1 Chronicles 17:1--29:30

God Makes a Promise to David

17:1 When David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace made from cedar, while the ark of the Lord’s covenant is under a tent.” 17:2 Nathan said to David, “You should do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.”

17:3 That night God told Nathan the prophet, 17:4 “Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: “You must not build me a house in which to live. 17:5 For I have not lived in a house from the time I brought Israel up from Egypt to the present day. I have lived in a tent that has been in various places. 17:6 Wherever I moved throughout Israel, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, 10  ‘Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?’”’

17:7 “So now, say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord who commands armies 11  says: “I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd 12  to make you a leader of my people Israel. 17:8 I was with you wherever you went and I defeated 13  all your enemies before you. Now I will make you as famous as the great men of the earth. 14  17:9 I will establish a place for my people Israel and settle 15  them there; they will live there and not be disturbed 16  anymore. Violent men will not oppress them again, as they did in the beginning 17  17:10 and during the time when I appointed judges to lead my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies.

“‘“I declare to you that the Lord will build a dynastic house 18  for you! 17:11 When the time comes for you to die, 19  I will raise up your descendant, 20  one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. 17:12 He will build me a house, and I will make his dynasty permanent. 21  17:13 I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you. 22  17:14 I will put him in permanent charge of my house and my kingdom; his dynasty will be permanent.”’” 23  17:15 Nathan told David all these words that were revealed to him. 24 

David Praises God

17:16 David went in, sat before the Lord, and said: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, 25  that you should have brought me to this point? 17:17 And you did not stop there, O God! You have also spoken about the future of your servant’s family. 26  You have revealed to me what men long to know, 27  O Lord God. 17:18 What more can David say 28  to you? You have honored your servant; you have given your servant special recognition. 29  17:19 O Lord, for the sake of your servant and according to your will, 30  you have done this great thing in order to reveal your greatness. 31  17:20 O Lord, there is none like you; there is no God besides you! What we heard is true! 32  17:21 And who is like your people, Israel, a unique nation 33  in the earth? Their God 34  went to claim 35  a nation for himself! You made a name for yourself by doing great and awesome deeds 36  when you drove out 37  nations before your people whom you had delivered from the Egyptian empire and its gods. 38  17:22 You made Israel your very own nation for all time. 39  You, O Lord, became their God. 17:23 So now, O Lord, may the promise you made about your servant and his family become a permanent reality! 40  Do as you promised, 41  17:24 so 42  it may become a reality 43  and you may gain lasting fame, 44  as people say, 45  ‘The Lord who commands armies is the God of Israel.’ 46  David’s dynasty 47  will be established before you, 17:25 for you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a dynasty 48  for him. That is why your servant has had the courage to pray to you. 49  17:26 Now, O Lord, you are the true God; 50  you have made this good promise to your servant. 51  17:27 Now you are willing to bless your servant’s dynasty 52  so that it may stand permanently before you, for you, O Lord, have blessed it and it will be blessed from now on into the future.” 53 

David Conquers the Neighboring Nations

18:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its surrounding towns 54  away from the Philistines. 55 

18:2 He defeated the Moabites; the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 56 

18:3 David defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah as far as Hamath, when he went to extend his authority 57  to the Euphrates River. 58  18:4 David seized from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, 59  and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of Hadadezer’s 60  chariot horses. 61  18:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 18:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; 62  the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected 63  David wherever he campaigned. 64  18:7 David took the golden shields which Hadadezer’s servants had carried 65  and brought them to Jerusalem. 66  18:8 From Tibhath 67  and Kun, 68  Hadadezer’s cities, David took a great deal of bronze. (Solomon used it to make the big bronze basin called “The Sea,” 69  the pillars, and other bronze items.

18:9 When King Tou 70  of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, 18:10 he sent his son Hadoram 71  to King David to extend his best wishes 72  and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Tou had been at war with Hadadezer. 73  He also sent various items made of gold, silver, and bronze. 74  18:11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord, 75  along with the silver and gold which he had carried off from all the nations, including 76  Edom, 77  Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

18:12 Abishai son of Zeruiah 78  killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 18:13 He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected 79  David wherever he campaigned. 80 

David’s Officials

18:14 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people. 81  18:15 Joab son of Zeruiah was commanding general of 82  the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 18:16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha 83  was scribe; 18:17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada supervised 84  the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were the king’s leading officials. 85 

David’s Campaign against the Ammonites

19:1 Later King Nahash of the Ammonites died and his son succeeded him. 19:2 David said, “I will express my loyalty 86  to Hanun son of Nahash, for his father was loyal 87  to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy over his father’s death. 88  When David’s servants entered Ammonite territory to visit Hanun and express the king’s sympathy, 89  19:3 the Ammonite officials said to Hanun, “Do you really think David is trying to honor your father by sending these messengers to express his sympathy? 90  No, his servants have come to you so they can get information and spy out the land!” 91  19:4 So Hanun seized David’s servants and shaved their beards off. 92  He cut off the lower part of their robes so that their buttocks were exposed 93  and then sent them away. 19:5 Messengers 94  came and told David what had happened to the men, so he summoned them, for the men were thoroughly humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho 95  until your beards grow again; then you may come back.”

19:6 When the Ammonites realized that David was disgusted with them, 96  Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents 97  of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah. 98  19:7 They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and camped in front of Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and marched out to do battle.

19:8 When David heard the news, he sent Joab and the entire army to meet them. 99  19:9 The Ammonites marched out and were deployed for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 19:10 When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans. 100  19:11 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites. 19:12 Joab 101  said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, 102  you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, 103  I will come to your rescue. 19:13 Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!” 104  19:14 So Joab and his men 105  marched toward the Arameans to do battle, and they fled before him. 19:15 When the Ammonites saw the Arameans flee, they fled before Joab’s 106  brother Abishai and withdrew into the city. Joab went back to Jerusalem. 107 

19:16 When the Arameans realized they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River, 108  led by Shophach the commanding general of Hadadezer’s army. 109  19:17 When David was informed, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, 110  and marched against them. 111  David deployed his army against the Arameans for battle and they fought against him. 112  19:18 The Arameans fled before Israel. David killed 7,000 113  Aramean charioteers and 40,000 infantrymen; he also killed Shophach 114  the commanding general. 19:19 When Hadadezer’s subjects saw they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. The Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

20:1 In the spring, at the time when kings normally conduct wars, 115  Joab led the army into battle and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah, while David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab defeated Rabbah and tore it down. 20:2 David took the crown from the head of their king 116  and wore it 117  (its weight was a talent 118  of gold and it was set with precious stones). He took a large amount of plunder from the city. 20:3 He removed the city’s residents and made them do hard labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. 119  This was his policy 120  with all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.

Battles with the Philistines

20:4 Later there was a battle 121  with the Philistines in Gezer. 122  At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, 123  one of the descendants of the Rephaim, and the Philistines 124  were subdued.

20:5 There was another battle with the Philistines in which Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, 125  whose spear had a shaft as big as the crossbeam of a weaver’s loom. 126 

20:6 In a battle in Gath 127  there was a large man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot – twenty-four in all! He too was a descendant of Rapha. 20:7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, 128  David’s brother, killed him.

20:8 These were the descendants of Rapha who lived in Gath; they were killed 129  by the hand of David and his soldiers. 130 

The Lord Sends a Plague against Israel

21:1 An adversary 131  opposed 132  Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had. 133  21:2 David told Joab and the leaders of the army, 134  “Go, count the number of warriors 135  from Beer Sheba to Dan. Then bring back a report to me so I may know how many we have.” 136  21:3 Joab replied, “May the Lord make his army 137  a hundred times larger! My master, O king, do not all of them serve my master? Why does my master want to do this? Why bring judgment on Israel?” 138 

21:4 But the king’s edict stood, despite Joab’s objections. 139  So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel before returning to Jerusalem. 140  21:5 Joab reported to David the number of warriors. 141  In all Israel there were 1,100,000 142  sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers. 143  21:6 Now Joab 144  did not number Levi and Benjamin, for the king’s edict disgusted him. 21:7 God was also offended by it, 145  so he attacked Israel.

21:8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 21:9 The Lord told Gad, David’s prophet, 146  21:10 “Go, tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I am offering you three forms of judgment from which to choose. Pick one of them.”’” 147  21:11 Gad went to David and told him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Pick one of these: 21:12 three 148  years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, 149  or three days being struck down by the Lord, during which a plague will invade the land and the Lord’s messenger will destroy throughout Israel’s territory.’ 150  Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.” 21:13 David said to Gad, “I am very upset! I prefer to be attacked by the Lord, for his mercy is very great; I do not want to be attacked by men!” 151  21:14 So the Lord sent a plague through Israel, and 70,000 Israelite men died.

21:15 God sent an angel 152  to ravage 153  Jerusalem. As he was doing so, 154  the Lord watched 155  and relented from 156  his judgment. 157  He told the angel who was destroying, “That’s enough! 158  Stop now!” 159 

Now the Lord’s angel was standing near the threshing floor of Ornan 160  the Jebusite. 21:16 David looked up and saw the Lord’s messenger standing between the earth and sky with his sword drawn and in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. David and the leaders, covered with sackcloth, threw themselves down with their faces to the ground. 161  21:17 David said to God, “Was I not the one who decided to number the army? I am the one who sinned and committed this awful deed! 162  As for these sheep – what have they done? O Lord my God, attack me and my family, 163  but remove the plague from your people!” 164 

21:18 So the Lord’s messenger told Gad to instruct David to go up and build 165  an altar for the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 21:19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do in the name of the Lord. 166  21:20 While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the messenger, and he and his four sons hid themselves. 21:21 When David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David; he came out from the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face 167  to the ground. 21:22 David said to Ornan, “Sell me the threshing floor 168  so I can build 169  on it an altar for the Lord – I’ll pay top price 170  – so that the plague may be removed 171  from the people.” 21:23 Ornan told David, “You can have it! 172  My master, the king, may do what he wants. 173  Look, I am giving you the oxen for burnt sacrifices, the threshing sledges for wood, and the wheat for an offering. I give it all to you.” 21:24 King David replied to Ornan, “No, I insist on buying it for top price. 174  I will not offer to the Lord what belongs to you or offer a burnt sacrifice 175  that cost me nothing. 176  21:25 So David bought the place from Ornan for 600 pieces of gold. 177  21:26 David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. 178  He called out to the Lord, and the Lord 179  responded by sending fire from the sky and consuming the burnt sacrifice on the altar. 21:27 The Lord ordered the messenger 180  to put his sword back into its sheath.

21:28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord responded to him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. 21:29 Now the Lord’s tabernacle (which Moses had made in the wilderness) and the altar for burnt sacrifices were at that time at the worship center 181  in Gibeon. 21:30 But David could not go before it to seek God’s will, for he was afraid of the sword of the Lord’s messenger. 22:1 David then said, “This is the place where the temple of the Lord God will be, along with the altar for burnt sacrifices for Israel.”

David Orders a Temple to Be Built

22:2 David ordered the resident foreigners in the land of Israel to be called together. He appointed some of them to be stonecutters to chisel stones for the building of God’s temple. 22:3 David supplied a large amount of iron for the nails of the doors of the gates and for braces, more bronze than could be weighed, 22:4 and more cedar logs than could be counted. (The Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large amount of cedar logs to David.)

22:5 David said, “My son Solomon is just an inexperienced young man, 182  and the temple to be built for the Lord must be especially magnificent so it will become famous and be considered splendid by all the nations. 183  Therefore I will make preparations for its construction.” So David made extensive preparations before he died.

22:6 He summoned his son Solomon and charged him to build a temple for the Lord God of Israel. 22:7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I really wanted 184  to build a temple to honor 185  the Lord my God. 22:8 But the Lord said to me: 186  ‘You have spilled a great deal of blood and fought many battles. You must not build a temple to honor me, 187  for you have spilled a great deal of blood on the ground before me. 22:9 Look, you will have a son, who will be a peaceful man. 188  I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. 189  Indeed, Solomon 190  will be his name; I will give Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 191  22:10 He will build a temple to honor me; 192  he will become my son, and I will become his father. I will grant to his dynasty permanent rule over Israel.’ 193 

22:11 “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you! May you succeed and build a temple for the Lord your God, just as he announced you would. 194  22:12 Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey 195  the law of the Lord your God. 22:13 Then you will succeed, if you carefully obey the rules and regulations which the Lord ordered Moses to give to Israel. 196  Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! 197  22:14 Now, look, I have made every effort to supply what is needed to build the Lord’s temple. 198  I have stored up 100,000 talents 199  of gold, 1,000,000 200  talents of silver, and so much bronze and iron it cannot be weighed, as well as wood and stones. Feel free to add more! 22:15 You also have available many workers, including stonecutters, masons, carpenters, 201  and an innumerable array of workers who are skilled 22:16 in using gold, silver, bronze, and iron. 202  Get up and begin the work! May the Lord be with you!”

22:17 David ordered all the officials of Israel to support 203  his son Solomon. 22:18 He told them, 204  “The Lord your God is with you! 205  He has made you secure on every side, 206  for he handed over to me the inhabitants of the region 207  and the region 208  is subdued before the Lord and his people. 22:19 Now seek the Lord your God wholeheartedly and with your entire being! 209  Get up and build the sanctuary of the Lord God! Then you can bring 210  the ark of the Lord’s covenant and the holy items dedicated to God’s service 211  into the temple that is built to honor the Lord.” 212 

David Organizes the Levites

23:1 When David was old and approaching the end of his life, 213  he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

23:2 David 214  assembled all the leaders of Israel, along with the priests and the Levites. 23:3 The Levites who were thirty years old and up were counted; there were 38,000 men. 215  23:4 David said, 216  “Of these, 24,000 are to direct the work of the Lord’s temple; 6,000 are to be officials and judges; 23:5 4,000 are to be gatekeepers; and 4,000 are to praise the Lord with the instruments I supplied for worship.” 217  23:6 David divided them into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

23:7 The Gershonites included Ladan and Shimei.

23:8 The sons of Ladan:

Jehiel the oldest, Zetham, and Joel – three in all.

23:9 The sons of Shimei:

Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran – three in all.

These were the leaders of the family of Ladan.

23:10 The sons of Shimei:

Jahath, Zina, 218  Jeush, and Beriah. These were Shimei’s sons – four in all. 219  23:11 Jahath was the oldest and Zizah the second oldest. Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were considered one family with one responsibility.

23:12 The sons of Kohath:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel – four in all.

23:13 The sons of Amram:

Aaron and Moses.

Aaron and his descendants were chosen on a permanent basis to consecrate the most holy items, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to serve him, and to praise his name. 220  23:14 The descendants of Moses the man of God were considered Levites. 221 

23:15 The sons of Moses:

Gershom and Eliezer.

23:16 The son 222  of Gershom:

Shebuel 223  the oldest.

23:17 The son of Eliezer was 224  Rehabiah, the oldest. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many descendants.

23:18 The son 225  of Izhar:

Shelomith the oldest.

23:19 The sons of Hebron:

Jeriah the oldest, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

23:20 The sons of Uzziel:

Micah the oldest, and Isshiah the second.

23:21 The sons of Merari:

Mahli and Mushi.

The sons of Mahli:

Eleazar and Kish.

23:22 Eleazar died without having sons; he had only daughters. The sons of Kish, their cousins, married them. 226 

23:23 The sons of Mushi:

Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth – three in all.

23:24 These were the descendants of Levi according to their families, that is, the leaders of families as counted and individually listed who carried out assigned tasks in the Lord’s temple and were twenty years old and up. 227  23:25 For David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given his people rest and has permanently settled in Jerusalem. 228  23:26 So the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the items used in its service.” 23:27 According to David’s final instructions, the Levites twenty years old and up were counted. 229 

23:28 Their job was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the Lord’s temple. They were to take care of the courtyards, the rooms, ceremonial purification of all holy items, and other jobs related to the service of God’s temple. 230  23:29 They also took care of 231  the bread that is displayed, the flour for offerings, the unleavened wafers, the round cakes, the mixing, and all the measuring. 232  23:30 They also stood in a designated place 233  every morning and offered thanks and praise to the Lord. They also did this in the evening 23:31 and whenever burnt sacrifices were offered to the Lord on the Sabbath and at new moon festivals and assemblies. A designated number were to serve before the Lord regularly in accordance with regulations. 234  23:32 They were in charge of the meeting tent and the holy place, and helped their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, in the service of the Lord’s temple. 235 

David Organizes the Priests

24:1 The divisions of Aaron’s descendants were as follows:

The sons of Aaron:

Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

24:2 Nadab and Abihu died before their father did; they had no sons. Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

24:3 David, Zadok (a descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (a descendant of Ithamar) divided them into groups to carry out their assigned responsibilities. 236  24:4 The descendants of Eleazar had more leaders than the descendants of Ithamar, so they divided them up accordingly; the descendants of Eleazar had sixteen leaders, while the descendants of Ithamar had eight. 237  24:5 They divided them by lots, for there were officials of the holy place and officials designated by God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. 238  24:6 The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, wrote down their names before the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the priestly and Levite families. One family was drawn by lot from Eleazar, and then the next from Ithamar. 239 

24:7 The first lot went to Jehoiarib,

the second to Jedaiah,

24:8 the third to Harim,

the fourth to Seorim,

24:9 the fifth to Malkijah,

the sixth to Mijamin,

24:10 the seventh to Hakkoz,

the eighth to Abijah,

24:11 the ninth to Jeshua,

the tenth to Shecaniah,

24:12 the eleventh to Eliashib,

the twelfth to Jakim,

24:13 the thirteenth to Huppah,

the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

24:14 the fifteenth to Bilgah,

the sixteenth to Immer,

24:15 the seventeenth to Hezir,

the eighteenth to Happizzez,

24:16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah,

the twentieth to Jehezkel,

24:17 the twenty-first to Jakin,

the twenty-second to Gamul,

24:18 the twenty-third to Delaiah,

the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

24:19 This was the order in which they carried out their assigned responsibilities when they entered the Lord’s temple, according to the regulations given them by their ancestor 240  Aaron, just as the Lord God of Israel had instructed him. 241 

Remaining Levites

24:20 The rest of the Levites included: 242 

Shubael 243  from the sons of Amram,

Jehdeiah from the sons of Shubael,

24:21 the firstborn Isshiah from Rehabiah and the sons of Rehabiah,

24:22 Shelomoth from the Izharites,

Jahath from the sons of Shelomoth.

24:23 The sons of Hebron: 244 

Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

24:24 The son 245  of Uzziel:

Micah;

Shamir from the sons of Micah.

24:25 The brother of Micah:

Isshiah.

Zechariah from the sons of Isshiah.

24:26 The sons of Merari:

Mahli and Mushi.

The son of Jaaziah:

Beno. 246 

24:27 The sons of Merari, from Jaaziah:

Beno, 247  Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

24:28 From Mahli:

Eleazar, who had no sons.

24:29 From Kish:

Jerahmeel. 248 

24:30 The sons of Mushi:

Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

These were the Levites, listed by their families.

24:31 Just like their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, they also cast lots before King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of families, the priests, and the Levites. The families of the oldest son cast lots along with the those of the youngest. 249 

David Organizes the Musicians

25:1 David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. 250  The following men were assigned this responsibility: 251 

25:2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were supervised by Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. 252 

25:3 From the sons of Jeduthun: 253  Gedaliah, Zeri, 254  Jeshaiah, 255  Hashabiah, and Mattithiah – six in all, 256  under supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied as he played a harp, giving thanks and praise to the Lord.

25:4 From the sons of Heman: 257  Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s prophet. God had promised him these sons in order to make him prestigious. 258  God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

25:6 All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the Lord’s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 25:7 They and their relatives, all of them skilled and trained to make music to the Lord, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. 259 

25:8 They cast lots to determine their responsibilities – oldest as well as youngest, teacher as well as student. 260 

25:9 The first lot went to Asaph’s son Joseph and his relatives and sons – twelve in all, 261 

the second to Gedaliah and his relatives and sons – twelve in all,

25:10 the third to Zaccur and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:11 the fourth to Izri 262  and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:12 the fifth to Nethaniah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:13 the sixth to Bukkiah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:14 the seventh to Jesharelah 263  and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:15 the eighth to Jeshaiah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:16 the ninth to Mattaniah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:17 the tenth to Shimei and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:18 the eleventh to Azarel 264  and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:19 the twelfth to Hashabiah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:20 the thirteenth to Shubael and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:23 the sixteenth to Hananiah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:25 the eighteenth to Hanani and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:26 the nineteenth to Mallothi and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:27 the twentieth to Eliathah and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:28 the twenty-first to Hothir and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:29 the twenty-second to Giddalti and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth and his sons and relatives – twelve in all,

25:31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer and his sons and relatives – twelve in all.

Divisions of Gatekeepers

26:1 The divisions of the gatekeepers:

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah, son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

26:2 Meshelemiah’s sons:

The firstborn Zechariah, the second Jediael, the third Zebadiah, the fourth Jathniel, 26:3 the fifth Elam, the sixth Jehohanan, and the seventh Elihoenai.

26:4 Obed-Edom’s sons:

The firstborn Shemaiah, the second Jehozabad, the third Joah, the fourth Sakar, the fifth Nethanel, 26:5 the sixth Ammiel, the seventh Issachar, and the eighth Peullethai. (Indeed, God blessed Obed-Edom.)

26:6 His son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders of their families, for they were highly respected. 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah:

Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives 265  Elihu and Semakiah were also respected.

26:8 All these were the descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were respected men, capable of doing their responsibilities. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom.

26:9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives who were respected – eighteen in all.

26:10 Hosah, one of the descendants of Merari, had sons:

The firstborn Shimri (he was not actually the firstborn, but his father gave him that status), 26:11 the second Hilkiah, the third Tebaliah, and the fourth Zechariah. All of Hosah’s sons and relatives numbered thirteen.

26:12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their leaders, had assigned responsibilities, like their relatives, as they served in the Lord’s temple.

26:13 They cast lots, both young and old, according to their families, to determine which gate they would be responsible for. 266  26:14 The lot for the east gate went to Shelemiah. 267  They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise adviser, and the lot for the north gate went to him. 26:15 Obed-Edom was assigned the south gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses. 26:16 Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate, along with the Shalleketh gate on the upper road. One guard was adjacent to another. 268  26:17 Each day there were six Levites posted on the east, four on the north, and four on the south. At the storehouses they were posted in pairs. 26:18 At the court on the west there were four posted on the road and two at the court. 26:19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

Supervisors of the Storehouses

26:20 Their fellow Levites were in charge of the storehouses 269  in God’s temple and the storehouses containing consecrated items. 26:21 The descendants of Ladan, 270  who were descended from Gershon through Ladan and were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, included Jehieli 271  26:22 and the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the storehouses in the Lord’s temple.

26:23 As for the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites:

26:24 Shebuel 272  son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was the supervisor of the storehouses. 26:25 His relatives through Eliezer included: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son, and Shelomith 273  his son. 26:26 Shelomith 274  and his relatives were in charge of all the storehouses containing the consecrated items dedicated by King David, the family leaders who led units of a thousand and a hundred, and the army officers. 26:27 They had dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to be used for repairs on the Lord’s temple. 26:28 They were also in charge of everything dedicated by Samuel the prophet, 275  Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah; Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of everything that had been dedicated.

26:29 As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple 276  as officers and judges over Israel.

26:30 As for the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 respected men, were assigned responsibilities in Israel west of the Jordan; they did the Lord’s work and the king’s service.

26:31 As for the Hebronites: Jeriah was the leader of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, they examined the records and discovered 277  there were highly respected men in Jazer in Gilead. 26:32 Jeriah had 2,700 relatives who were respected family leaders. 278  King David placed them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh; they took care of all matters pertaining to God and the king. 279 

Leaders of the Army

27:1 What follows is a list of Israelite family leaders and commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, as well as their officers who served the king in various matters. Each division was assigned to serve for one month during the year; each consisted of 24,000 men. 280 

27:2 Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. His division consisted of 24,000 men. 27:3 He was a descendant of Perez; he was in charge of all the army officers for the first month.

27:4 Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division assigned the second month; Mikloth was the next in rank. 281  His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:5 The third army commander, assigned the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was the leader of his division, which consisted of 24,000 men. 27:6 Benaiah was the leader of the thirty warriors and his division; his son was Ammizabad. 282 

27:7 The fourth, assigned the fourth month, was Asahel, brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah succeeded him. 283  His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:8 The fifth, assigned the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:9 The sixth, assigned the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:10 The seventh, assigned the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:11 The eighth, assigned the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:12 The ninth, assigned the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:13 The tenth, assigned the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:14 The eleventh, assigned the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:15 The twelfth, assigned the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, a descendant of Othniel. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

27:16 The officers of the Israelite tribes:

Eliezer son of Zikri was the leader of the Reubenites,

Shephatiah son of Maacah led the Simeonites,

27:17 Hashabiah son of Kemuel led the Levites,

Zadok led the descendants of Aaron,

27:18 Elihu, a brother of David, led Judah,

Omri son of Michael led Issachar,

27:19 Ishmaiah son of Obadiah led Zebulun,

Jerimoth son of Azriel led Naphtali,

27:20 Hoshea son of Azaziah led the Ephraimites,

Joel son of Pedaiah led the half-tribe of Manasseh,

27:21 Iddo son of Zechariah led the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead,

Jaasiel son of Abner led Benjamin,

27:22 Azarel son of Jeroham led Dan.

These were the commanders of the Israelite tribes.

27:23 David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 27:24 Joab son of Zeruiah started to count the men but did not finish. God was angry with Israel 284  because of this, so the number was not recorded in the scroll 285  called The Annals of King David.

Royal Officials

27:25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses;

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the towns, and in the towers.

27:26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the land. 286 

27:27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards;

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the wine stored in the vineyards. 287 

27:28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the lowlands; 288 

Joash was in charge of the storehouses of olive oil.

27:29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the cattle grazing in Sharon;

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

27:30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels;

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

27:31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the sheep.

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

27:32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise adviser and scribe; 289 

Jehiel son of Hacmoni cared for 290  the king’s sons.

27:33 Ahithophel was the king’s adviser;

Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant. 291 

27:34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.

Joab was the commanding general of the king’s army.

David Commissions Solomon to Build the Temple

28:1 David assembled in Jerusalem 292  all the officials of Israel, including the commanders of the tribes, the commanders of the army divisions that served the king, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, the officials who were in charge of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, the eunuchs, and the warriors, including the most skilled of them.

28:2 King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the Lord’s covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God. 293  I have made the preparations for building it. 28:3 But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor me, 294  for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.’ 28:4 The Lord God of Israel chose me out of my father’s entire family to become king over Israel and have a permanent dynasty. 295  Indeed, 296  he chose Judah as leader, and my father’s family within Judah, and then he picked me out from among my father’s sons and made me king over all Israel. 297  28:5 From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel. 298  28:6 He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. 28:7 I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day.’ 299  28:8 So now, in the sight of all Israel, the Lord’s assembly, and in the hearing of our God, I say this: 300  Carefully observe 301  all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may possess this good land and may leave it as a permanent inheritance for your children after you.

28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, obey 302  the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, 303  for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, 304  but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. 28:10 Realize 305  now that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it!”

28:11 David gave to his son Solomon the blueprints for the temple porch, 306  its buildings, its treasuries, 307  its upper areas, its inner rooms, and the room 308  for atonement. 28:12 He gave him 309  the blueprints of all he envisioned 310  for the courts of the Lord’s temple, all the surrounding rooms, the storehouses of God’s temple, and the storehouses for the holy items.

28:13 He gave him the regulations 311  for the divisions of priests and Levites, for all the assigned responsibilities within the Lord’s temple, and for all the items used in the service of the Lord’s temple.

28:14 He gave him 312  the prescribed weight for all the gold items to be used in various types of service in the Lord’s temple, for all the silver items to be used in various types of service, 313  28:15 for the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps, for the silver lampstands, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps, according to the prescribed use of each lampstand, 28:16 for the gold used in the display tables, including the amount to be used in each table, for the silver to be used in the silver tables, 28:17 for the pure gold used for the meat forks, bowls, and jars, for the small gold bowls, including the weight for each bowl, for the small silver bowls, including the weight for each bowl, 28:18 and for the refined gold of the incense altar.

He gave him 314  the blueprint for the seat 315  of the gold cherubim that spread their wings 316  and provide shelter for the ark of the Lord’s covenant.

28:19 David said, 317  “All of this I put in writing as the Lord directed me and gave me insight regarding the details of the blueprints.” 318 

28:20 David said to his son Solomon: “Be strong and brave! Do it! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! 319  For the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you or abandon you before all the work for the service of the Lord’s temple is finished. 28:21 Here are the divisions of the priests and Levites who will perform all the service of God’s temple. All the willing and skilled men are ready to assist you in all the work and perform their service. 320  The officials and all the people are ready to follow your instructions.” 321 

The People Contribute to the Project

29:1 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, 322  and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. 29:2 So I have made every effort 323  to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, 324  as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster. 29:3 Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple. 29:4 This includes 3,000 talents 325  of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 29:5 for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”

29:6 The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly. 29:7 They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents 326  and ten thousand darics 327  of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. 29:8 All who possessed precious 328  stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite. 29:9 The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; 329  King David was also very happy. 330 

David Praises the Lord

29:10 David praised the Lord before the entire assembly: 331 

“O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore! 29:11 O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign 332  over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler 333  of all. 29:12 You are the source of wealth and honor; 334  you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. 335  29:13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!

29:14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? 336  Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. 337  29:15 For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; 338  our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security. 339  29:16 O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you. 29:17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughts 340  and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives 341  I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you. 29:18 O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, maintain the motives of your people and keep them devoted to you. 342  29:19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.” 343 

29:20 David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.

David Designates Solomon King

29:21 The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel. 29:22 They held a feast 344  before the Lord that day and celebrated. 345 

Then they designated Solomon, David’s son, as king a second time; 346  before the Lord they anointed him as ruler and Zadok as priest. 29:23 Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him. 347  29:24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 348  29:25 The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him. 349 

David’s Reign Comes to an End

29:26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 29:27 He reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalem 350  thirty-three years. 29:28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. 351  His son Solomon succeeded him. 29:29 King David’s accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Samuel the prophet, the Annals of Nathan the prophet, and the Annals of Gad the prophet. 352  29:30 Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms. 353 


tn Heb “house.”

tn Heb “David.” The pronoun “he” has been used in the translation here to avoid redundancy in keeping with contemporary English style.

tn Heb “house.”

tn Heb “tent curtains.”

tn Heb “all which is in your heart.”

tn Heb “the word of God was [i.e., came] to Nathan the prophet.”

tn The words “from Egypt” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

tc Heb “and I was from tent to tent and from tabernacle.” The words אֶל־מִשְּׁכָּן (’el-mishÿkan, “to tabernacle”) should probably be added at the end of the sentence to complete this prepositional phrase and produce symmetry with the preceding prepositional phrase. The words probably fell from the text by homoioteleuton.

tn In the Hebrew text the statement is phrased as a rhetorical question (“Did I say?”) meaning “I did not say.”

10 tn Heb “to one of the judges of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people.”

11 tn Traditionally, “Lord of hosts.”

12 tn Heb “and from after sheep.”

13 tn Heb “cut off.”

14 tn Heb “and I will make for you a name like the name of the great men who are in the earth.”

15 tn Heb “plant.”

16 tn Heb “shaken.”

17 tn Heb “and sons of violence will no longer consume them as in the beginning.”

18 tn Here the word “house” is used in a metaphorical sense, referring to a royal dynasty. The Lord’s use of the word here plays off the literal sense that David had in mind as he contemplated building a temple (“house”) for the Lord. In the translation the adjective “dynastic” is supplied to indicate that the term is used metaphorically.

19 tn Heb “and it will be when your days are full to go with your ancestors.”

20 tn Heb “your seed.”

21 tn Heb “and I will establish his throne permanently.”

22 sn The one who ruled before you is a reference to Saul, from whom the kingdom was taken and given to David.

23 tn Heb “and his throne will be established permanently.”

24 tn Heb “according to all these words and according to all this revelation, so Nathan said to David.”

25 tn Heb “house.”

26 tn Heb “and this was small in your eyes, O God, so you spoke concerning the house of your servant for a distance.”

27 tn The translation “You have revealed to me what men long to know” is very tentative; the meaning of the Hebrew text is unclear. The text appears to read literally, “and you see me like the searching of man, that which is upward,” which is nonsensical. The translation above assumes the following: (1) The Qal verb translated “you see me” is repointed as a Hiphil, “you showed me,” (2) תּוֹר (tor) is understood in the sense of “searching, exploring,” and (3) הַמַּעֲלָה (hammaalah) is taken in a temporal sense of “that which lies beyond.” Thus one could translate, “you have shown me what men search for, what lies beyond.”

28 tn The word “say” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

29 tn Heb “for honoring your servant, and you, your servant, know.”

30 tn Heb “heart.”

31 tn Heb “to make known all the great deeds.”

32 tn The Hebrew text reads literally, “in all which we heard with our ears,” but בְּכֹל (bÿkhol, “in all”) should probably be emended to כְּכֹל (kÿkhol, “according to all”).

33 tn Heb “a nation, one.”

34 tn Heb “whose God,” or “because God.” In the Hebrew text this clause is subordinated to what precedes. The clauses are separated in the translation for stylistic reasons.

35 tn Heb “redeem” or “deliver.”

36 tn Heb “to make for yourself a name [with] great and awesome [deeds].”

37 tn Heb “to drive out.”

38 tn Heb “from Egypt, nations.” The parallel text in 2 Sam 7:23 reads “from Egypt, nations and its gods.”

39 tn Heb “and you made your people Israel your own for a people permanently.”

40 tn Heb “and now, O Lord, the word which you spoke concerning your servant and concerning his house, may it be established permanently.”

41 tn Heb “as you have spoken.”

42 tn Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result: “so it might become a reality.”

43 tn Heb “so it might be established.”

44 tn Heb “and your name might be great permanently.” Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav conjunctive indicates purpose/result (parallel to the previous purpose/result clause): “[so]…you might gain lasting fame.”

45 tn Heb “saying.” The words “as people” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

46 tc Heb “the Lord who commands armies [traditionally, the Lord of hosts], the God of Israel, Israel’s God.” The phrases אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (’elohey yisrael, “God of Israel”) and אֱלֹהִים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (’elohim lÿyisrael, “Israel’s God”) are probably alternative readings that have been conflated in the text.

47 tn Heb “the house of David.”

48 tn Heb “house.”

49 tn Heb “That is why your servant found to pray before you.” Perhaps the phrase אֶת לִבּוֹ (’et libbo, “his heart”) should be supplied as the object of the verb “found.”

50 tn Heb “the God.” The article indicates uniqueness here.

51 tn Heb “and you have spoken to your servant this good thing.”

52 tn Heb “house.”

53 tn Heb “for you, O Lord, have blessed and [it is] blessed permanently.”

54 tn 2 Sam 8:1 identifies this region as “Metheg Ammah.”

55 tn Heb “from the hand of the Philistines.” Here “hand” is figurative language for “control.”

56 tn Heb “and the Moabites were servants of David, carriers of tribute.”

57 tn Heb “hand.”

58 tn Heb “when he went to set up his hand at the Euphrates River.” The Hebrew word יָד (yad, “hand”) is usually understood to mean “control” or “dominion” here. However, since יָד does occasionally refer to a monument, perhaps one could translate, “to set up his monument at the Euphrates River” (i.e., as a visible marker of the limits of his dominion). For another example of the Hiphil of נָצַב (natsav) used with יָד (“monument”), see 1 Sam 15:12.

59 tn Or “horsemen.”

60 tn Heb “his”; the referent (Hadadezer) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

61 tn Heb “and David cut the hamstrings of all the chariot horses, and he left from them one hundred chariot horses.”

62 tc Heb “and David placed in Aram of Damascus.” The object נְצִיבִים (nÿtsivim, “garrisons”) appears to have been accidentally omitted from the text. See v. 13, as well as the parallel passage in 2 Sam 8:6, which includes it.

63 tn Or “delivered.”

64 tn Or “wherever he went.”

65 tn Heb “which were upon the servants of Hadadezer.”

66 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

67 tn The MT reads “Tibhath” here, a variant name for Tebah (cf. 2 Sam 8:8). Some English translations substitute the other version of the name here (e.g., NIV, NLT), while others follow the reading of the Hebrew text at this point (e.g., NAB, NASB, NRSV).

68 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 8:8 has the variant name “Berothai.”

69 tn Heb “the sea of bronze,” or “[the] sea, the bronze one.” See the note at 1 Kgs 7:23.

70 tn The name is spelled “Toi” in the parallel text in 2 Sam 8:9.

71 tn The name is spelled “Joram” in the parallel text in 2 Sam 8:10.

72 tn Heb “to ask concerning him for peace.”

73 tn Heb “and to bless him because he fought with Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer was a man of battles with Tou.”

74 tn Heb “[along with] all items of gold and silver and bronze.”

75 tn Heb “also them King David made holy to the Lord.”

76 tn Heb “from.”

77 tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 8:12 of the MT reads “Aram.” However, a few Hebrew mss along with the LXX and Syriac of 2 Sam 8:12 read “Edom” in agreement with 1 Chr 18:11 (cf. 2 Sam 8:14).

78 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 8:13 attributes this victory to David.

79 tn Or “delivered.”

80 tn Or “wherever he went.”

81 tn Heb “and he was doing what is just and fair for all his people.”

82 tn Heb “over.”

83 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 8:17 has the variant spelling “Seraiah.”

84 tn Heb “[was] over.”

85 tn Heb “and the sons of David [were] the heads at the hand of David.” The parallel text of 2 Sam 8:18 identifies them as “priests” (see sn there on the word “priests”).

86 tn Heb “do loyalty.”

87 tn Heb “did loyalty.”

88 tn Heb “to console him concerning his father.”

89 tn Heb “and the servants of David came to the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun to console him.”

90 tn Heb “Is David honoring your father in your eyes when he sends to you ones consoling?”

91 tc Heb “Is it not to explore and to overturn and to spy out the land (that) his servants have come to you?” The Hebrew term לַהֲפֹךְ (lahafakh, “to overturn”) seems misplaced in the sequence. Some emend the form to לַחְפֹּר (lakhpor, “to spy out”). The sequence of three infinitives may be a conflation of alternative readings.

92 tn Heb “shaved them.” See v. 5.

93 tn Heb “and he cut their robes in the middle unto the buttocks.”

94 tn Heb “they.” The logical referent, though not specified in the Hebrew text, has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

95 map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.

96 tn Heb “that they were a stench [i.e., disgusting] with David.”

97 tn The Hebrew word כִּכַּר (kikar, “circle”) refers generally to something that is round. When used of metals it can refer to a disk-shaped weight made of the metal or, by extension, to a standard unit of weight. According to the older (Babylonian) standard the “talent” weighed 130 lbs. (58.9 kg), but later this was lowered to 108.3 lbs. (49.1 kg). More recent research suggests the “light” standard talent was 67.3 lbs. (30.6 kg). Using this as the standard for calculation, the Ammonites hired chariots and charioteers for about 33.7 tons (30,600 kg) of silver.

98 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:6 has “Aram Beth Rehob and Aram Zobah.”

99 tn The words “the news” and “to meet them” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.

100 tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:10 has “the Ammonites” in place of “the Arameans” here.

101 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

102 tn Heb “if Aram is stronger than me.”

103 tn Heb “if the sons of Ammon are stronger than you.”

104 tn Heb “and the Lord, what is good in his eyes, he will do.”

105 tn Heb “and the army which was with him.”

106 tn Heb “his”; the referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

107 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

108 tn Heb “the River,” referring to the Euphrates. This has been specified in the translation for clarity.

109 tn Heb “and Aram saw that they were struck down before Israel and they sent messengers and brought out Aram which is beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of the army of Hadadezer [was] before them.”

110 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

111 tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:17 “he came to Helam.”

112 tn Heb “and David was deployed to meet Aram [for] battle and they fought with him.”

113 tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:18 has “seven hundred.”

114 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:18 has the variant spelling “Shobach.”

115 tn Heb “and it was at the time of the turning of the year, at the time of the going out of kings.”

116 tc The translation follows the MT, which reads “of their king”; the LXX and Vulgate read “of Milcom” (cf. 1 Kgs 11:5). Milcom, also known as Molech, was the god of the Ammonites.

117 tn Heb “and it was on the head of David.”

118 sn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6.

119 tc The Hebrew text reads “saws,” but since saws were just mentioned, it is preferable to emend מְגֵרוֹת (mÿgerot, “saws”) to מַגְזְרוֹת (magzÿrot, “axes”).

120 tn Heb “and so he would do.”

121 tn Heb “battle stood.”

122 tn The parallel text in 2 Sam 21:18 identifies this site as “Gob.”

123 tn The parallel text in 2 Sam 21:18 has the variant spelling “Saph.”

124 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Philistines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

125 tc The Hebrew text reads, “Elchanan son of Jair killed Lachmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite.” But it is likely that the accusative marker in front of לַחְמִי (lakhmiy, “Lachmi”) is a corruption of בֵּית (bet), and that אֶת־לַחְמִי (’et-lakhmiy) should be emended to בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי (bet hallakhmiy, “the Bethlehemite”). See 2 Sam 21:19.

126 tc See tc note on the parallel passage in 2 Sam 21:19.

127 tn Heb “and there was another battle, in Gath.”

128 tn The parallel text in 2 Sam 21:21 has the variant spelling “Shimeah.”

129 tn Heb “they fell.”

130 tn Heb “his servants.”

131 tn Or “Satan.” The Hebrew word שָׂטָן (satan) can refer to an adversary in general or Satan in particular. There is no article accompanying the term here, which suggests it should be understood generally (cf. NAB “a satan”).

132 tn Heb “stood against.”

133 tn Heb “and incited David to count Israel.” As v. 5 indicates, David was not interested in a general census, but in determining how much military strength he had.

134 tn Or “people.”

135 tn Heb “Go, count Israel.” See the note on “had” in v. 1.

136 tn Heb “their number.”

137 tn Or “people.”

138 tn Heb “Why should it become guilt for Israel?” David’s decision betrays an underlying trust in his own strength rather than in divine provision. See also 1 Chr 27:23-24.

139 tn Heb “and the word of the king was stronger than Joab.”

140 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

141 tn Heb “and Joab gave to David the number of the numbering of the army [or “people”].”

142 tn Heb “a thousand thousands and one hundred thousand.”

143 tc The parallel text in 2 Sam 24:9 has variant figures: “In Israel there were eight hundred thousand sword-wielding warriors, and in Judah there were five hundred thousands soldiers.”

144 tn Heb “he”; the proper name (“Joab”) has been substituted for the pronoun here for stylistic reasons; the proper name occurs at the end of the verse in the Hebrew text, where it has been replaced by the pronoun (“him”) in the translation.

145 tn Heb “There was displeasure in the eyes of God concerning this thing.”

146 tn Heb “seer.”

147 tn Heb “Three I am extending to you; choose for yourself one of them and I will do it to you.”

148 tc The parallel text in the MT of 2 Sam 24:13 has “seven,” but LXX has “three” there.

149 tc Heb “or three months being swept away from before your enemies and the sword of your enemies overtaking.” The Hebrew term נִסְפֶּה (nisppeh, Niphal participle from סָפָה, safah) should probably be emended to נֻסְכָה (nusÿkhah, Qal infinitive from נוּס [nus] with second masculine singular suffix). See 2 Sam 24:13.

150 tn Heb “or three days of the sword of the Lord and plague in the land, and the messenger [or “angel”] of the Lord destroying in all the territory of Israel.”

151 tn Heb “There is great distress to me; let me fall into the hand of the Lord for his mercy is very great, but into the hand of men let me not fall.”

152 tn The parallel text of 2 Sam 24:15 reports that God sent a plague, while 24:16-17 attributes this to the instrumentality of an angel.

153 tn Or “destroy.”

154 tn Heb “while he was destroying.”

155 tn Or “saw.”

156 tn Or “was grieved because of.”

157 tn Heb “concerning the calamity.”

158 tn For this nuance of the Hebrew word רַב (rav), see BDB 913 s.v. 1.f.

159 tn Heb “Now, drop your hand.”

160 tn In the parallel text in 2 Sam 24:16 this individual is called אֲרַוְנָא (’aravna’, “Aravna”), traditionally “Araunah.” The form of the name found here also occurs in vv. 18-28.

161 tn Heb “and David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces.”

162 tn “and doing evil I did evil.” The infinitive absolute precedes the finite form of the verb for emphasis.

163 tn Heb “let your hand be on me and on the house of my father.”

164 tn Heb “but on your people not for a plague.”

165 tn Heb “that he should go up to raise up.”

166 tn Heb “and David went up by the word of Gad which he spoke in the name of the Lord.”

167 tn Heb “nostrils.”

168 tn Heb “the place of the threshing floor.”

169 tn Following the imperative, the prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive here indicates the immediate purpose/result: “so I can build.”

170 tn Heb “For full silver sell to me.”

171 tn Following the imperative and first person prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive, this third person prefixed verbal form with vav conjunctive introduces the ultimate purpose/result: “so the plague may be removed.” Another option is subordinate this form to the preceding imperative, but the latter may be taken as a parenthetical expansion of the initial request.

172 tn Heb “take for yourself.”

173 tn Heb “what is good in his eyes.”

174 tn Heb “No, for buying I will buy for full silver.” The infinitive absolute precedes the finite verb for emphasis.

175 tc The parallel text in 2 Sam 24:24 has the plural “burnt sacrifices.”

176 tn Or “without [paying] compensation.”

177 tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 24:24 says David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for “fifty pieces of silver.” This would have been about 20 ounces (568 grams) of silver by weight.

178 tn Or “tokens of peace.”

179 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

180 tn Heb “spoke to the messenger.”

181 tn Or “high place.”

182 tn Heb “a young man and tender.”

183 tn Heb “and the house to build to make exceedingly great for a name and for splendor for all the lands.”

184 tn Heb “I was with my heart.”

185 tn Heb “for the name of.”

186 tn Heb “and the word of the Lord was [i.e., came] to me saying.”

187 tn Heb “for my name.”

188 tn Heb “man of rest.”

189 tn Heb “his enemies all around.”

190 sn The name Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, shÿlomoh) sounds like (and may be derived from) the Hebrew word for “peace” (שָׁלוֹם, shalom).

191 tn Heb “in his days.”

192 tn Heb “for my name.”

193 tn Heb “and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel permanently.”

194 tn Heb “as he spoke concerning you.”

195 tn Or “keep.”

196 tn Heb “which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel.”

197 tn Or perhaps, “and don’t get discouraged.”

198 tn Heb “and look, in my affliction [or perhaps, “poverty”] I have supplied for the house of the Lord.”

199 tn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6.

200 tn Heb “a thousand thousands.”

201 tn Heb “craftsmen of stone and wood.”

202 tn Heb “and every kind of skilled one in all work, concerning gold, concerning silver, and concerning bronze, and concerning iron, there is no numbering.”

203 tn Or “help.”

204 tn The words “he told them” are added in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

205 tn In the Hebrew text the statement is phrased as a rhetorical question, “Is not the Lord your God with you?” The question anticipates the response, “Of course he is!” Thus in the translation the positive statement “The Lord your God is with you!” has been used.

206 tn Heb “and he gives rest to you all around.”

207 tn Or “earth.”

208 tn Or “earth.”

209 tn Heb “now give your heart and your being to seek the Lord your God.”

210 tn Heb “to bring.”

211 tn Heb “items of holiness of God.”

212 tn Heb “for the name of the Lord.”

213 tn Heb “and full of years.”

214 tn Heb “he”; the referent (David) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

215 tn Heb “and their number by their heads, by men, was 38,000.”

216 tn The words “David said” are supplied here in the translation for clarification. The appearance of the first person verb “I supplied” in v. 5 indicates that David is speaking here.

217 tn Heb “made to [or “for”] praise.”

218 tc The MT reads “Zina” here and “Zizah” in v. 11. One Hebrew ms, the LXX, and the Vulgate, harmonizing the form of the name to that found in v. 11, read “Zizah” here.

219 sn Verses 8-10 are confusing. Two different lists of Shimei’s sons appear. In between these lists is the statement “these were the leaders of the family of Ladan,” suggesting that the list just before this includes the sons of Ladan, not Shimei. But verse 8 already lists Ladan’s sons. Apparently the text as it stands is a conflation of differing traditions.

220 tn Heb “and Aaron was set apart to consecrate it, the most holy things, he and his sons, permanently, to sacrifice before the Lord, to serve him, and to bless his name permanently.”

221 tn Heb “and Moses the man of God, his sons were called to the tribe of Levi.”

222 tn The Hebrew text has the plural “sons,” but only one name appears after this. The attached phrase “the oldest” might indicate that Shebuel was not Gershom’s only son, but note v. 17.

223 tc The LXX reads Σουβαηλ (Soubahl) here, a reading followed by NAB, NIV, NCV, CEV (“Shubael”); cf. 24:20.

224 tn The Hebrew text has “the sons of Eliezer were,” but only one name appears after this in the verse, and we are specifically told that Eliezer had no other sons.

225 tn The Hebrew text has the plural “sons,” but only one name appears after this. The attached phrase “the oldest” might indicate that Shelomith was not Izhar’s only son, but note v. 17.

226 tn Heb “the sons of Kish, their brothers [i.e., relatives/cousins] lifted them up.” For other uses of נָאָשׂ (naas, “lift up”) in the sense of “marry,” see BDB 671 s.v. Qal.3.d.

227 tn Heb “these were the sons of Levi according to the house of their fathers, heads of the fathers, according to their numberings, by number of names, according to their heads, doer[s] of the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from a son of twenty years and upwards.”

228 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

229 tn Heb “for by the final words of David, they were the number of the sons of Levi, from a son of twenty years and upward.”

230 tn Heb “For their assignment was at the hand of the sons of Aaron for the work of the house of the Lord concerning the courtyards and concerning the rooms and concerning the purification of all holiness and the work of the service of the house of God.”

231 tn Heb “with respect to.”

232 tn The Hebrew terms מְשׂוּרָה (mÿsurah) and מִדָּה (middah) refer to different types of measurements.

233 tn Heb “and to stand.”

234 tn Heb “by number according to the manner upon them, regularly before the Lord.”

235 tn Heb “and they kept the charge of the tent of meeting and the charge of the holy place and the charge of the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.”

236 tn Heb “for their assignment in their service.”

237 tn Heb “And the sons of Eleazar were found to be more, with respect to the heads of men, than the sons of Ithamar, and they divided them. To the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen heads, according to the house of the fathers; and to the sons of Ithamar there were eight, according to the house of their fathers.”

238 tn Heb “and they divided them by lots, these with these, for the officials of the holy place and the officials of God were from the sons of Eleazar and among the sons of Ithamar.”

239 tn Heb “one house of a father was drawn by lot for Eleazar, and one [this assumes an emendation of אָחֻז (’akhuz) to אֶחָד (’ekhad, “one”)] was drawn by lot for Ithamar.”

240 tn Heb “father.”

241 tn Heb “these were their responsibilities for their service to enter the house of the Lord according to their manner [given] by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel commanded him.”

242 tn Heb “Belonging to the rest of the sons of Levi.”

243 tn This appears to be a variant of the name Shebuel (cf. 1 Chr 23:16 and 26:24).

244 tc Most Hebrew mss omit “Hebron” here, but see 1 Chr 23:19. The name is included in two Hebrew mss and some LXX mss.

245 tn The Hebrew text has the plural “sons,” but only one name appears after this.

246 tn Heb “the sons of Jaaziah, Beno.” Apparently בְנוֹ (vÿno), which could be translated “his son,” is a proper name here. The text, however, may be corrupt at this point; a list of Jaaziah’s sons may have been accidentally omitted. See v. 27.

247 tn Or “from Jaaziah his son.” See the note on “Beno” in v. 26.

248 tc The Hebrew text has, “Belonging to [i.e., from] Kish, the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel.” There appears to be a conflation of headings.

249 tn Heb “the fathers [i.e., families] of the head [i.e., oldest] just like his youngest brother.”

250 tn Heb “David and the officers of the army set apart for service the sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, the ones prophesying by harps, by lyres, and by cymbals.”

251 tn Heb “and their number was, the men of work for their service.”

252 tn Heb “the sons of Asaph [were] upon the hand of Asaph, the one prophesying upon the hands of the king.”

253 tn Heb “belonging to Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun.”

254 tn This name appears as “Izri” in v. 10.

255 tc One Hebrew ms and some LXX mss supply the name “Shimei” after “Jeshaiah.” Most Hebrew mss omit the name here (but cf. v. 17).

256 tc The list includes only five names. Apparently the name “Shimei” (see v. 17), which appears in one medieval Hebrew ms and in the LXX, has been accidentally omitted from the Hebrew text.

257 tn Heb “belonging to Heman, the sons of Heman.”

258 tn Heb “by the words of God to exalt a horn.” An animal’s horn is sometimes used metaphorically as a symbol of strength and honor. See BDB 901-2 s.v. קֶרֶנ.

259 tn Heb “and their number with their brothers, trained in music to the Lord, all skilled, was 288.”

260 tn Heb “and they cast lots [for] service, just as like small, like great, teacher with student.”

261 tc Heb “The first lot went to Asaph, to Joseph.” Apparently the recurring formula, “and his sons and his relatives, twelve” has been accidentally omitted from the Hebrew text at this point (see vv. 10-31; the formula is slightly different in v. 9b). If the number “twelve” is not supplied here, the total comes to only 276, not the 288 required by v. 7.

262 tn “Izri” is a variant of the name “Zeri” (cf. 25:3).

263 tn “Jesharelah” is a variant of the name “Asarelah” (cf. 25:2).

264 tn “Azarel” is a variant of the name “Uzziel” (cf. 25:4).

265 tn Or “brothers.”

266 tn Heb “for a gate and a gate,” i.e., for each gate.

267 tn “Shelemiah” is a variant of the name “Meshelemiah” (cf. 26:2).

268 tn Heb “a guard alongside a guard.”

269 tn Or “treasuries.”

270 tn “Ladan” is a variant of the name “Libni” (cf. 6:17).

271 tn “Jehieli” is a variant of the name “Jehiel” (cf. 23:8).

272 tn A number of English versions follow the LXX and Vulgate and read “Shubael” here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NCV, CEV).

273 tc The marginal reading (Qere) is “Shelomith,” while the consonantal text (Kethib) has “Shelomoth.”

274 tc The MT reads “Shelomoth”; the name is spelled “Shelomith” in the marginal reading (Qere) of v. 25.

275 tn Or “seer.”

276 tn The words “the temple” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

277 tn Heb “and they were searched and there were found in them.”

278 tn Heb “and his brothers, sons of respect, [were] 2,700, heads of fathers.”

279 tn Heb “with respect to every matter of God and matter of the king.”

280 tn Heb “and the sons of Israel according to their number, heads of the fathers and the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds and their officers who served the king with respect to every matter of the divisions, [that which] comes and goes out month by month according to all the months of the year, one division [was] twenty-four thousand.”

281 tn Heb “the leader.”

282 tn Heb “That [was the] Benaiah [who was] a warrior of the thirty and over the thirty, and his division, Ammizabad his son.”

283 tn Heb “[was] after him.”

284 tn Heb “anger was on Israel.”

285 tc The Hebrew text has “in the number,” but מִסְפַּר (mispar) is probably dittographic – note that the same word appears immediately before this. The form should be emended to בְּסֵפֶר (bÿsefar, “in the scroll”).

286 tn Heb “with respect to the work of the land.” The phrase refers to agricultural labor; see HALOT 776-77 s.v. עֲבֹדָה.

287 tn Heb “and over [that] which is in the vineyards, with respect to the storehouses of the wine, [was] Zabdi the Shiphmite.”

288 tn Or “foothills”; Heb “the Shephelah.”

289 tn Heb “was an adviser, a man of insight, and a scribe.”

290 tn Heb “[was] with” (so KJV, ASV); NASB “tutored”; NRSV “attended”; NLT “was responsible to teach.’

291 tn Heb “friend.”

292 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

293 tn Heb “I, with my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for a stool of the feet of our God.”

294 tn Heb “for my name.”

295 tn Heb “out of all the house of my father to become king over all Israel permanently.”

296 tn Or “for.”

297 tn Heb “and among the sons of my father he desired to make me king over all Israel.”

298 tn Heb “from all my sons, for many sons the Lord has given to me, he chose Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.”

299 tn Heb “if he is strong to do my commands and my regulations like this day.”

300 tn The words “I say this” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

301 tn Heb “Watch! Seek!”

302 tn Heb “know.”

303 tn Heb “with a complete heart and a willing being.”

304 tn Heb “he will allow himself to be found by you.”

305 tn Heb “see.”

306 tn Heb “for the porch.” The word “temple” was supplied in the translation for clarity.

307 tn Or “storerooms.”

308 tn Heb “house.”

309 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

310 tn Heb “the pattern of all which was in the spirit with him.”

311 tn The words “he gave him the regulations” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

312 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

313 tn Heb “for the gold, by the weight, for the gold, for all the items of service and service, for all the items of silver by weight for all the items of service and service.”

314 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

315 tc The Hebrew text reads מֶרְכָּבָה (merkavah, “chariot”), but the final he (ה) is probably dittographic – note the prefixed he (ה) on the immediately following word. It is preferable to read מֶרְכָּב (merkav, “seat”).

316 tc The Hebrew text does not have “their wings,” but the word כְּנָפַיִם (kÿnafayim, “wings”) has probably been accidentally omitted by homoioteleuton. Note that the immediately preceding לְפֹרְשִׂים (lÿforsim) also ends in mem (ם).

317 tn The words “David said” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

318 tn Heb “the whole in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, he gave insight [for] all the workings of the plan.”

319 tn Or perhaps, “don’t be discouraged.”

320 tn Heb “and with you in all work, for every willing [one] in skill for all service.”

321 tn Heb “and the officials and all the people to all your words.”

322 tn Heb “a young man and tender.”

323 tn Heb “and according to all my strength.”

324 tn Heb “the gold for the gold, and the silver for the silver, and the bronze for the bronze, and the iron for the iron, and the wood for the wood.”

325 tn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6. Using the “light” standard talent of 67.3 lbs. (30.6 kg) as the standard for calculation, David had supplied 101 tons (91,800 kg) of gold and 235.5 tons (214,200 kg) of silver.

326 tn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6. Using the “light” standard talent of 67.3 lbs. (30.6 kg) as the standard for calculation, the people donated 168.3 tons (153,000 kg) of gold, 336.5 tons (306,000 kg) of silver, 605.7 tons (550,800 kg) of bronze, and 3,365 tons (3,060,000 kg) of iron.

327 tn On the “daric” as a unit of measure, see BDB 204 s.v. דַּרְכְּמוֹן. Some have regarded the daric as a minted coin, perhaps even referring to the Greek drachma, but this is less likely.

328 tn The word “precious” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

329 tn Heb “with a complete heart.”

330 tn Heb “was rejoiced with great joy.”

331 tn Heb “assembly, and David said.” The words “and David said” are redundant according to contemporary English style and have not been included in the translation.

332 tn The words “and sovereign” are added in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

333 tn Heb “head.”

334 tn Heb “wealth and honor [are] from before you.”

335 tn Heb “and in your hand [is] strength and might and in your hand to magnify and to give strength to all.”

336 tn Heb “that we should retain strength to contribute like this.”

337 tn Heb “and from you we have given to you.”

338 tn Heb “fathers” (also in vv. 18, 20).

339 tn Or perhaps “hope.”

340 tn Heb “a heart.”

341 tn Heb “with integrity of heart.”

342 tn Heb “keep this permanently with respect to the motive of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and make firm their heart to you.”

343 tn Heb “and to Solomon my son give a complete heart to keep your commands, your rules and your regulations, and to do everything, and to build the palace [for] which I have prepared.”

344 tn Heb “they ate and drank.”

345 tn Heb “with great joy.”

346 sn See 1 Chr 23:1, where David had previously designated Solomon as king over Israel.

347 tn Heb “listened to him.”

348 tn Heb “placed a hand under Solomon the king.”

349 tn Heb “and gave to him glory of kingship which there was not concerning every king before him over Israel.”

350 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

351 tn Heb “satisfied with days, wealth, and honor.”

352 tn Heb “and the events of David the king, the former and the latter, look they are written in the annals of Samuel the seer, and in the annals of Nathan the prophet, and in the annals of Gad the seer.”

353 tn Heb “with all his reign and his might, and the times which passed over him and over Israel and over all the kingdoms of the lands.”