Old/New Testament
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem(A)
6 David again gathered all the ·chosen men [elite troops] of Israel—thirty thousand of them. 2 Then he and all his people went to Baalah in Judah [C another name for Kiriath Jearim] to bring back the Ark of God [Ex. 25:10; 1 Sam. 7:2–3]. The Ark is called by the Name, the name of the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], ·whose throne is [L who is enthroned] ·between [or above; or on] the ·gold creatures with wings [L cherubim; Ex. 25:18–22]. 3 They put the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of Abinadab’s house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, ·led [guided; drove] the new cart 4 which had the Ark of God on it. Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all the Israelites were celebrating in the presence of the Lord. They were playing wooden instruments: lyres, harps, tambourines, ·rattles [castanets], and cymbals.
6 When David’s men came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen ·stumbled [or made it tilt]. So Uzzah reached out ·to steady [L and took hold of] the Ark of God. 7 The ·Lord was angry with [L Lord’s anger burned against] Uzzah and [L he] ·killed him [L struck him down there] because of what he did. So Uzzah died there beside the Ark of God. 8 David ·was angry because the Lord had killed [L resented the Lord’s outburst of anger against] Uzzah. ·Now [L To this day] that place is called ·the Punishment of Uzzah [Outburst upon/against Uzzah; L Perez-uzzah].
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the Ark of the Lord come ·to me [into my care] now?” 10 So David ·would not [L was unwilling to] move the Ark of the Lord to be with him in ·Jerusalem [L the City of David]. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom, ·a man from Gath [the Gittite]. 11 The Ark of the Lord stayed in Obed-Edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his ·family [household].
12 The people told David, “The Lord has blessed the ·family [household] of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because the Ark of God is there.” So David went and brought it up from Obed-Edom’s house to Jerusalem with ·joy [gladness; a great celebration]. 13 When the men carrying the Ark of the Lord had walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a ·fat calf [fat sheep; L fatling]. 14 Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen ·vest [ephod; Ex. 28:6–14]. 15 David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew the ·trumpets [ram’s horns] as they brought the Ark of the Lord to the city.
16 As the Ark of the Lord came into the city [L of David], Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw David ·jumping [leaping] and ·dancing [whirling] in the presence of the Lord, she ·hated him [L despised/had contempt for him in her heart].
17 David put up a tent for the Ark of the Lord, and then the Israelites put it in its place inside the tent. David offered whole burnt offerings and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1] before the Lord. 18 When David finished offering the whole burnt offerings and the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1], he blessed the people in the name of the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts]. 19 David gave a loaf of bread, a ·cake [cluster] of dates, and a ·cake [cluster] of raisins to ·every Israelite [L the whole multitude/crowd of Israel], both men and women. Then all the people went home.
20 David went back to bless ·the people in his home [his household/family], but Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. She said, “·With what honor [How] the king of Israel ·acted [distinguished himself] today! You ·took off your clothes [exposed/uncovered/displayed yourself] in front of the servant girls of your officers like ·one who takes off his clothes without shame [any vulgar/foolish/shameless fellow might do]!”
21 Then David said to Michal, “I did it ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. The Lord chose me, ·not [over; above] your father ·or anyone from Saul’s family [and all his house]. The Lord appointed me ·to be [ruler; leader; prince] over Israel. So I will celebrate ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. 22 Maybe I will ·lose even more honor [become even more lightly esteemed/contemptible/undignified], and maybe I will be ·brought down in my own opinion [humbled in my own eyes], but the ·girls [maids; servant girls] you talk about will honor me!”
23 And Saul’s daughter Michal had no children to the day she died.
David Wants to Build a Temple(B)
7 King David was living in his ·palace [L house], and the Lord had given him ·peace [L rest] from all his enemies ·around [L sur-rounding] him [Deut. 12:10; C apparently a sign that the conquest of Canaan was complete and the Temple should be built]. 2 Then David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a ·palace [L house] made of cedar wood, but the Ark of God ·is [stays; dwells] in a tent!”
3 Nathan said to the king, “Go and do what you ·really want to do [L have in your mind/heart], because the Lord is with you.”
4 But that night the ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘·This is what the Lord says: ·Will you [Are you the one to] build a house for me to ·live [dwell] in? 6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until ·now [L this day] I have not ·lived [dwelt] in a house. I have been moving around all this time with a tent ·as my home [or and a tabernacle]. 7 As I have moved with the Israelites, ·I have never [L have I ever] said to ·the tribes [any of the tribal leaders], whom I commanded to ·take care of [shepherd] my people Israel, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?” ’
8 “You must 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 ·leader [ruler; prince] of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you everywhere you have gone and have ·defeated [destroyed; L cut off] your enemies for you. I will make ·you as famous [L for you a name as great] as any of the great people on the earth. 10 Also I will ·choose [appoint; provide] a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them ·so they can live in their own homes [L to dwell in their own place]. They will not be bothered anymore. Wicked people will no longer ·bother [afflict; oppress] them as they have in the past 11 when I ·chose [appointed; commanded; instituted] judges for my people Israel. But I will give you ·peace [L rest] from all your enemies. ·I also tell you [L The Lord also declares] that ·I [L the Lord] will ·make your descendants kings of Israel after [L establish a house/dynasty for] you.
12 “‘When ·you die [L your days are complete/fulfilled/over] and ·join [you lie down/are buried with] your ancestors, I will ·make one of your sons the next king [L raise up your descendant/offspring after you; C Solomon; 1 Kin. 1–2], and I will ·set up [establish] his kingdom. 13 He will build a house [C the Temple; 1 Kin. 6–7] for ·me [L my name], and I will ·let his kingdom rule always [L establish the throne of his kingdom forever]. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son [Ps. 2:7]. When he ·sins [does wrong], I ·will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips [L …correct/discipline him with the rod of/used by men and the whippings/blows used by humans]. 15 I took away my ·love [favor; faithful love] from Saul, whom I removed before you, but I will never stop loving your son. 16 But your ·family [L house] and your kingdom will ·continue [endure] always before me. Your throne will ·last [L be established/secure] forever.’”
17 Nathan told David ·everything God had said in [all these words of] this vision.
David Prays to God
18 Then King David went in and sat ·in front of [before; in the presence of] the Lord. David said, “Lord God, who am I? What is my ·family [L house]? Why did you bring me ·to this point [this far]? 19 But even this ·is not enough for you [L was a small thing in your eyes], Lord God. You have also ·made promises about my future family [spoken about the future of my house]. ·This is extraordinary [So it is with humanity; or This is a decree/instruction/charter for the people/humanity], Lord God.
20 “What more can I say to you, Lord God, since you know me, your servant, so well! 21 You have done ·this great thing [L all this greatness] ·because you said you would [L for the sake of your word/promise] and ·because you wanted to [L according to your will/heart], and you have ·let me know about it [made it known to your servant]. 22 This is why you are great, Lord God! There is no one like you. There is no God except you. ·We have heard all this ourselves […that we have ever heard of]! 23 ·There is no nation like [L What other nation/people is like…?] your people Israel. ·They are the only [L What other…?] people on earth ·that God chose [did God choose] to be his own [Gen. 12:1–3]. ·You made your name well known. You did great and wonderful miracles for them […to make a name for himself by doing great and awesome things/miracles/wonders on their behalf?]. You went ahead of them and ·forced [drove] other nations and their gods out of the land. You ·freed [redeemed; ransomed] your people from ·slavery in Egypt [Egypt]. 24 You ·made [established] the people of Israel your very own people forever, and, Lord, you ·are [have become] their God.
25 “Now, Lord God, keep the ·promise forever that you made [word you have spoken] about my ·family [L house] and me, your servant. Do what you have said [promised]. 26 Then ·you [L your name] will be ·honored [magnified] ·always [forever], ·and people will say […by people saying], ‘The Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] is God over Israel!’ And ·the family [L may the house] of your servant David will ·continue [be established/secure] before you.
27 “Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], the God of Israel, you have ·said to me [revealed this to me, saying], ‘I will ·make your family great [L build a house/dynasty for you].’ So I, your servant, am ·brave [bold; courageous] enough to pray to you. 28 Lord God, you are God, and your words are ·true [truth; trustworthy]. And you have promised these good things to me, your servant. 29 Please, bless ·my family [L the house of your servant]. Let it ·continue [remain] before you always. Lord God, you have ·said so [spoken]. With your blessing let ·my family [L the house of your servant] always be blessed.”
David Wins Many Battles(C)
8 Later, David ·defeated [L struck] the Philistines, ·conquered [subdued] them, and took ·the city of Metheg Ammah [or a city of importance; C perhaps a reference to Gath (1 Chr. 18:1)].
2 He also ·defeated [L struck] the people of Moab. He made them lie on the ground, and then he used a rope to measure them. ·Those who were measured within two rope lengths were killed, but those who were within the next rope length were allowed to live [He put to death two measured groups for every one measured group he allowed to live]. So the people of Moab became ·servants [subjects] of David and ·gave him the payment he demanded [paid/brought him tribute].
3 David also ·defeated [L struck] Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to ·take control again at [extend his power/rule/L hand over; or restore his monument at] the Euphrates River. 4 David captured ·one thousand chariots, seven thousand men who rode in chariots [or 1,700 charioteers], and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He ·crippled [hamstrung] all but a hundred of the chariot horses.
5 ·Arameans [Syrians] from Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David ·killed [L struck] twenty-two thousand of them. 6 Then David put ·groups [garrisons] of soldiers in Damascus in Aram. The ·Arameans [Syrians] became David’s ·servants [subjects] and ·gave him the payment he demanded [paid/brought him tribute]. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
7 David took the shields of gold that had belonged to Hadadezer’s ·officers [L servants] and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 David also took many things made of bronze from Tebah and Berothai, which had been cities under Hadadezer’s control.
9 Toi king of Hamath heard that David had ·defeated [L struck] all the army of Hadadezer. 10 So Toi sent his son Joram to greet and ·congratulate [bless] King David for defeating Hadadezer. (Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.) Joram brought ·items [objects; articles] made of silver, gold, and bronze. 11 King David ·gave [dedicated; consecrated] them to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations he had ·defeated [subdued; subjugated]. 12 These nations were ·Edom [L Aram; C the Hebrew has Aram (Syria), but the context suggests Edom], Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek. David also gave the Lord ·what he had taken from [the spoil/plunder of] Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 David ·was famous [L made a name for himself] after he returned from ·defeating [or killing; L striking] eighteen thousand ·Arameans [or Edomites; 1 Chr. 18:12; Ps. 60 title] in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put ·groups [garrisons] of soldiers all over Edom, and all the Edomites became his ·servants [subjects]. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
15 David ·was king [reigned] over all Israel, and he did what was ·fair [just] and ·right [equitable] for all his people. 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the ·recorder [royal historian]. 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was the royal secretary. 18 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 ·priests [or important officials; C “priests” is the more likely reading, but uncertain because only Levites were supposed to be priests].
A Lost Sheep, a Lost Coin(A)
15 The tax collectors [C who were despised because they worked for the Roman rulers and were notorious for corruption and extortion] and sinners all ·came [drew near] to listen to Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the ·teachers of the law [scribes] began to ·complain [murmur; grumble]: “Look, this man ·welcomes [associates with; receives] sinners and even eats with them [C indicating social acceptance].”
3 ·Then [So] Jesus told them this ·story [parable]: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep but loses one of them. ·Then he will [L Won’t he…?] leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the ·open field [wilderness; desert] and go out and look for the lost sheep until he finds it. 5 And when he finds it, he ·happily [joyfully] puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. He calls ·to [together] his friends and neighbors and says, ‘·Be happy [Rejoice] with me because I found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who ·changes his heart and life [repents], than over ninety-nine ·good [righteous; C self-righteous] people who don’t need to ·change [repent].
8 “[L Or] Suppose a woman has ten silver coins [C Greek: drachmas; each equal to about a day’s wage], but loses one. ·She will [Won’t she…?] light a lamp, sweep the house, and ·look [search] carefully for the coin until she finds it. 9 And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say, ‘·Be happy [Rejoice] with me because I have found the ·coin [L drachma] that I lost.’ 10 In the same way, [L I tell you] there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner ·changes his heart and life [repents].”
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