The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom&#8217;s house for three months; the <sc>Lordsc> blessed Obed-Edom&#8217;s family and everything that belonged to him.p>

David seized from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers,<n id="1" /> and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of Hadadezer&#8217;s<n id="2" /> chariot horses.<n id="3" />

he sent his son Hadoram<n id="1" /> to King David to extend his best wishes<n id="2" /> and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Tou had been at war with Hadadezer.<n id="3" /> He also sent various items made of gold, silver, and bronze.<n id="4" />

King David dedicated these things to the <sc>Lordsc>,<n id="1" /> along with the silver and gold which he had carried off from all the nations, including<n id="2" /> Edom,<n id="3" /> Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.p>

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

Joab replied, &#8220;May the <sc>Lordsc> make his army<n id="1" /> 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?&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

Joab reported to David the number of warriors.<n id="1" /> In all Israel there were 1,100,000<n id="2" /> sword-wielding soldiers; Judah alone had 470,000 sword-wielding soldiers.<n id="3" />

Ornan told David, &#8220;You can have it!<n id="1" /> My master, the king, may do what he wants.<n id="2" /> 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.&#8221;

<p class="bodytext">David said, &#8220;My son Solomon is just an inexperienced young man,<n id="1" /> and the temple to be built for the <sc>Lordsc> must be especially magnificent so it will become famous and be considered splendid by all the nations.<n id="2" /> Therefore I will make preparations for its construction.&#8221; So David made extensive preparations before he died.p>

Look, you will have a son, who will be a peaceful man.<n id="1" /> I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side.<n id="2" /> Indeed, Solomon<n id="3" /> will be his name; I will give Israel peace and quiet during his reign.<n id="4" />

<p class="bodytext">Their job was to help Aaron&#8217;s descendants in the service of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;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&#8217;s temple.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God&#8217;s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king.

<p class="bodytext">As for the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 respected men, were assigned responsibilities in Israel west of the Jordan; they did the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s work and the king&#8217;s service.p>

Jeriah had 2,700 relatives who were respected family leaders.<n id="1" /> 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.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="bodytext">David said to his son Solomon: &#8220;Be strong and brave! Do it! Don&#8217;t be afraid and don&#8217;t panic!<n id="1" /> For the <sc>Lordsc> God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you or abandon you before all the work for the service of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple is finished.

<t /><p class="bodytext">King David said to the entire assembly: &#8220;My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man,<n id="1" /> and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the <sc>Lordsc> God.

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts<n id="1" /> and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives<n id="2" /> I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.

<t /><p class="bodytext">The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the <sc>Lordsc> (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel.

three<n id="1" /> years of famine, or three months being chased by your enemies and struck down by their swords,<n id="2" /> or three days being struck down by the <sc>Lordsc>, during which a plague will invade the land and the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s messenger will destroy throughout Israel&#8217;s territory.&#8217;<n id="3" /> Now, decide what I should tell the one who sent me.&#8221;