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

He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. ¹  His son Solomon succeeded him.

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.

During the time of Saul they attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They took over their territory in the entire eastern region of Gilead. ¹ 

The half-tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan as far as Baal Hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. They grew in number.

Within the territory of the tribe of Benjamin they were allotted ¹  Geba and its pasturelands, Alemeth and its pasturelands, and Anathoth and its pasturelands. Their clans were allotted thirteen cities in all.

They transported the ark on a new cart from the house of Abinadab; Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart,

David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated ¹  his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

When God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

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.

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.”

But David could not go before it to seek God’s will, for he was afraid of the sword of the Lord’s messenger.

The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; ¹  King David was also very happy. ² 

For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; ¹  our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security. ² 

When all the Israelites who were in the valley saw that the army ¹  had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. The Philistines came and occupied them.

Abishai the brother of Joab was head of the three ¹  elite warriors. He killed three hundred men with his spear ²  and gained fame along with the three elite warriors. ³ 

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed ¹  king of all Israel, all the Philistines marched up to confront him. ²  When David heard about it, he marched out against ³  them.

When the Ammonites realized that David was disgusted with them, ¹  Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents ²  of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah. ³ 

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. ¹ 

When the Arameans realized they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River, ¹  led by Shophach the commanding general of Hadadezer’s army. ²