to last forever.
18 He said, “I will give the land of Canaan to you,
·to belong to you [as the portion you will inherit].”
19 Then God’s people were few in number, very few,
and they were strangers in the land.
20 They ·went [wandered] from one nation to another,
from one kingdom to another.
21 But he did not let anyone ·hurt [oppress] them;
he ·warned kings not to harm them [rebuked/admonished kings].
22 He said, “Don’t touch my ·chosen people [L anointed ones],
and don’t harm my prophets.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Every day ·tell [proclaim] ·how he saves us [his salvation].
24 ·Tell [Declare to] the nations about his glory [C his manifest presence];
tell all ·peoples [the nations] the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he does.
25 The Lord is great; ·he should be praised [most worthy of praise; T and greatly to be praised].
He should be ·respected more than [feared above] all gods.
26 All the gods of the ·nations [peoples] are only idols,
but the Lord made the ·skies [heavens].
27 ·He has glory and majesty [Splendor/Honor and majesty surround/L are before him];
·he has power and joy in [strength and joy are in/fill] his ·Temple [L place].
28 ·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; T Ascribe to] the Lord, all nations on earth.
·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; T Ascribe to] the Lord’s glory and ·power [strength];
29 ·praise [recognize; give what’s due to; T ascribe to] the glory of the Lord’s name.
Bring an offering and come ·to him [before him; into his presence].
Worship the Lord ·because he is holy [in his holy splendor].
30 Tremble before him, ·everyone on [all the] earth.
The earth is ·set [firmly established], and it cannot be moved.
31 Let the ·skies [heavens] rejoice and the earth be glad.
Let ·people [the nations] everywhere say, “The Lord ·is king [reigns]!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it ·shout [roar; thunder];
let the fields and everything in them ·rejoice [exult; celebrate; be jubilant].
33 Then the trees of the forest will ·sing [shout; cry out]
for joy before the Lord.
·They will sing because [For] he is coming to judge the ·world [earth].
34 Thank the Lord because he is good.
His ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever.
35 Say to him, “Save us, God ·our Savior [of our salvation],
and ·bring us back and save [gather and rescue] us from ·other [the] nations.
Then we will thank ·you [your holy name]
and ·will gladly praise you [glory in your praise].”
36 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel.
·He always was and always will be [… from everlasting to everlasting].
All the people said “Amen” and praised the Lord.
37 Then David left Asaph and ·the other Levites [his relatives/kinsmen/L brothers] there ·in front of [before] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] the Lord. They were to ·serve [minister] there ·every day [as each day’s work required]. 38 David also left Obed-Edom and sixty-eight ·other Levites [relatives; kinsmen; L brothers] to serve with them. Hosah and Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun were ·guards [gatekeepers].
39 David left Zadok the priest and ·the other priests who served with him in front of [his relatives/kinsmen/L brothers before] the ·Tent [Tabernacle] of the Lord at the ·place of worship [L high place] in Gibeon. 40 Every morning and evening they offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings, ·following [according to] ·the rules written in the Teachings [L everything written in the Law] of the Lord, which he had ·given [commanded] Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest chosen by name to ·sing praises [give thanks] to the Lord because his ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever. 42 Heman and Jeduthun ·also had the job of playing the [or had with them] trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments ·when songs were sung to God [for sacred songs]. Jeduthun’s sons guarded the gates.
43 Then all the people left for their homes, and David also went home to bless ·the people in his home [his household].
God’s Promise to David(I)
17 When David ·moved [had settled] into his ·palace [L house], he said to Nathan the prophet, “·Look [T Behold], I am living in a ·palace [L house] made of cedar, but the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord ·sits in [is under] a tent.”
2 Nathan said to David, “Do ·what you want to do [whatever you have in mind], because God is with you.”
3 But that night God spoke his word to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell David my servant, ‘·This is what the Lord says [T Thus says the Lord]: You are not the person to build a house for me to live in. 5 From the time I brought Israel ·out of [L up from] Egypt until now I have not lived in a house. I have moved from one tent site to another and ·from one place to another [or lived in a Tabernacle]. 6 As I have ·moved [walked] with the Israelites to different places, ·I have never [L have I ever…?] said to the ·leaders [L judges of Israel], whom I commanded to ·take care of [shepherd] my people, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?” ’
7 “Now, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: I took you from the pasture and from ·tending [following] the sheep and made you ·king [ruler; leader] of my people Israel. 8 I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I have ·defeated [destroyed; L cut off] your enemies for you. I will make you ·as famous as any of [L a name like the name of] the great people on the earth. 9 I will ·choose [provide; appoint] a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them so they can live in their own homes. They will not be ·bothered [disturbed; moved] anymore. ·Wicked [Evil] people will no longer ·hurt [oppress] them as they have in the past 10 ·when I chose [beginning when I appointed] judges for my people Israel. I will ·defeat [subdue] all your enemies.
“‘I tell you that the Lord will ·make your descendants kings of Israel after [L build a house for] you. 11 When ·you die [your days are over/T fulfilled] and join your ·ancestors [fathers], I will ·make [L raise up] one of your descendants—one of your sons [C Solomon]—the new king, and I will ·set up [establish; secure] his kingdom. 12 He will build a house [C the Temple] for me, and I will ·let his kingdom rule always [establish/secure his throne forever]. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son [2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7]. I took away my ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] from Saul, who ruled before you, but I will never ·stop loving your son [take it away from him]. 14 I will ·put him in charge of [confirm him in] my house and kingdom forever. His ·family [L throne] will ·rule [be established/secure] forever.’”
15 Nathan told David ·everything God had said in this vision [all the words revealed to him].
David Prays to God
16 Then King David went in and sat ·in front of [before] the Lord. David said, “Lord God, who am I? What is my ·family [L house] that you have brought me ·to this point [this far]? 17 But that was ·not enough for you [L a small thing in your eyes], God. You have ·also made promises about my future family [spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future]. Lord God, you have treated me like a ·very important [great; exalted] person.
18 “What more can ·I [L David] say to you for honoring me, your servant? You know me so well. 19 Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for ·my [L your servant’s] sake ·and because you wanted to [according to your will/heart]. You have done all these great things and made them known.
20 “There is ·no one [T none] like you, Lord. There is no God except you. ·We have heard all this ourselves […as all that we’ve heard with our own ears confirms]! 21 ·There is no nation [L And is there another nation…?] like your people Israel. ·They are the only people on earth that [L What other nation on earth did…?] God chose to be his own. You made ·your name well known [a name for yourself] by the great and ·wonderful [awesome; terrible] things you did for them. You went ahead of them and ·forced other [drove out] nations. You ·freed [redeemed] your people from slavery in Egypt. 22 You made the people of Israel your very own people forever, and, Lord, you ·are [became; have become] their God.
23 “Lord, ·keep the promise [L let the word be established/secure] forever that you ·made [spoke] about my ·family [L house] and me, your servant. Do what you have ·said [spoken]. 24 ·Then you will be honored always [May your name be established and honored/exalted/magnified forever], and people will say, ‘The Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the ·family [L house] of your servant David will ·continue [be established/secure] before you.
25 “My God, you have told me that you ·would make my family great [L build for your servant a house]. So I, your servant, ·am brave enough [have found courage] to pray to you. 26 Lord, you are God, and you have promised these good things to me, your servant. 27 ·You have chosen [It has pleased you] to bless my ·family [L house]. Let it continue before you always. Lord, you have blessed ·my family [L it], ·so it will [let it] ·always [forever] be blessed.”
David Defeats Nations(J)
18 Later, David defeated the Philistines, ·conquered [subdued] them, and took the city of Gath and the surrounding towns from the Philistines.
2 He also defeated the people of Moab. So the people of Moab became ·servants [subjects] of David and ·gave him the payment he demanded [paid tribute money].
3 David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah all the way to the town of Hamath as he ·tried to spread his kingdom to [extended his authority/rule to; or set up his boundary marker at; L extended his hand; C the Hebrew word can mean control or, less often, monument] the Euphrates River. 4 David captured one thousand of his chariots, seven thousand ·charioteers [horsemen], and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He ·crippled [hamstrung] all but a hundred of the chariot horses.
5 Arameans from Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David killed twenty-two thousand of them. 6 Then David put ·groups of soldiers [garrisons] in Damascus in Aram. The Arameans became David’s ·servants [subjects] and ·gave him the payments he demanded [brought him tribute]. So the Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
7 David took the shields of gold that had belonged to Hadadezer’s ·officers [guards; servants] and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 David also took many things made of bronze from Tebah and Cun, which had been cities under Hadadezer’s control. Later, Solomon used this bronze to make things for the ·Temple [L house]: the large bronze bowl, which was called the Sea [1 Kin. 7:23–26], the pillars [1 Kin. 7:15–22], and other bronze utensils.
9 ·Toi [Tou] king of Hamath heard that David had ·defeated all the [destroyed the entire] army of Hadadezer king of Zobah. 10 So Toi sent his son ·Hadoram [Joram, 2 Sam. 8:10] to greet and congratulate King David for defeating Hadadezer. (Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.) Hadoram brought items made of gold, silver, and bronze. 11 King David ·gave [dedicated] them to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from these nations: ·Edom [Aram, 2 Sam. 8:12, 14], Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt [C this victory is attributed to David in 2 Sam. 8:13]. 13 David put ·groups of soldiers [garrsions] in Edom, and all the Edomites became his ·servants [subjects]. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
David’s Important Officers
14 David ·was king [reigned] over all of Israel, and he did what was ·fair [just] and ·right [righteous] for all his people. 15 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the ·recorder [secretary; royal historian]. 16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests. ·Shavsha [or Seriah; 2 Sam. 8:17] was the royal ·secretary [scribe]. 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites [C foreign mercenaries who served as the king’s bodyguards]. And David’s sons were ·important officers who served [chief officials/assistants] at his side.
War with the Ammonites and Arameans(K)
19 When Nahash king of the Ammonites died, his son became king after him. 2 David said, “Nahash ·was loyal [showed kindness] to me, so I will ·be loyal [show kindness] to his son Hanun.” So David sent messengers to ·comfort [express sympathy to] Hanun about his father’s death.
David’s officers went to the land of the Ammonites to ·comfort [express sympathy to] Hanun. 3 But the Ammonite ·leaders [officials; commanders] said to Hanun, “Do you think David wants to honor your father by sending men to ·comfort you [express sympathy]? No! David sent them to ·study [search; explore] the land and ·capture [conquer; overthrow] it and spy it out.” 4 So Hanun ·arrested [seized] David’s officers. He shaved their beards and cut off their clothes at the ·hips [buttocks; C both intended to shame them]. Then he sent them away.
5 When the people told David what had happened to ·his officers [the men], he sent messengers to meet them, because they were ·very ashamed [greatly humiliated]. King David said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back. Then come home.”
6 ·The Ammonites knew that they had insulted [When the Ammonites realized they had become disgusting/L a stench to] David. So Hanun and the Ammonites sent ·about seventy-four thousand pounds [L one thousand talents] of silver to hire chariots and chariot drivers from ·northwest Mesopotamia [L Aram-naharaim], Aram Maacah, and Zobah. 7 The Ammonites hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his ·army [people]. So they came and set up camp near the town of Medeba. The Ammonites themselves ·came out of [assembled/mustered from] their towns and got ready for battle.
8 When David heard about this, he sent Joab with the ·whole army [entire army of warriors/mighty men]. 9 The Ammonites came out and ·prepared for battle [drew up in battle lines] at the city ·gate [entrance]. The kings who had come to help were out in the ·field [open country] by themselves.
10 Joab saw that there were enemies both in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the ·best [elite] soldiers of Israel and ·sent them out to fight [deployed/arrayed them against] the ·Arameans [or Ammonites, 2 Sam. 10:10]. 11 Joab put the rest of the army under the command of Abishai, his brother. ·Then they went out to fight the Ammonites [or …who was to attack the Ammonites; C possibly Joab attacked the Arameans and Abishai attacked the Ammonites]. 12 Joab said to Abishai, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, you must help me. Or, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you. 13 Be ·strong [brave; courageous]. We must fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what ·he thinks is right [L is good in his sight].”
14 Then Joab and the army with him went to attack the Arameans, and the Arameans ·ran away [fled before him]. 15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were ·running away [fleeing], they also ·ran away [fled] from Joab’s brother Abishai and ·went back [retreated] to their city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.
16 When the Arameans saw that Israel had defeated them, they sent messengers to bring other Arameans from ·east of the Euphrates [L beyond the] River. Their leader was ·Shophach [or Shobach; 2 Sam. 10:18], the commander of Hadadezer’s army.
17 When David heard about this, he ·gathered [mobilized; mustered] all the Israelites, and they crossed over the Jordan River. He ·prepared [positioned; deployed] them for battle, facing the Arameans. The Arameans fought with him, 18 but they ·ran away [fled] from the Israelites. David killed seven thousand [C seven hundred in 2 Sam. 10:18] Aramean chariot drivers and forty thousand Aramean foot soldiers. He also killed ·Shophach [or Shobach, 2 Sam. 10:18], the commander of the Aramean army.
19 When ·those who served [the subjects/vassals of] Hadadezer saw that the Israelites had defeated them, they made peace with David and ·served him [became his subjects]. So the Arameans ·refused [were unwilling] to help the Ammonites again.
Joab Destroys the Ammonites(L)
20 In the ·spring [L turning of the year], the time of year when kings normally went out to ·battle [war], Joab led out the army of Israel. But David stayed in Jerusalem. The army of Israel ·destroyed [ravaged; laid waste] the land of Ammon and went to the city of Rabbah and ·attacked it [lay siege to it; tore it down]. 2 David took the crown off the head of ·their king [or Milcom; C the god of the Ammonites], and had it placed on his own head. That gold crown weighed ·about seventy-five pounds [L one talent], and it ·had valuable gems in it [was set with precious stones]. And David took ·many valuable things [a great amount of plunder/spoil] from the city. 3 He also brought out the people of the city and forced them to work [C enslaved them] with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his army returned to Jerusalem.
Philistine Giants Are Killed(M)
4 Later, at Gezer [C Gob in 2 Sam. 21:18], war broke out with the Philistines. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed ·Sippai [or Saph; 2 Sam. 21:18], who was one of the descendants of the Rephaites. So those Philistines were ·defeated [subdued; subjugated].
5 Later, there was another battle with the Philistines. Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, who was from the town of Gath. His spear was as ·large [thick] as a weaver’s ·rod [beam; 2 Sam. 21:19].
6 At Gath another battle took place. A huge man was there; he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four fingers and toes in all. This man also was ·one of the sons of Rapha [or a descendant of the giants]. 7 When he ·spoke against [taunted; defied] Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8 These descendants ·of Rapha [from the giants] from Gath were killed by David and his ·men [warriors].
David Counts the Israelites(N)
21 ·Satan was against [or An adversary opposed] Israel, and he ·caused [incited] David to ·count [take a census of; C doing so implied trust in themselves rather than in God] the people of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and ·count [take a census of] all the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan [C the whole expanse of Israel from south to north]. Then tell me so I will know how many there are.”
3 But Joab said, “May the Lord give the ·nation [or army] a hundred times more people. My ·master [lord] the king, ·all the Israelites are [L are they not all…?] your servants. Why do you want to do this, my master? ·You will make Israel guilty of sin [Why should you bring guilt/judgment to Israel?].”
4 But the ·king commanded [king’s word/edict prevailed despite] Joab, so Joab left and went through all Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave the ·list [number] of the ·people [soldiers; warriors] to David. There were one million one hundred thousand men in all of Israel who could use the sword, and there were four hundred seventy thousand men in Judah who could use the sword. 6 But Joab did not count the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, because he ·didn’t like [was repulsed/disgusted/distressed by] King David’s order. 7 David had done something ·God had said was wrong [that displeased/offended God], so God ·punished [attacked; struck] Israel [C taking a census of the army indicated confidence in military strength].
8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by what I have done! Now, I beg you to ·forgive me, [take away the guilt/iniquity of] your servant, because I have been very foolish.”
9 The Lord said to Gad, who was David’s ·seer [prophet], 10 “Go and tell David, ‘·This is what the Lord says [T Thus says the Lord]: I offer you three ·choices [L things]. Choose one of them and I will ·do it [inflict it on you].’”
11 So Gad went to David and said to him, “·This is what the Lord says [T Thus says the Lord]: ‘·Choose for yourself [Take your choice:] 12 three years of ·hunger [famine]. Or choose three months of ·running from [being swept away by] your enemies as they ·chase [overtake] you with their swords. Or choose three days of ·punishment from [L the sword of] the Lord, in which a ·terrible disease [plague; pestilence] will spread through the ·country [land]. The angel of the Lord will go through Israel ·destroying [ravaging] the people.’ Now, David, decide ·which of these things [what answer] I should ·tell [give] the Lord who sent me.”
13 David said to Gad, “I am in ·great trouble [deep distress; a desperate situation]. Let ·the Lord punish me [L me fall into the hand of the Lord], because the Lord is very merciful. Don’t let ·my punishment come from [L me fall into the hand of] human beings.”
14 So the Lord sent a ·terrible disease [plague; pestilence] on Israel, and seventy thousand people died. 15 God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but when the angel ·started [was about/preparing] to destroy it, the Lord saw it and ·felt very sorry about the terrible things that had happened [L relented regarding the disaster/calamity]. So he said to the angel who was destroying, “That is enough! ·Put down your arm [L Withhold your hand]!” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; 2 Sam. 24:16] the Jebusite.
16 David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord ·in the sky [L standing between earth and heaven], with his drawn sword in this hand ·pointing toward [extended over] Jerusalem. Then David and the ·elders [leaders] bowed facedown on the ground. They were wearing ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap; C a sign of grief or repentance]. 17 David said to God, “·I am [L Am not I…?] the one who sinned and did wrong. I gave the order for the ·people to be counted [census]. ·These people only followed me like sheep. They did nothing wrong. [L These sheep—what have they done?] Lord my God, please ·punish [L let your hand fall on] me and my ·family [L father’s house], but ·stop the terrible disease that is killing [lift the plague from] your people.”
18 Then the angel of the Lord ·told [ordered; commanded] Gad to tell David that he should build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; 2 Sam. 24:16] the Jebusite. 19 So David ·did what Gad told him to do, [went up as Gad had spoken/instructed/commanded] in the name of the Lord.
20 ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; 2 Sam. 24:16] was ·separating the wheat from the straw [threshing wheat]. When he turned around, he saw the angel. Araunah’s four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21 David came to Araunah, and when Araunah saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed facedown on the ground before David.
22 David said to him, “·Sell me [Let me have] your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the Lord here. Then the ·terrible disease will stop [plague will be lifted from the people]. ·Sell it to me for the full price [I’ll pay top price; L Full silver].”
23 ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; v. 18] said to David, “Take this threshing floor. My master the king, do ·anything you want [L whatever is good in your eyes]. Look, I will also give you oxen for the whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17], the threshing ·boards [sledges; sleds] for the wood, and wheat for the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1]. I give everything to you.”
24 But King David answered Araunah, “No, I ·will pay [insist on paying] the full price for the land. I won’t take anything that is yours and give it to the Lord. I won’t offer a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] that costs me nothing.”
25 So David paid ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; v. 18] ·about fifteen pounds [L six hundred shekels] of gold for the place. 26 David built an altar to the Lord there [C the site of the future Temple; 2 Chr. 3:1] and offered whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1]. David ·prayed to [called on] the Lord, and he answered him by sending down fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. 27 Then the Lord commanded the angel to put his sword back into its ·holder [sheath].
28 When David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; v. 18], he offered sacrifices there. 29 The ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] that Moses made while the Israelites were in the ·desert [wilderness] and the altar of burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] were in Gibeon at the ·place of worship [L high place]. 30 But David could not go ·to the Holy Tent to speak with [before it to inquire of] God, because he was ·afraid [terrified] of the sword of the angel of the Lord.
22 David said, “The ·Temple [L house] of the Lord God and the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] will be here.”
David Makes Plans for the Temple
2 So David ordered all ·foreigners [sojourners; resident aliens] living in Israel to gather together. From that group David ·chose [appointed; assigned] stonecutters to cut stones to be used in building the ·Temple [L house] of God. 3 David supplied a large amount of iron to be used for making nails and ·hinges [clamps; braces; fittings] for the gate doors. He also supplied more bronze than could be weighed, 4 and he supplied more cedar logs than could be counted. ·Much of the [Great quantities of] cedar had been brought to David by the people from Sidon and Tyre.
5 David said, “We should build a ·great [exceedingly magnificent] ·Temple [L house] for the Lord, which will be famous everywhere for its ·greatness and beauty [splendor; gloriousness]. But my son Solomon is young and ·inexperienced [L tender], so I will make preparations for it.” So David got many of the materials ready before he died.
6 Then David called for his son Solomon and ·told [commanded; charged] him to build the ·Temple [L house] for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to him, “My son, I ·wanted [intended; planned; L had my heart set] to build a ·temple [L house] ·for worshiping [L to the name of] the Lord my God. 8 But the Lord spoke his word to me, ‘David, you have ·killed many people [shed much blood]. You have fought ·many [great] wars. You cannot build a ·temple [L house] ·for worship to me [to my name], because you have ·killed many people [shed so much blood on the earth in my sight; C he completed the conquest of Canaan]. 9 But, you will have a son, a man of ·peace [L rest]. I will give him rest from all his enemies around him. His name will be Solomon [C a name derived from shalom, “peace”], and I will give Israel peace and quiet ·while he is king [L in his days]. 10 Solomon will build a ·temple [L house] for ·worship to me [my name]. He will be my son, and I will be his father [2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7]. I will ·make his kingdom strong; someone from his family will rule [establish/secure his throne over] Israel forever.’”
11 David said, “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success. May you build a ·temple [L house] for the Lord your God, as he ·said [announced; promised] you would. 12 When he makes you the king of Israel, may the Lord give you ·wisdom [discretion] and understanding so you will be able to ·obey [keep; observe] the ·teachings [law; instructions] of the Lord your God. 13 Be careful to obey the ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and laws the Lord ·gave [commanded] Moses for Israel. If you obey them, you will ·have success [prosper]. Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed].
14 “Solomon, I have ·worked hard getting many of the materials [taken great pains to provide] for building the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. I have supplied ·about seven and one-half million pounds [L one hundred thousand talents] of gold, ·about seventy-five million pounds [L one million talents] of silver, so much bronze and iron it cannot be weighed, and wood and stone. You may add to them. 15 You have many workmen—stonecutters, ·bricklayers [stonemasons], carpenters, and ·people skilled [craftsmen; artisans] in every kind of work. 16 They are skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have more craftsmen than can be counted. ·Now begin the [Set to] work, and may the Lord be with you.”
17 Then David ·ordered [commanded] all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. 18 David said to them, “The Lord your God is with you. He has given you ·rest from our enemies [peace on every side; Deut. 12:2]. He has handed over to me the people living around us. The Lord and his people ·are in control of [have subdued] this land. 19 Now ·give yourselves completely to obeying [devote your heart/mind and soul to seeking] the Lord your God. Build the ·holy place [sanctuary] of the Lord God; build the ·Temple [L house] ·for worship to the Lord [to honor the Lord’s name]. Then bring the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord and the holy ·items [vessels; articles] that belong to God into the ·Temple [L house].”
The Levites
23 After David ·had lived long [L was full of years] and was old, he made his son Solomon the new king of Israel. 2 David gathered all the leaders of Israel, along with the priests and Levites. 3 He counted the Levites who were thirty years old and older, and they totaled thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand Levites will ·direct [oversee; supervise] the work of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, six thousand Levites will be ·officers [officials] and judges, 5 four thousand Levites will be gatekeepers, and four thousand Levites will praise the Lord with musical instruments I made for ·giving praise [worship].”
6 David separated the Levites into three groups that were led by Levi’s three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The People of Gershon
7 From the people of Gershon [6:1], there were Ladan and Shimei.
8 Ladan had three sons. His first son was Jehiel, and his other sons were Zetham and Joel.
9 Shimei’s sons were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. These three sons were leaders of Ladan’s ·families [clans]. 10 Shimei had four sons: Jahath, Ziza,[a] Jeush, and Beriah. 11 Jahath was the ·first son [eldest; chief; family leader], and Ziza was the second son. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many children, so they were counted as if they were one family, with one ·assignment [responsibility].
The People of Kohath
12 Kohath had four sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
13 Amram’s sons were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were ·chosen to be special [set apart] forever. They were chosen to ·prepare [dedicate; sanctify] the holy things, to ·offer sacrifices [burn incense] before the Lord, and to ·serve [minister to] him. They were to ·give [pronounce] blessings in his name forever.
14 Moses was the man of God, and his sons were counted as part of the tribe of Levi. 15 Moses’ sons were Gershom [Judg. 18:30] and Eliezer. 16 Gershom’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Shubael. 17 Eliezer’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Rehabiah. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many sons.
18 Izhar’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Shelomith.
19 Hebron’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Jeriah, his second was Amariah, his third was Jahaziel, and his fourth was Jekameam.
20 Uzziel’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Micah and his second was Isshiah.
The People of Merari
21 Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons were Eleazar and Kish. 22 Eleazar died without sons; he had only daughters. Eleazar’s daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish. 23 Mushi’s three sons were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
The Levites’ Work
24 These were Levi’s descendants listed by ·their families [clans]. They were the leaders of families. Each person who was twenty years old or older was ·listed [counted]. They served in the Lord’s ·Temple [L house].
25 David had said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given ·rest [peace] to his people. He ·has come to live [dwells] in Jerusalem forever. 26 So the Levites don’t need to carry the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] or any of the ·things [articles; objects] used in its services anymore.” 27 David’s ·last [final] instructions were to count the Levites who were twenty years old and older.
28 The Levites had the ·job [duty; office] of ·helping [assisting] Aaron’s descendants in the service of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. They cared for the ·Temple [L house] ·courtyard [courts] and side rooms, and they ·made all the holy things pure [ceremonially purified all holy/sacred things]. Their job was to serve in the ·Temple [L house] of God. 29 They were ·responsible for [in charge of] putting the ·holy bread [T showbread] on the table, for the choice flour in the grain offerings, for the ·bread made without yeast [unleaven bread/wafers], for the ·baking and mixing [or the round cakes], and for the measuring of quantity or size. 30 The Levites also stood every morning and gave thanks and praise to the Lord. They also did this every evening. 31 The Levites offered all the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord on the ·special days of rest [sabbaths], at the New Moon festivals [Num. 10:10; 29:6; 1 Sam. 20:5; 2 Kin. 4:23; Ezra 3:5; Ps. 81:3; Is. 1:13; Amos 8:5], and at all appointed feasts. They served before the Lord ·every day [continually]. They were to follow the rules for how many Levites should serve each time. 32 So the Levites ·took care [were in charge] of the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle] and the ·Holy Place [sanctuary]. And they helped their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, with the services at the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.
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