The next day, when the Philistines came to strip loot from the corpses, they discovered Saul and his sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa.

David’s power steadily grew, for the Lord who commands armies was with him.

From the three he was given double honor and he became their officer, even though he was not one of them.

The Philistines left their idols there, so David ordered that they be burned.

David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared for it.

The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

Recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed,

three years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords, 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.’ Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.”

and more cedar logs than could be counted. (The Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large amount of cedar logs to David.)

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

Wherever I moved throughout Israel, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, ‘Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?’”’

so it may become a reality and you may gain lasting fame, as people say, ‘The Lord who commands armies is the God of Israel.’ David’s dynasty will be established before you,

David told Joab and the leaders of the army, “Go, count the number of warriors from Beer Sheba to Dan. Then bring back a report to me so I may know how many we have.”

The sons of Jehoiakim: his son Jehoiachin and his son Zedekiah.

The five others were Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed.

Their settlements also included Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan – five towns.

Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was born second, Aharah third,

From the descendants of Zerah: Jeuel. Their relatives numbered 690.

The gatekeepers were posted on all four sides – east, west, north, and south.

and said, “God forbid that I should do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it to him, he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors.