Discovery Box1 Chronicles 13:1--16:43
Context13:1 David consulted with his military officers, including those who led groups of a thousand and those who led groups of a hundred. 1 13:2 David said to the whole Israelite assembly, “If you so desire and the Lord our God approves, 2 let’s spread the word 3 to our brothers who remain in all the regions of Israel, and to the priests and Levites in their cities, 4 so they may join us. 13:3 Let’s move the ark of our God back here, 5 for we did not seek his will 6 throughout Saul’s reign.” 7 13:4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, 8 for the proposal seemed right to all the people. 9 13:5 So David assembled all Israel from the Shihor River 10 in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, 11 to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 13:6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who sits enthroned between the cherubim – the ark that is called by his name. 12
13:7 They transported the ark on a new cart from the house of Abinadab; Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart, 13:8 while David and all Israel were energetically 13 celebrating before God, singing and playing various stringed instruments, 14 tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 13:9 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to take hold of 15 the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 13:10 The Lord was so furious with Uzzah, 16 he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. 17 He died right there before God. 18
13:11 David was angry because the Lord attacked Uzzah; 19 so he called that place Perez Uzzah, 20 which remains its name to this very day. 13:12 David was afraid of God that day and said, “How will I ever be able to bring the ark of God up here?” 13:13 So David did not move the ark to the City of David; 21 he left it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 13:14 The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom’s house for three months; the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s family and everything that belonged to him.
14:1 King Hiram of Tyre 22 sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, 23 and carpenters to build a palace for him. 14:2 David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated 24 his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
14:3 In Jerusalem 25 David married 26 more wives and fathered more sons and daughters. 14:4 These are the names of children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 14:5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 14:6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 14:7 Elishama, Beeliada, 27 and Eliphelet.
14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed 28 king of all Israel, all the Philistines marched up to confront him. 29 When David heard about it, he marched out against 30 them. 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and raided 31 the Valley of Rephaim. 14:10 David asked God, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to him, “March up! I will hand them over to you!” 14:11 So they marched against Baal Perazim and David defeated them there. David said, “Using me as his instrument, 32 God has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So that place is called Baal Perazim. 33 14:12 The Philistines left 34 their idols 35 there, so David ordered that they be burned.
14:13 The Philistines again raided the valley. 14:14 So David again asked God what he should do. 36 This time 37 God told him, “Don’t march up after them; circle around them and come against them in front of the trees. 38 14:15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack. 39 For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army 40 of the Philistines.” 14:16 David did just as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
14:17 So David became famous 41 in all the lands; the Lord caused all the nations to fear him. 42
15:1 David constructed buildings in the City of David; he then prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 15:2 Then David said, “Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before him perpetually. 15:3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem 43 to bring the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared for it. 15:4 David gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:
15:5 From the descendants of Kohath: Uriel the leader and 120 of his relatives.
15:6 From the descendants of Merari: Asaiah the leader and 220 of his relatives.
15:7 From the descendants of Gershom: 44 Joel the leader and 130 of his relatives.
15:8 From the descendants of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the leader and 200 of his relatives.
15:9 From the descendants of Hebron: Eliel the leader and 80 of his relatives.
15:10 From the descendants of Uzziel: Amminadab the leader and 112 of his relatives.
15:11 David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, along with the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 15:12 He told them: “You are the leaders of the Levites’ families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it. 15:13 The first time you did not carry it; that is why the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask him about the proper way to carry it.” 45 15:14 The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. 15:15 The descendants of Levi carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according to the divine command.
15:16 David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint some of their relatives as musicians; they were to play various instruments, including stringed instruments and cymbals, and to sing loudly and joyfully. 46 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; one of his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; one of the descendants of Merari, 47 Ethan son of Kushaiah; 15:18 along with some of their relatives who were second in rank, including Zechariah, 48 Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
15:19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 15:20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to the alamoth style; 49 15:21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to play the lyres according to the sheminith style, 50 as led by 51 the director; 15:22 Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in charge of transport, for he was well-informed on this matter; 52 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians 53 of the ark; 15:24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; Obed-Edom and Jehiel were also guardians 54 of the ark.
15:25 So David, the leaders of Israel, and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the house of Obed-Edom with celebration. 15:26 When God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 15:27 David was wrapped in a linen robe, as were all the Levites carrying the ark, the musicians, and Kenaniah the supervisor of transport and the musicians; 55 David also wore a linen ephod. 56 15:28 All Israel brought up the ark of the Lord’s covenant; they were shouting, blowing trumpets, sounding cymbals, and playing stringed instruments. 15:29 As the ark of the Lord’s covenant entered the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out the window. When she saw King David jumping and celebrating, she despised him. 57
16:1 They brought the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings 58 before God. 16:2 When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s name. 16:3 He then handed out to each Israelite man and woman a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. 16:4 He appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord, to offer prayers, songs of thanks, and hymns to the Lord God of Israel. 16:5 Asaph was the leader and Zechariah second in command, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They were to play stringed instruments; Asaph was to sound the cymbals; 16:6 and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of God’s covenant.
16:7 That day David first gave to Asaph and his colleagues this song of thanks to the Lord:
16:8 Give thanks to the Lord!
Call on his name!
Make known his accomplishments among the nations!
16:9 Sing to him! Make music to him!
Tell about all his miraculous deeds!
16:10 Boast about his holy name!
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
16:11 Seek the Lord and the strength he gives!
Seek his presence 59 continually!
16:12 Recall the miraculous deeds he performed,
his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed, 60
16:13 O children 61 of Israel, God’s 62 servant,
you descendants of Jacob, God’s 63 chosen ones!
16:14 He is the Lord our God;
he carries out judgment throughout the earth. 64
16:15 Remember 65 continually his covenantal decree,
the promise he made 66 to a thousand generations –
16:16 the promise 67 he made to Abraham,
the promise he made by oath to Isaac! 68
16:17 He gave it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as a lasting promise, 69
16:18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.”
16:19 When they were few in number,
just a very few, and foreign residents within it,
16:20 they wandered from nation to nation,
and from one kingdom to another. 70
16:21 He let no one oppress them,
he disciplined kings for their sake,
16:22 saying, 71 “Don’t touch my anointed ones!
Don’t harm my prophets!”
16:23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Announce every day 72 how he delivers!
16:24 Tell the nations about his splendor,
tell 73 all the nations about his miraculous deeds!
16:25 For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise,
he is more awesome than 74 all gods.
16:26 For all the gods of the nations are worthless, 75
but the Lord made the heavens. 76
16:27 Majestic splendor emanates from him, 77
he is the source of strength and joy. 78
16:28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations,
ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength!
16:29 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! 79
Bring an offering and enter his presence!
Worship the Lord in holy attire! 80
16:30 Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is established, it cannot be moved.
16:31 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be happy!
Let the nations say, 81 ‘The Lord reigns!’
16:32 Let the sea and everything in it shout!
Let the fields and everything in them celebrate!
16:33 Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth!
16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures. 82
16:35 Say this prayer: 83 “Deliver us, O God who delivers us!
Gather us! Rescue us from the nations!
Then we will give thanks 84 to your holy name,
and boast about your praiseworthy deeds.” 85
16:36 May the Lord God of Israel be praised,
in the future and forevermore. 86
Then all the people said, “We agree! 87 Praise the Lord!”
16:37 David 88 left Asaph and his colleagues there before the ark of the Lord’s covenant to serve before the ark regularly and fulfill each day’s requirements, 89 16:38 including Obed-Edom and sixty-eight colleagues. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun and Hosah were gatekeepers. 16:39 Zadok the priest and his fellow priests served 90 before the Lord’s tabernacle at the worship center 91 in Gibeon, 16:40 regularly offering burnt sacrifices to the Lord on the altar for burnt sacrifice, morning and evening, according to what is prescribed in the law of the Lord which he charged Israel to observe. 92 16:41 Joining them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord. (For his loyal love endures!) 93 16:42 Heman and Jeduthun were in charge of the music, including the trumpets, cymbals, and the other musical instruments used in praising God. The sons of Jeduthun guarded the entrance. 94
16:43 Then all the people returned to their homes, and David went to pronounce a blessing on his family. 95
[13:1] 1 tn Heb “and David consulted with the officers of thousands and hundreds, to every ruler.”
[13:2] 2 tn Heb “If to you [it is] good and from the
[13:2] 3 tn Heb “let us spread and let us send.” The words “the word” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
[13:2] 4 tn Heb “in the cities of their pasturelands.”
[13:3] 6 tn Heb “him.” In this case, seeking God’s will is what is implied.
[13:3] 7 tn Heb “in the days of Saul.”
[13:4] 8 tn Heb “all the assembly said to do so.”
[13:4] 9 tn Heb “for right was the word in the eyes of all the people.”
[13:5] 10 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied for clarity.
[13:5] 11 tn Or “the entrance to Hamath.”
[13:6] 12 tn Heb “the ark of God the
[13:8] 13 tn Heb “with all strength.”
[13:8] 14 tn Heb “with songs and with zithers [meaning uncertain] and with harps.” Due to the collocation with “harps,” some type of stringed instrument is probably in view.
[13:10] 16 tn Heb “and the anger of the
[13:10] 17 tn Heb “because he stretched out his hand over the ark.”
[13:10] 18 sn The modern reader might think God seemed to overreact here, but Israel needed a vivid object lesson of God’s holiness. By loading the ark on a cart, David had violated the instructions in God’s law (Exod 25:12-14; Num 4:5-6, 15). Uzzah’s action, however innocent it may seem, betrayed a certain lack of reverence for God’s presence. God had to remind his people that his holiness could not under any circumstances be violated.
[13:11] 19 tn Heb “because the
[13:11] 20 sn The name Perez Uzzah means in Hebrew “the outburst [against] Uzzah.”
[13:13] 21 sn The phrase the City of David refers here to the fortress of Zion in Jerusalem, not to Bethlehem. See 2 Sam 5:7.
[14:1] 22 map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.
[14:1] 23 tn Heb “craftsman of a wall,” that is, masons skilled at building stone walls.
[14:2] 24 tn Heb “was lifted upwards.”
[14:3] 25 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[14:7] 27 tn In 1 Chr 3:8 and 2 Sam 5:16 this name appears as “Eliada.” The form here represents a variant spelling of the name.
[14:8] 28 tn Or “designated”; NCV “had been made king”; CEV “had become king.”
[14:8] 29 tn Heb “to seek David.”
[14:8] 30 tn Heb “went out before.”
[14:11] 32 tn Heb “by my hand.”
[14:11] 33 sn The name Baal Perazim means “Lord of outbursts” in Hebrew.
[14:12] 34 tn Heb “abandoned.”
[14:14] 36 tn Heb “and David again asked God.”
[14:14] 37 tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.
[14:14] 38 tn The Hebrew word translated “trees” is defined by HALOT 129 s.v. בָּכָא as “shrubs.” Some translate “balsam trees” (see BDB 113 s.v. בָּכָא), cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT.
[14:15] 39 tn Heb “go out in battle.”
[14:17] 41 tn Heb “the name of David went out.”
[14:17] 42 tn Heb “and the
[15:3] 43 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[15:7] 44 sn Gershom is a variant spelling of the name Gershon.
[15:13] 45 tn Heb “because for what was at first [i.e., formerly] you [were] not, the
[15:16] 46 tn Heb “causing to be heard to lift up with a voice of joy.”
[15:17] 47 tn The Hebrew text adds, “their brothers.”
[15:18] 48 tc The Hebrew text adds בֶּן (ben, “son”) here; the word is omitted in three Hebrew
[15:20] 49 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word עֲלָמוֹת (’alamot) is uncertain; perhaps it refers to a particular style of music. See HALOT 835-36 s.v. עַלְמָה.
[15:21] 50 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word שְׁמִינִית (shÿminit) is uncertain; perhaps it refers to a particular style of music. See HALOT 1562 s.v. שְׁמִינֹי.
[15:21] 51 tn Heb “for” or “according to.”
[15:22] 52 tn Heb “and Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, with lifting up, supervising with lifting up, for he was well-informed.” The precise nuance of מַשָּׂא (masa’, “lifting up”) is unclear. Some understand it as a reference to supervising the singing and music (e.g., NIV: “Kenaniah…was in charge of the singing”; NEB: “Kenaniah…was precentor in charge of the music”).
[15:23] 53 tn Heb “gatekeepers.”
[15:24] 54 tn Heb “gatekeepers.”
[15:27] 55 tn Heb “the leader, the lifting up, the musicians.” See also the note on the word “matter” in v. 22.
[15:27] 56 sn An ephod was a priestly garment worn over the robe.
[15:29] 57 tn The Hebrew text adds “in her heart.”
[16:1] 58 tn Or “tokens of peace”; NIV “fellowship offerings.”
[16:12] 60 tn Heb “and the judgments of his mouth.”
[16:13] 62 tn Heb “his”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[16:13] 63 tn Heb “his”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[16:14] 64 tn Heb “in all the earth [are] his judgments.”
[16:15] 65 tn The Hebrew text has a masculine plural imperative, addressed to the people. Some LXX
[16:15] 66 tn Heb “[the] word he commanded.” The text refers here to God’s unconditional covenantal promise to Abraham and the patriarchs, as vv. 16-18 make clear.
[16:16] 68 tn Heb “his oath to Isaac.”
[16:17] 69 tn Or “eternal covenant.”
[16:20] 70 tn Heb “and from a kingdom to another nation.”
[16:22] 71 tn The word “saying” is supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
[16:23] 72 tn Heb “from day to day.”
[16:24] 73 tn The verb “tell” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
[16:25] 74 tn Or “feared above.”
[16:26] 75 tn The Hebrew word אֱלִילִים (’elilim, “worthless”) sounds like אֱלֹהִים (’elohim, “gods”). The sound play draws attention to the statement. Many modern English translations render this term as “idols” here.
[16:26] 76 tn Or “the sky” (also in v. 31). The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.
[16:27] 77 tn Heb “majesty and splendor [are] before him.”
[16:27] 78 tn Heb “strength and joy [are] in his place.”
[16:29] 79 tn Heb “the splendor of [i.e., due] his name.”
[16:29] 80 tn Or “in holy splendor.”
[16:31] 81 tn Heb “let them say among the nations.”
[16:34] 82 tn Or “is eternal.”
[16:35] 83 tn The words “this prayer” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
[16:35] 84 tn Heb “to give thanks.” The infinitive construct indicates result after the imperative.
[16:35] 85 tn Heb “to boast in your praise.”
[16:36] 86 tn Heb “from everlasting to everlasting.”
[16:36] 87 tn This is the Hebrew term אָמֵן (’amen, “surely”), traditionally transliterated “amen.”
[16:37] 88 tn Heb “he”; the referent (David) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[16:37] 89 tn Heb “according to the matter of the day in its day.”
[16:39] 90 tn The word “served” is supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
[16:39] 91 tn Or “high place.”
[16:40] 92 tn Heb “which he commanded Israel.”
[16:41] 93 tn Perhaps this refers to the refrain of their songs of praise (see Ps 136). In this case one could translate, “to give thanks to the
[16:42] 94 tn Heb “and with them, Heman and Jeduthun, trumpets and cymbals for sounding, and the instrument of song of God, and the sons of Jeduthun [were] at the gate.”
[16:43] 95 tn Heb “to bless his house.” Elsewhere when “house” is the object of “bless,” it refers to a household or family. See, for example, 1 Chr 13:14; 17:27. However, since בֵּית (bet, “house”) refers to a literal house or home earlier in the verse and to David’s palace in 17:1, one might translate here, “David went to pronounce a blessing on [i.e., dedicate] his house [i.e., palace].”
