Bible in 90 Days
The Priestly Divisions
24 With respect to the descendants of Aaron, classes of service were organized for Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, the descendants of Aaron. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, leaving no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar became priests. 3 Along with Zadok, one of Eleazar’s descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar’s descendants, David organized their service according to their assigned responsibilities.
4 More leaders were located among Eleazar’s descendants than among those of Ithamar, so sixteen leaders were appointed from the leaders of the ancestral households of Eleazar’s descendants and eight from those of Ithamar. 5 They were chosen by impartial lottery, since there were trustees[a] of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s descendants and among Ithamar’s descendants. 6 Nethanel’s son Shemaiah, a Levitical scribe, made an official record of them for the king, the officers, Zadok the priest, Abiathar’s son Ahimelech, and the heads of ancestral households of both the priests and the descendants of Levi. One ancestral house was chosen for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7 The first lottery was chosen in favor of Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, 8 third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim, 9 the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin, 10 the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah, 11 the ninth for Jeshua, the tenth for Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh for Eliashib, the twelfth for Jakim, 13 the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth for Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer, 15 the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth for Pethahiah, the twentieth for Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first for Jachin, the twenty-second for Gamul, 18 the twenty-third for Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth for Maaziah. 19 These were appointed to enter the Temple of the Lord according to their protocols established by their ancestor Aaron, as commanded by the Lord God of Israel.
Other Levitical Divisions
20 Now with respect to the descendants of Levi there remained Shubael from the descendants of Amram and Jehdeiah from the descendants of Shubael; 21 with respect to Rehabiah, Isshiah their chief from the descendants Rehabiah; 22 with respect to the Izharites, Shelomoth, Jahath from the descendants of Shelomoth; 23 with respect to the descendants of Hebron, Jeriah their chief, Amariah their second in rank, Jahaziel their third, and Jekameam their fourth; 24 with respect to the descendants of Uzziel, Micah; with respect to the descendants of Micah, Shamir; 25 with respect to Micah’s brother Isshiah; with respect to the descendants of Isshiah, Zechariah; 26 with respect to Merari’s sons, Mahli and Mushi; with respect to the sons of Jaaziah, Beno; 27 with respect to the sons of Merari, Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri; 28 with respect to Mahli, Eleazar, who had no sons; 29 with respect to Kish, Jerahmeel, one of the descendants of Kish; 30 and with respect to the descendants of Mushi, Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral households. 31 These individuals also cast lots corresponding to their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, in the presence of King David, Zadok, and Ahimelech, and in the presence of the heads of the ancestral households of the priests and of the descendants of Levi, and the eldest was treated as impartially as was the younger brother.
The Musicians
25 Along with officers in his army, David consecrated to assist in service to the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun those who prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals.
The list of those who participated in this service included: 2 from the descendants of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph mentored by[b] Asaph himself, who prophesied under the supervision[c] of the king; 3 from Jeduthun, these six of his descendants: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, mentored by their father Jeduthun, who played a lyre and prophesied, giving thanks and praise to the Lord; 4 from Heman, these descendants: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All of these were descendants of Heman the king’s seer, according to God’s promise to exalt him, since God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under their father’s supervision regarding music in the Temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the Temple of God.
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under command of the king. 7 They and their relatives who had been skillfully trained in singing to the Lord, numbered 288. 8 Their duties, whether significant or insignificant, whether performed by teacher or pupil alike, were assigned by lottery.
9 Asaph’s first lottery was cast in favor of Joseph; the second went to Gedaliah, that is, to him, to his relatives, and his sons, for a total of twelve;[d] 10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve; 31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his relatives, for a total of twelve.
The Korahite Trustees
26 The guild[e] of trustees[f] included, from the descendants of Korah, Kore’s son Meshelemiah from Asaph’s descendants; 2 Meshelemiah’s sons Zechariah, his firstborn, Jediael his second, Zebadiah his third, Jathniel his fourth, 3 Elam his fifth, Jehohanan his sixth, and Eliehoenai his seventh; 4 Obed-edom’s sons Shemaiah, his firstborn, Jehozabad his second, Joah his third, Sachar his fourth, Nethanel his fifth, 5 Ammiel his sixth, Issachar his seventh, and Peullethai his eighth, since God had blessed him.
6 Furthermore, his son Shemaiah had sons born to him who wielded authority in their ancestral households, since they were mighty men of valor. 7 These sons of Shemaiah included[g] Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant, able men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8 All of these sons of Obed-edom, along with their sons and brothers, were valiant men, fully qualified for duty—62 descendants[h] of Obed-edom. 9 Meshelemiah had 18 sons and brothers who were valiant men. 10 Hosah, one of Merari’s sons, had these[i] sons: Shimri their chief (though not the firstborn, his father had appointed him chief), 11 Hilkiah his second, Tebaliah his third, and Zechariah his fourth, with a total of 13 sons and brothers of Hosah.
12 With respect to their leaders, these courses of trustees had responsibilities, along with their relatives, regarding ministry within the Temple of the Lord 13 assigned by lottery according to their ancestral households, whether large or small alike, for their gate assignments. 14 The lot for the eastern gate[j] fell to Shelemiah. They also cast lots for his son Zechariah, who was a wise counselor, and his lot indicated the northern gate.[k] 15 Obed-edom’s lot indicated the south gate,[l] and his sons were also allotted responsibility for the storehouse. 16 For Shuppim and Hosah the lot indicated the west at the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending road.
Each guard corresponding to each guard, 17 on the east six descendants of Levi were assigned[m] for each day, on the north four for each day, on the south four for each day (as well as two pairs of guards assigned[n] to the storehouse), 18 and for the colonnade on the west four were assigned at the road and two at the colonnade. 19 These were the ranks of trustees assigned among the descendants of Korah and the sons of Merari.
Oversight of the Treasuries
20 Now with respect to the descendants of Levi, Ahijah was responsible for the treasuries of the Temple of God, including the treasuries containing dedicated gifts. 21 With respect to the descendants of Ladan, the Gershonite descendants pertaining to Ladan, the heads of families pertaining to Ladan the Gershonite, there was Jehieli. 22 The descendants of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were responsible for the treasuries of the Temple of the Lord.
23 From the descendants of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel were assigned 24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom and a descendant of Moses (as chief officer[o] in charge of the treasuries) 25 and his brothers from Eliezer, including his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth.
26 Shelomoth and his brothers were responsible for all of the treasuries of dedicated gifts given by King David, by the heads of families, by the officers of groups of thousands and groups of hundreds, and by the leading army officers. 27 They dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the Temple of the Lord from spoils of war. 28 Furthermore, everything that Samuel the seer, Kish’s son Saul, Ner’s son Abner, and Zeruiah’s son Joab had dedicated—all of their dedicated gifts—were under the care of Shelomoth and his brothers.
29 From the descendants of Izhar, Chenaniah and his sons were assigned as officers and judges with responsibilities relating to external duties. 30 From the descendants of Hebron, Hashabiah and his relatives—1,700 outstanding men—were assigned oversight of Israel west of the Jordan regarding all of the Lord’s work and services on behalf of the king.
31 From the descendants of Hebron, Jerijah was assigned chief of the descendants of Hebron. During the fortieth year of David’s administration, a search was made by genealogical record, family by family, to find men of great ability, including those found at Jazer in Gilead. 32 King David appointed Jerijah,[p] his relatives, and 2,700 competent men who were each family heads, to oversee the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh regarding everything pertaining to God as well as matters relating to the king.
Military Divisions
27 The Israelis, according to the number of the leaders of their families, the officers of groups of thousands and groups of hundreds, and their leaders who served the king on behalf of the army divisions of 24,000 soldiers on duty month by month throughout the year, consisted of the following.
2 Zabdiel’s son Jashobeam was responsible[q] for the first division of 24,000 soldiers[r] for the first month. 3 A descendant of Perez, he was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month.
4 Dodai the Ahohite was responsible for the division of the second month. Mikloth served as chief officer[s] of his division, consisting of 24,000 soldiers.
5 Jehoiada’s son Benaiah the priest was commander of the third division for the third month, consisting of 24,000 soldiers. 6 This was the same Benaiah who was one of the elite men of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was responsible for his division.
7 Joab’s brother Asahel was fourth for the fourth month, assisted[t] by his son Zebadiah, with 24,000 soldiers in his division.
8 The fifth commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000 soldiers.
9 Ikkesh’s son Ira from Tekoa was sixth for the sixth month; there were 24,000 soldiers in his division.
10 Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite, was seventh for the seventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
11 Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite, was eighth for the eighth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
12 Abiezer from Anathoth, a descendant of Benjamin, was ninth for the ninth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
13 Mahari from Netophah, a Zerahite, was tenth for the tenth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
14 Benaiah from Pirathon, an Ephraimite, was eleventh for the eleventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
15 Heldai the Netophathite, from Othniel, was twelfth for the twelfth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division.
Tribal Leaders
16 Wielding the scepters of Israel for the descendants of Reuben, there was[u] Zichri’s son Eliezer as chief officer;[v] for the descendants of Simeon there was Maacah’s son Shephatiah; 17 for Levi there was Kemuel’s son Hashabiah; for Aaron there was Zadok; 18 for Judah there was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar there was Michael’s son Omri; 19 for Zebulun there was Obadiah’s son Ishmaiah; for Naphtali, there was Azriel’s son Jerimoth; 20 for the descendants of Ephraim, there was Azaziah’s son Hoshea; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, there was Pedaiah’s son Joel; 21 for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, there was Zechariah’s son Iddo; for Benjamin, there was Abner’s son Jaasiel; 22 for Dan, there was Jeroham’s son Azarel. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23 David did not complete a census of those younger than 20 years of age, since the Lord had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven. 24 Zeruiah’s son Joab began the census, but never completed it. Nevertheless, God became angry with Israel because of this, so the number was never entered into the official records of the Annals of King David.[w]
Civic Leaders
25 Adiel’s son Azmaveth was responsible for the king’s treasuries. Uzziah’s son Jonathan was in charge of treasuries located in the country, in cities, in villages, and in towers. 26 Chelub’s son Ezri supervised the field workers who tilled the soil. 27 Shimei the Ramathite supervised the vineyards. In charge over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Baal-hanan the Gederite supervised the olive and sycamore[x] trees in the Shephelah.[y] Joash supervised the oil reserves. 29 Shitrai the Sharonite supervised the herds that were pastured in Sharon. Adlai’s son Shaphat supervised the herds in the valleys. 30 Obil the Ishmaelite supervised the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite supervised the donkeys. Jaziz the Hagrite supervised the flocks. 31 All of these served as stewards over King David’s property.
32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor, since he was a man of understanding and a scribe, and Hachmoni’s son Jehiel was an attendant to the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel served as an advisor to the king, Hushai the Archite was the king’s trusted associate, 34 and under Ahithophel there was Benaiah’s son Jehoiada and Abiathar. Joab served as commander of the king’s army.
David Addresses Israel
28 David gathered together all of the leaders of Israel, the leaders of the tribes, division officers who reported to the king, the commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, the supervisors of the property and livestock that belonged to the king and to his sons, along with all of the officers of the palace, the elite forces, and all of the soldiers.
2 King David rose to his feet and said, “My fellow citizens,[z] may I have your attention. I intended to build a house of rest for the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, for a footstool of our God, so I began preparations for its construction. 3 But then God told me, ‘You will not build a temple to my name, because you are a man of war, and you have committed bloodshed.’[aa] 4 Nevertheless, the Lord God of Israel chose me from my entire ancestral household to be king over Israel forever, since he had chosen Judah as Commander-in-Chief.[ab] In my ancestor Judah’s household, from my father’s household, and from among my father’s sons it pleased him to make me king over all of Israel.
5 “Now out of all of my sons (since the Lord has given me many of them), he has selected my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord, ruling[ac] over Israel. 6 He told me,
‘I chose your son Solomon to be the one who will construct my Temple and my courts, because I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever, assuming he remains strongly committed to carry out my commandments and ordinances, as he is doing today.’
8 Therefore, in the presence[ad] of all of Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and while our God is listening, observe and search through all of the commandments of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land, leaving it for an inheritance forever to benefit your descendants who come after you.”
David Addresses Solomon Directly
9 “Now as for you, my son Solomon, get to know the God of your father. Serve him with a sound heart and a devoted soul, because the Lord is searching every heart, every plan and thought. He will be found by you, assuming you are seeking him, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you forever. 10 So keep watching, because the Lord has chosen you to build the Temple of his sanctuary. So be strong, and get to work!”
David Transfers Plans and Materials to Solomon
11 At this point in his address,[ae] David transferred to his son Solomon the construction plans for the Hall of Justice,[af] its buildings, its treasure vaults, its upper rooms, its inner chambers, the housing for the Mercy Seat, 12 and the plans for everything else that he had in mind for the courtyards of the Temple of the Lord. Included were plans for[ag] all of the surrounding vaults and treasuries of the Temple of God intended for storage of[ah] dedicated gifts, 13 for use by the ranks of priests and descendants of Levi, for all the work of service responsibilities in the Temple of the Lord, and for all of the utensils used in the work of the Temple of the Lord. 14 David also transferred to him[ai] by weight the gold that was to be used to craft the[aj] service utensils, the silver that was to be used to craft the[ak] service utensils, 15 the gold for the golden lamp stands and their lamps, the silver for a lamp stand and its lamps (each according to its intended use in the service), 16 the gold by weight for each table of the rows of bread, the silver for the silver tables, 17 pure gold for the forks, the basins, the cups, the golden bowls (along with enough gold by weight for each one), enough weight for each of the silver bowls, 18 refined gold for the altar of incense, by weight, along with his plans for crafting[al] the golden chariot for the cherubim that spread out their wings to cover the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.
David Continues His Address
19 “All of these things the Lord made clear to me in writing at his direction—the construction plans for all of the building.”
20 David continued with these words for his son Solomon: “Be strong and courageous, and get to work. Never be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor will he abandon you right up to your completion of the work for the service of the Temple of the Lord. 21 Now look! Here are the ranks of the priests and the descendants of Levi for the entire service of the Temple of God, and in all of the work there will be all types of volunteers who have skills for anything needed for the services. Furthermore, the officers and all of the people will be at your complete command.”
Offerings for the Temple
29 Then King David addressed the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God alone has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great, since this structure will be a citadel to the Lord God and not for human beings. 2 To the extent that I have been able to do so, I have provided supplies for the Temple of my God, including gold for what is to be made of gold, silver for what is to be made of silver, bronze for what is to be made of bronze, iron for what is to be made of iron, wood for what is to be made of wood, and great quantities of onyx, precious stones, antimony, colored stones, all types of other semi-precious stones, and plenty of marble.
3 “In addition to everything that I have supplied for the Temple, it pleases me to provide my own treasure of gold and silver, so because of my love for the Temple of my God I hereby give to the Temple of my God the following: 4 3,000 gold talents[am] imported from Ophir,[an] 7,000 talents[ao] of refined silver for gilding the walls of the Temple 5 and for all the work to be undertaken by skilled artists, gold for what is to be made of gold, and silver for what is to be made of silver. Who then, will be dedicating the productivity[ap] of his own work[aq] to the Lord today?”
6 So the leaders of the ancestral households presented their voluntary offerings, as did the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s business. 7 They presented 5,000 gold talents[ar] and 10,000 gold darics[as] for the work of the Temple of God, 10,000 silver talents[at], 18,000 bronze talents,[au] and 100,000 iron talents.[av] 8 Whoever owned precious stones gave them to the treasury of the Temple of the Lord, in care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given voluntarily, since with a devoted heart they had freely given to the Lord.
David’s Praise to God
King David also rejoiced greatly. 10 Then David blessed the Lord in the presence of the entire assembly. David said,
How blessed you are, Lord,
the God of our ancestor Israel,
from eternity to eternity!
11 To you, Lord, belongs the greatness, and the valor,
and the splendor, and the endurance, and the majesty
because all that is in heaven
and on earth is yours.
To you belongs the kingdom, Lord,
and you are exalted as head over all.
12 Both wealth and honor proceed from you,
and you are ruling over them all.
You control[aw] power—
you control who is made great,
and how everyone becomes strong.
13 And so, our God, we are giving you thanks,
and we are praising your wonderful name!
14 But who am I,
and who are my people,
that we make such voluntary offerings as these?
For all things come from you,
and from your own hand we are giving to you.
15 For we are aliens and vagrants in your presence,
as were all of our ancestors.
Our days on the earth pass away like shadows,
and we have no hope.
16 Lord our God, all of this abundance that we have given
for building a temple for your great name
was provided by you[ax]
and all of it belongs to you.
17 And I know, God,
that it is you who searches the heart
and you who finds pleasure in righteousness.
With a righteous heart I have freely given all these things,
and now I have seen all of these people of yours
giving freely and joyfully to you!
18 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors,
keep your purposes and thoughts
constantly in the hearts of your people
and direct their hearts toward you,
19 granting to my son Solomon to keep with a devoted heart
your commands, your decrees, and your statutes,
carrying out all of them,
and that he may build the Temple
for which I have made the preparations.
20 Then David told the entire assembly, “Bless the Lord your God, please.” So the entire assembly blessed the Lord God of their ancestors, bowing their heads and falling in the Lord’s presence and before the king. 21 The next day, they offered sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord amounting to[ay] 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, along with their libations. Sacrifices were abundant throughout all Israel, 22 and they ate and drank in the Lord’s presence with great joy.
Solomon is Anointed King(A)
They crowned David’s son Solomon king a second time and anointed him to serve[az] as Commander-in-Chief[ba] to the Lord and Zadok to serve[bb] as priest. 23 So Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king in the place of[bc] his father David. He prospered, and all of Israel obeyed[bd] him. 24 All of the officials, all of the valiant soldiers, and all of King David’s sons submitted to King Solomon’s control, 25 and the Lord exalted Solomon magnificently in the sight of all Israel, bestowing upon him royal majesty such as had not been given to any king in Israel before him.
Summary of the Reign of King David
26 Jesse’s son David reigned as king over all of Israel, 27 serving as king over Israel for 40 years. He reigned for seven years in Hebron and for 33 in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a good old age, having lived a full life, replete with riches and honor, and with his son Solomon reigning in his place. 29 The activities of David the king are recorded in the History of Samuel the Seer,[be] in the History of Nathan the Prophet,[bf] and in the History of Gad the Seer,[bg] 30 including details regarding[bh] his reign, his power, the circumstances that attended his life, Israel, and all of the kingdoms of the countries that surrounded him.[bi]
The Beginnings of Solomon’s Administration(B)
1 As David’s son Solomon consolidated[bj] his administration,[bk] the Lord his God was with him to make him very successful.[bl] 2 Solomon addressed the entire nation of Israel, including the commanders of thousands and hundreds, the judges, all the other leaders of Israel, and all of the heads of the ancestral houses of Israel.
3 Solomon, along with the whole assembly with him, met at the high place in Gibeon because that’s where God’s Tent of Meeting that the Lord’s servant Moses had constructed in the wilderness was located. 4 Nevertheless, David had brought the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, after having erected a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 Also, the bronze altar that Uri’s son Bezalel, Hur’s grandson, had erected, was in place in front of the Lord’s tent. Solomon and the assembly sought the Lord[bm] there. 6 Solomon approached the presence of the Lord at the bronze altar that had been placed at the Tent of Meeting and offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it.
Solomon Asks God for Wisdom
7 That very night God appeared to Solomon and told him, “Ask what I am to give you.”
8 Solomon replied to God, “You showed great gracious love to my father David, and have established me as king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, your promise to my father David is fulfilled, because you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom now, so I may go in and out among[bn] this people, because who can rule this great people that belongs to you?
11 God told Solomon, “Since you had this in mind,[bo] to ask neither to focus on riches, wealth, honor, or the lives of those who hate you, nor have you requested a long life, but instead you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may rule my people over whom I have established you as king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. Furthermore, I will give you riches, wealth, and honor—such as none of the kings owned who lived before you and none after you are to ever attain their equal.”
Solomon’s Wealth(C)
13 So Solomon returned from the Tent of Meeting at the high place in Gibeon to Jerusalem, where he reigned over Israel. 14 Solomon amassed both chariots and horsemen: he owned 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, stationing them in armories[bp] and with the king in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and made cedar[bq] trees as plentiful as sycamore[br] trees that grow in the Shephelah.[bs] 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s procurement officials obtained them from Kue at great[bt] price. 17 Chariots were imported from Egypt for 600 shekels[bu] each, and horses cost 150 shekels[bv] each, and then they exported them to all of the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.
Solomon Enlists King Hiram’s Help to Build the Temple(D)
2 [bw]Now Solomon was determined[bx] to build a temple dedicated to the Name of the Lord as well as his own royal palace. 2 [by]So Solomon conscripted 70,000 men to do heavy work, 80,000 men to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to supervise them. 3 Solomon also sent this message to King Hiram[bz] of Tyre:
“Just as you did with my father David, sending him cedars to build him a palace to live in, do the same for me. 4 Look, I’m building a temple dedicated to the name of the Lord my God, to his glory, so we can burn fragrant incense in his presence, display rows of the bread of his presence continuously, and make burnt offerings in the morning, evening, on Sabbath days,[ca] during New Moon festivals,[cb] and during appointed festivals scheduled[cc] by the Lord our God. This is mandated forever in Israel.
5 “The Temple that I’m building will be great, because the greatness of our God surpasses that of[cd] all gods. 6 But who can build a temple for him, since neither heaven nor the highest of the heavens can contain him? So who am I, that I should build a temple to him, except to burn incense in his presence?
7 “At any rate, send me an individual who is a skilled craftsman in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as in purple, crimson, and blue[ce] materials,[cf] who knows how to craft engravings, so he may work with the craftsmen whom I have assembled in Judah and Jerusalem, as provided for by my father David. 8 Also send me cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, since I’m aware that your servants know how to cut down timber from Lebanon. My servants will accompany your servants 9 to prepare an abundant amount of timber for me, because the Temple that I’m building is to be great and awesome.
10 “Now look! I will pay your servants, the lumberjacks who prepare the timber, 20,000 measures[cg] of barley, 20,000 baths[ch] of wine, and 20,000 baths[ci] of oil.”
Solomon’s Wealth
11 In a letter that he sent to Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre wrote,[cj] “Because he loves his people, the Lord has placed you as king over them.” 12 Hiram also wrote:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth. He gave King David a wise son, who is acquainted with discretion and understanding, and who is building a temple to the Lord, as well as a royal palace for himself.
13 Now I’m sending along Hiram-abi,[ck] a skilled craftsman, who is very creative.[cl] 14 He is the son of a mother from the tribe of Dan, and his father is from Tyre. He’s skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and timber, as well as in purple, blue,[cm] linen, and crimson materials.[cn] He is skilled in engravings, and can craft any design to which he may be assigned. He will work with your skilled artisans and with all of your craftsmen who have been assigned by my lord David, your father.
15 “So then, may my lord send to his servants the wheat, barley, oil, and wine about which he has spoken. 16 We’ll cut down the timber you need from Lebanon and transport it to you on rafts by sea to Joppa, so you can move it to Jerusalem.”
17 Solomon took a census of all the non-Israeli men[co] who lived in the land of Israel, after the census that his father David had taken, and 153,600 were counted. 18 He conscripted 70,000 of them to do heavy work, 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 men to supervise the people.
Temple Construction(E)
3 So Solomon began construction of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah where the Lord[cp] had appeared to his father David, that is, where David had prepared Ornan the Jebusite’s threshing floor. 2 He began construction on the second day[cq] of the second month of the fourth year of his reign.
Dimensions of the Temple
3 These are the foundations that Solomon set in place for God’s Temple. The length in terms of the former standard measurements: 60 cubits;[cr] its width: 20 cubits.[cs] 4 A portico extended in front of the Temple for its entire width of 20 cubits,[ct] and was[cu] 120 cubits[cv] high. Inside he had it overlaid with pure gold. 5 The main room of the Temple was trimmed with a wainscoting composed of cypress wood, overlaid with fine gold ornamented with palm trees and chains. 6 The Temple was adorned with precious stones, including gold from the Orient.[cw] 7 The Temple was overlaid with gold, including the beams, thresholds, walls, and doors. Cherubim were engraved on the walls. 8 With respect to the Most Holy Place in the Temple, its length across the width of the Temple was 20 cubits,[cx] and its width extended 20 cubits.[cy]
Materials of the Temple
Solomon[cz] overlaid it with 600 talents[da] of pure gold. 9 The gold nails weighed 50 shekels.[db] He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold. 10 He crafted two cherubim from wood, overlaid them with gold, and placed them in the Most Holy Place in the Temple. 11 The wingspan of the cherubim was 20 cubits;[dc] the wing of one, five cubits[dd] long, touched the wall of the Temple, and its other wing, five cubits[de] long, touched the wing of the other cherub. 12 The wing of the other cherub, five cubits[df] long, touched the opposite[dg] wall of the Temple and its other wing, five cubits[dh] long, touched the wing of the first[di] cherub. 13 The wings of these cherubim extended for 20 cubits[dj] as they stood on their feet and faced the front of[dk] the Temple. 14 He constructed the veil from blue,[dl] purple, crimson, and fine linen, embroidering cherubim on it. 15 He also made two pillars 35 cubits[dm] high for the front of the Temple, topped by a capital that was five cubits[dn] high. 16 He crafted chains for the inner sanctuary and placed them on top of the pillars, attaching 100 pomegranates to each of the chains. 17 He set up the pillars at the front of the Temple, one on the south side of the entrance[do] and the other on the north side of the entrance.[dp] He named the south pillar Jachin[dq] and the north pillar Boaz.[dr]
Furnishing the Temple(F)
4 Solomon[ds] also constructed a bronze[dt] altar 20 cubits[du] long, 20 cubits[dv] wide, and ten cubits[dw] high. 2 He crafted a circular sea of cast metal 10 cubits[dx] from rim to rim and five cubits[dy] tall. A line 30 cubits[dz] long surrounded it. 3 Underneath, figurines resembling oxen[ea] encircled the circular sea[eb] beneath it, ten oxen[ec] every cubit,[ed] and encircling the sea completely. The oxen were in two rows, cast all at the same time. 4 The sea stood on top of twelve oxen, three of which faced to the north, three of which faced to the west, three of which faced to the south, and three of which faced toward the east. The sea was placed on top of the oxen, with all of their hindquarters turned inwards. 5 It was a handbreadth[ee] thick, with its brim fashioned like the brim of a cup. Similar in shape to a lily blossom, it could hold 3,000 baths.[ef] 6 Solomon[eg] also made ten wash basins, placing five on the right side and five on the left. The basins were intended for use to rinse burnt offerings, and the sea was intended for use by the priests to wash in.
7 Solomon[eh] made ten gold lamp stands as he had been directed and set them in the Temple, five on the south side and five on the north side. 8 He also made ten tables and placed them in the Temple, five on the right side and five on the left side. He also constructed 100 gold basins. 9 He made the court of the priests, the great court, and doors for the court, overlaying their doors with bronze. 10 He set the sea at the southeast corner of the Temple.
11 Hiram-abi[ei] crafted the pots, shovels, and basins, thus completing the work that he did for King Solomon on the Temple of God; 12 that is, the two pillars, the bowls, the two capitals on top of the pillars, the two lattice works that covered the two bowls for the capitals that were on top of the pillars; 13 the 400 pomegranate-shaped ornaments for the latticework of the two pillars (each latticework having two rows of ornaments at the bowl-shaped top of each pillar); 14 the ten[ej] stands with their ten basins; 15 the large bronze basin called the Sea with the twelve oxen underneath, 16 along with its pots, shovels, forks, and all of its other implements that Hiram-abi made from polished bronze for King Solomon and the Lord’s Temple. 17 The king had them forged in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah in the Jordan plain. 18 Solomon made so many utensils in such great quantities that the weight of the bronze was never fully recorded.
19 Solomon also made these items for God’s Temple: the golden altar, the tables for the Bread of the Presence, 20 the lamp stands and their lamps made of pure gold to burn in front[ek] of the inner sanctuary, as required, 21 the pure gold ornaments in the shape of flowers, the lamps, and the tongs (all made of the purest gold), 22 the gold trimming instruments, basins, pans, censers, and the gold door sockets for the inner sanctuary (that is, the Most Holy Place), and for the doors to the main hall of the Temple.
The Ark is Placed in the Temple(G)
5 As soon as Solomon had completed the Lord’s Temple, he installed the holy items that had belonged to his father David, including the silver, gold, and all the other items in the treasure rooms of God’s Temple. 2 Then Solomon called Israel’s elders together, including all the leaders of the tribes and families of Israel. They met in Jerusalem to transfer the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Zion, the City of David. 3 All the men of Israel assembled in front of the king during the Festival of Tents[el] that takes place in the seventh month[em] of the year.[en]
4 As soon as all of Israel’s elders had arrived, the descendants of Levi lifted the ark 5 and carried it, the tent where God met with his people,[eo] and all of the sacred implements that belonged in the tent. The Levitical priests carried these up to the City of David.[ep] 6 King Solomon and all the Israelis who had assembled together proceeded ahead of the ark and sacrificed more sheep and oxen than could be counted or recorded due to the number of sacrifices.[eq]
7 The priests transported the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to the place created for it within the inner sanctuary of the Temple, into the Most Holy Place under the wings of the cherubim. 8 The wings of the cherubim extended over where the ark and its carrying poles[er] had been placed, 9 but the poles were long enough for their ends to extend to the front of the inner sanctuary, even though they could not be seen from outside. They remain there to this day. 10 There was nothing in the ark except for the two tablets that Moses had placed there while Israel was encamped[es] at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelis after he had brought them out of the land of Egypt.
11 After this, the priests vacated the Holy Place. (Meanwhile, all the priests who were participating consecrated themselves, irrespective of their Levitical divisions. 12 All the musicians who were descendants of Levi, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives wore linen and played cymbals and stringed instruments as they stood east of the altar. Accompanied by 120 priests who played trumpets, 13 the trumpeters and musicians played in union, praising and giving thanks to the Lord. They praised the Lord loudly and sang, “He is good, and his gracious love is eternal,” accompanied by the trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments.) As they did this,[et] a cloud filled the Temple, that is, the Lord’s Temple, 14 and the priests were unable to complete their duties because of the cloud, since the glory of the Lord had filled God’s Temple.
Solomon Dedicates the Temple(H)
6 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he lives shrouded in darkness. 2 Now I have constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to you that will serve as a place for you to inhabit forever.”
3 Then the king turned to face the entire congregation of Israel while the congregation of Israel remained standing. 4 Then Solomon[eu] prayed:
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who made a commitment[ev] to my father David and then personally[ew] fulfilled what he had promised when he said:[ex]
5 ‘From the day I brought out my people from the land of Egypt I never chose a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple where my name might reside. And I never chose any man to become Commander-in-Chief[ey] over my people Israel. 6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, where my name will reside. And I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’
7 “My father David wanted to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 8 The Lord told my father David:
‘Therefore, since you determined[ez] to build a temple for my name, you acted well, because it was your choice[fa] to do so. 9 Nevertheless, you are not to build the Temple, but your son who will be born[fb] to you is to build a temple for my name.’
10 “The Lord has brought to fulfillment[fc] what he promised, and now here I stand,[fd] having succeeded my father David to sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built the Temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 11 I have placed in it the ark in which the covenant that the Lord made with the Israelis is stored.”
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(I)
12 Then Solomon[fe] took his place in front of the Lord’s altar in the presence of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had a bronze platform constructed five cubits[ff] square and three cubits[fg] high. He had it erected in the middle of the courtyard, and stood on it. Then he knelt down on his knees in front of the entire congregation of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, 14 and said:
“Lord God of Israel, there is no one like you, God of heaven and earth, who watches over[fh] his covenant, showing gracious love to your servants who live their lives in your presence[fi] with all their hearts. 15 It is you, Lord God,[fj] who has kept your promise to my father, your servant David, that you made to him. Indeed, you made a commitment[fk] to my father David and then personally fulfilled[fl] what you had promised today.
16 “Now therefore, Lord God of Israel, keep your promise that you made[fm] to my father, your servant David, when you said, ‘You are to not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel,[fn] if only your descendants will watch their lives,[fo] to live according to my Law, just as you have lived[fp] in my presence.’[fq]
17 “Now therefore, Lord God of Israel, may your promise that you made[fr] to your servant David be fulfilled… 18 and yet, will God truly reside on earth with human beings? Look! Neither the sky nor the highest heaven can contain you! How much less this Temple that I have built! 19 Pay attention to the prayer of your servant and to his request, Lord my God, and listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 20 Let your eyes always look toward this Temple day and night, toward the location where you have said you would place your name. Listen to the prayer that your servant prays in this direction.[fs] 21 Listen to the requests from your servant and from your people Israel as they pray in this direction,[ft] and listen from the place where you reside—from heaven!—then hear and forgive.
22 “If a man sins against his neighbor and he is required to take an oath, and he then comes to take an oath in front of your altar in this Temple, 23 then listen from heaven, act, and judge your servants, recompensing the wicked by bringing back to him the consequences of his choices[fu] and by justifying the righteous by recompensing him according to his righteousness.
24 “If your people Israel are defeated in a battle with[fv] their enemy because they have sinned against you, when they return to you[fw] and confess to you,[fx] pray, and in this Temple they ask you to show grace to them, 25 then hear from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and return them to the soil[fy] that you gave to them and to their ancestors.
26 “When the skies remain closed, and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and they pray in the direction of this place, confessing your name and turning from their sin when you afflict them,[fz] 27 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel. Indeed, teach them the best way to live and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as an inheritance.
28 “If a famine comes to the land, or if there comes plant diseases, mildew, locusts, or grasshoppers,[ga] or if their enemies attack them in their settlements of the land, no matter what the epidemic or illness is, 29 whatever prayer or request is made, no matter whether it’s made by a single man or by all of your people Israel, each praying out of his own illness and anguish and stretching out their hands toward this Temple, 30 then hear from heaven, the place where you reside, and forgive, repaying each person according to all of his ways, since you know their hearts—for you alone know the hearts of human beings— 31 so they will fear you and live life[gb] your way as long as they live in the land that you have given to our ancestors.
32 “Now concerning the foreigner who is not from your people Israel, when he comes from a land far away for the sake of your great name, your mighty acts,[gc] and your obvious power,[gd] when they come and pray in the direction of this Temple, 33 then hear from heaven where you reside, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the people of the earth may know your name, fear you as do your people Israel, and so they may know that this Temple that I have built is called by your name.
34 “When your people go out to war against their enemies, no matter what way you send them, and they pray to you in the direction of this city that you have chosen and in the direction of the Temple that I have built for your name, 35 then hear their prayer and their request from heaven, and fight for their cause.
36 “When they sin against you—because there isn’t a single human being who doesn’t sin—and you become angry with them and deliver them over to their enemy, who takes them away captive to a land that’s near or far away, 37 if they turn their hearts back to you[ge] in the land where they have been taken captive, repent, and pray to you—even if they do so in the land where they have been taken captive—confessing, ‘We have sinned, we have committed abominations, and practiced wickedness,’ 38 if they return to you with all of their heart and with all of their soul in the land where they have been taken captive, as they pray in the direction of their land that you have given to their ancestors and to the city that you have chosen, and to the Temple that I have built for your name, 39 then hear their prayer and requests from heaven, where you reside, and fight for their cause, forgiving your people who have sinned against you.
40 “And now, my God, please let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers that are uttered in[gf] this place.
41 “And now may the Lord God arise, to your place of rest, you, and the ark of your power! Let your priests, Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and cause your godly ones to find their joy in what is good.
42 “Lord God, do not turn your face away from your anointed one.[gg] Remember your gracious love to your servant David.”
The Glory of God Fills the Temple(J)
7 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire descended from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. 2 The priests could not enter into the Temple because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s Temple. 3 When all of the Israelis saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord resting[gh] on the Temple, they bowed down with their faces[gi] to the ground on the pavement, worshipped, and gave thanks to the Lord,
“Because he is good;
because his gracious love is eternal.”
4 Then the king and all the people kept on offering sacrifices in the presence of the Lord. 5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, which is how[gj] the king and all of the people dedicated God’s Temple. 6 The priests stood in waiting at their assigned places, along with the descendants of Levi who carried musical instruments used in service to the Lord that King David had made for giving thanks to the Lord—because his gracious love is eternal—whenever David, accompanied by priests[gk] sounding trumpets, offered praises while all of Israel stood in the assembly.[gl]
7 Solomon also dedicated the middle of the court in front of the Lord’s Temple by offering there burnt offerings and fat from peace offerings because the bronze altar that Solomon had made could not contain the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and fat portion offerings. 8 At that time Solomon also held a week-long festival attended by all of Israel. The assembly was very large, and included people from as far away as Lebo-hamath[gm] to the Wadi[gn] of Egypt.[go] 9 On the day after the festival ended,[gp] they convened a solemn assembly, because they had been dedicating the altar for seven days and observing the festival for seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, King Solomon[gq] sent the people back home,[gr] and they returned[gs] rejoicing and in good spirits because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David, to Solomon, and to his people Israel.
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