The whole assembly agreed to do this, ¹  for the proposal seemed right to all the people. ² 

When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s name.

Then all the people returned to their homes, and David went to pronounce a blessing on his family. ¹ 

He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.

He removed the city’s residents and made them do hard labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. ¹  This was his policy ²  with all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.

They stripped his corpse, and then carried off his head and his armor. They sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines proclaiming the news to their idols and their people.

May the Lord God of Israel be praised, in the future and forevermore. ¹  Then all the people said, “We agree! ²  Praise the Lord!”

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 

David told Joab and the leaders of the army, ¹  “Go, count the number of warriors ²  from Beer Sheba to Dan. Then bring back a report to me so I may know how many we have.” ³ 

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

David said to Ornan, “Sell me the threshing floor ¹  so I can build ²  on it an altar for the Lord – I’ll pay top price ³  – so that the plague may be removed ⁴  from the people.”

Here are the divisions of the priests and Levites who will perform all the service of God’s temple. All the willing and skilled men are ready to assist you in all the work and perform their service. ¹  The officials and all the people are ready to follow your instructions.” ²