In the east they settled as far as the entrance to the desert that stretches to the Euphrates River, for their cattle had increased in numbers in the land of Gilead.

So the Lord’s messenger told Gad to instruct David to go up and build ¹  an altar for the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

When David was informed, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, ¹  and marched against them. ²  David deployed his army against the Arameans for battle and they fought against him. ³ 

Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills. ¹ 

But the Lord said to me: ¹  ‘You have spilled a great deal of blood and fought many battles. You must not build a temple to honor me, ²  for you have spilled a great deal of blood on the ground before me.

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! ¹  As for these sheep – what have they done? O Lord my God, attack me and my family, ²  but remove the plague from your people!” ³ 

David said, “I will express my loyalty ¹  to Hanun son of Nahash, for his father was loyal ²  to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy over his father’s death. ³  When David’s servants entered Ammonite territory to visit Hanun and express the king’s sympathy, ⁴ 

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. ¹ 

Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians ¹  of the ark;

Realize ¹  now that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it!”

David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, along with the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

What more can David say ¹  to you? You have honored your servant; you have given your servant special recognition. ² 

Joab ¹  said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, ²  you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, ³  I will come to your rescue.

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. ¹ 

Remember ¹  continually his covenantal decree, the promise he made ²  to a thousand generations –

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

The first lot went to Asaph’s son Joseph and his relatives and sons – twelve in all, ¹  the second to Gedaliah and his relatives and sons – twelve in all,

Hashabiah son of Kemuel led the Levites, Zadok led the descendants of Aaron,

Ishmaiah son of Obadiah led Zebulun, Jerimoth son of Azriel led Naphtali,

He gave it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as a lasting promise, ¹