Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close NET

1 Chronicles 26-29
New English Translation

Divisions of Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah, son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

2 Meshelemiah’s sons:

The firstborn Zechariah, the second Jediael, the third Zebadiah, the fourth Jathniel, 3 the fifth Elam, the sixth Jehohanan, and the seventh Elihoenai.

4 Obed-Edom’s sons:

The firstborn Shemaiah, the second Jehozabad, the third Joah, the fourth Sakar, the fifth Nethanel, 5 the sixth Ammiel, the seventh Issachar, and the eighth Peullethai. (Indeed, God blessed Obed-Edom.[a])

6 His son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders of their families, for they were highly respected. 7 The sons of Shemaiah:

Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives[b] Elihu and Semakiah were also respected.

8 All these were the descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were respected men, capable of doing their responsibilities. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom.

9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives who were respected—eighteen in all.

10 Hosah, one of the descendants of Merari, had sons:

The firstborn Shimri (he was not actually the firstborn, but his father gave him that status), 11 the second Hilkiah, the third Tebaliah, and the fourth Zechariah. All Hosah’s sons and relatives numbered thirteen.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their leaders, had assigned responsibilities, like their relatives, as they served in the Lord’s temple.

13 They cast lots, both young and old, according to their families, to determine which gate they would be responsible for.[c] 14 The lot for the east gate went to Shelemiah.[d] They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise adviser, and the lot for the north gate went to him. 15 Obed-Edom was assigned the south gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses. 16 Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate, along with the Shalleketh gate on the upper road. One guard was adjacent to another.[e] 17 Each day there were six Levites posted on the east, four on the north, and four on the south. At the storehouses they were posted in pairs. 18 At the court on the west there were four posted on the road and two at the court. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

Supervisors of the Storehouses

20 Their fellow Levites were[f] in charge of the storehouses[g] in God’s temple and the storehouses containing consecrated items. 21 The descendants of Ladan,[h] who were descended from Gershon through Ladan and were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, included Jehieli[i] 22 and the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the storehouses in the Lord’s temple.

23 As for the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites:

24 Shebuel[j] son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was the supervisor of the storehouses. 25 His relatives through Eliezer included: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son, and Shelomith[k] his son. 26 Shelomith[l] and his relatives were in charge of all the storehouses containing the consecrated items dedicated by King David, the family leaders who led units of a thousand and a hundred, and the army officers. 27 They had dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to be used for repairs on the Lord’s temple. 28 They were also in charge of everything dedicated by Samuel the prophet,[m] Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah; Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of everything that had been dedicated.

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

30 As for the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 respected men, were assigned responsibilities in Israel west of the Jordan; they did the Lord’s work and the king’s service.

31 As for the Hebronites: Jeriah was the leader of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, they examined the records and discovered[o] there were highly respected men in Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had 2,700 relatives who were respected family leaders.[p] 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.[q]

Leaders of the Army

27 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 troops.[r]

2 Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. His division consisted of 24,000 troops. 3 He was a descendant of Perez; he was in charge of all the army officers for the first month.

4 Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division assigned the second month; Mikloth was the next in rank.[s] His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

5 The third army commander, assigned the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was the leader of his division, which consisted of 24,000 troops. 6 Benaiah was the leader of the thirty warriors and his division; his son was Ammizabad.[t]

7 The fourth, assigned the fourth month, was Asahel, brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah succeeded him.[u] His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

8 The fifth, assigned the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

9 The sixth, assigned the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

10 The seventh, assigned the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

11 The eighth, assigned the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

12 The ninth, assigned the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

13 The tenth, assigned the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

14 The eleventh, assigned the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

15 The twelfth, assigned the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, a descendant of Othniel. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.

16 The officers of the Israelite tribes:

Eliezer son of Zikri was the leader of the Reubenites,

Shephatiah son of Maacah led the Simeonites,

17 Hashabiah son of Kemuel led the Levites,

Zadok led the descendants of Aaron,

18 Elihu, a brother of David, led Judah,

Omri son of Michael led Issachar,

19 Ishmaiah son of Obadiah led Zebulun,

Jerimoth son of Azriel led Naphtali,

20 Hoshea son of Azaziah led the Ephraimites,

Joel son of Pedaiah led the half-tribe of Manasseh,

21 Iddo son of Zechariah led the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead,

Jaasiel son of Abner led Benjamin,

22 Azarel son of Jeroham led Dan.

These were the commanders of the Israelite tribes.

23 David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah started to count the men but did not finish. God was angry with Israel[v] because of this, so the number was not recorded in the scroll[w] called The Annals of King David.

Royal Officials

25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses;

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the towns, and in the towers.

26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the land.[x]

27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards;

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the wine stored in the vineyards.[y]

28 Baal Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills;[z]

Joash was in charge of the storehouses of olive oil.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the cattle grazing in Sharon;

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the cattle in the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels;

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the sheep.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise adviser and scribe;[aa]

Jehiel son of Hacmoni cared for[ab] the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophel was the king’s adviser;

Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant.[ac]

34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.

Joab was the commanding general of the king’s army.

David Commissions Solomon to Build the Temple

28 David assembled in Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, including the commanders of the tribes, the commanders of the army divisions that served the king, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, the officials who were in charge of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, the eunuchs, and the warriors, including the most skilled of them.

2 King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the Lord’s covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God.[ad] I have made the preparations for building it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor me,[ae] for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.’ 4 The Lord God of Israel chose me out of my father’s entire family to become king over Israel and have a permanent dynasty.[af] Indeed,[ag] he chose Judah as leader, and my father’s family within Judah, and then he picked me out from among my father’s sons and made me king over all Israel.[ah] 5 From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel.[ai] 6 He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day.’[aj] 8 So now, in the sight of all Israel, the Lord’s assembly, and in the hearing of our God, I say this:[ak] Carefully observe[al] all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may possess this good land and may leave it as a permanent inheritance for your children after you.

9 “And you, Solomon my son, obey[am] the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit,[an] for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him,[ao] but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. 10 Realize[ap] now that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it!”

11 David gave to his son Solomon the blueprints for the temple porch,[aq] its buildings, its treasuries,[ar] its upper areas, its inner rooms, and the room[as] for atonement. 12 He gave him[at] the blueprints of all he envisioned[au] for the courts of the Lord’s temple, all the surrounding rooms, the storehouses of God’s temple, and the storehouses for the holy items.

13 He gave him the regulations[av] for the divisions of priests and Levites, for all the assigned responsibilities within the Lord’s temple, and for all the items used in the service of the Lord’s temple.

14 He gave him[aw] the prescribed weight for all the gold items to be used in various types of service in the Lord’s temple, for all the silver items to be used in various types of service,[ax] 15 for the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps, for the silver lampstands, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps, according to the prescribed use of each lampstand, 16 for the gold used in the display tables, including the amount to be used in each table, for the silver to be used in the silver tables, 17 for the pure gold used for the meat forks, bowls, and jars, for the small gold bowls, including the weight for each bowl, for the small silver bowls, including the weight for each bowl, 18 and for the refined gold of the incense altar.

He gave him[ay] the blueprint for the seat[az] of the gold cherubim that spread their wings[ba] and provide shelter for the ark of the Lord’s covenant.

19 David said,[bb] “All this I put in writing as the Lord directed me and gave me insight regarding the details of the blueprints.”[bc]

20 David said to his son Solomon: “Be strong and brave! Do it! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic![bd] For the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you or abandon you before all the work for the service of the Lord’s temple is finished. 21 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.[be] The officials and all the people are ready to follow your instructions.”[bf]

The People Contribute to the Project

29 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man,[bg] and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. 2 So I have made every effort[bh] to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood,[bi] as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster. 3 Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple. 4 This includes 3,000 talents[bj] of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 5 for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”

6 The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly. 7 They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents[bk] and 10,000 darics[bl] of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 All who possessed precious[bm] stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude;[bn] King David was also very happy.[bo]

David Praises the Lord

10 David praised the Lord before the entire assembly:[bp]

“O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore! 11 O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign[bq] over all the sky and earth! You, Lord, have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler[br] of all. 12 You are the source of wealth and honor;[bs] you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.[bt] 13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!

14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much?[bu] Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.[bv] 15 For we are resident foreigners and temporary settlers[bw] in your presence, as all our ancestors were;[bx] our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security.[by] 16 O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughts[bz] and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives[ca] I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you. 18 O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always maintain these motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.[cb] 19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”[cc]

20 David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.

David Designates Solomon King

21 The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel. 22 They held a feast[cd] before the Lord that day and celebrated.[ce]

Then they designated Solomon, David’s son, as king a second time;[cf] before the Lord they anointed him as ruler and Zadok as priest. 23 Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him.[cg] 24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.[ch] 25 The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.[ci]

David’s Reign Comes to an End

26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 He reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalem thirty-three years. 28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor.[cj] His son Solomon succeeded him. 29 King David’s accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Samuel the prophet, the Annals of Nathan the prophet, and the Annals of Gad the prophet.[ck] 30 Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms.[cl]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 26:5 tn Heb “blessed him.”
  2. 1 Chronicles 26:7 tn Or “brothers.”
  3. 1 Chronicles 26:13 tn Heb “for a gate and a gate,” i.e., for each gate.
  4. 1 Chronicles 26:14 tn “Shelemiah” is a variant of the name “Meshelemiah” (cf. 26:2).
  5. 1 Chronicles 26:16 tn Heb “a guard alongside a guard.”
  6. 1 Chronicles 26:20 tc Following the LXX; the Hebrew reads, "And the Levites: Ahijah was"
  7. 1 Chronicles 26:20 tn Or “treasuries.”
  8. 1 Chronicles 26:21 tn “Ladan” is a variant of the name “Libni” (cf. 6:17).
  9. 1 Chronicles 26:21 tn “Jehieli” is a variant of the name “Jehiel” (cf. 23:8).
  10. 1 Chronicles 26:24 tn A number of English versions follow the LXX and Vulgate and read “Shubael” here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NCV, CEV).
  11. 1 Chronicles 26:25 tc The marginal reading (Qere) is “Shelomith,” while the consonantal text (Kethib) has “Shelomoth.”
  12. 1 Chronicles 26:26 tc The MT reads “Shelomoth”; the name is spelled “Shelomith” in the marginal reading (Qere) of v. 25.
  13. 1 Chronicles 26:28 tn Or “seer.”
  14. 1 Chronicles 26:29 tn The words “the temple” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
  15. 1 Chronicles 26:31 tn Heb “and they were searched and there were found in them.”
  16. 1 Chronicles 26:32 tn Heb “and his brothers, sons of respect, [were] 2,700, heads of fathers.”
  17. 1 Chronicles 26:32 tn Heb “with respect to every matter of God and matter of the king.”
  18. 1 Chronicles 27:1 tn Heb “and the sons of Israel according to their number, heads of the fathers and the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds and their officers who served the king with respect to every matter of the divisions, [that which] comes and goes out month by month according to all the months of the year, one division [was] twenty-four thousand.”
  19. 1 Chronicles 27:4 tn Heb “and his division and Mikloth, the leader.”
  20. 1 Chronicles 27:6 tn Heb “That [was the] Benaiah [who was] a warrior of the thirty and over the thirty, and his division, Ammizabad his son.”
  21. 1 Chronicles 27:7 tn Heb “[was] after him.”
  22. 1 Chronicles 27:24 tn Heb “anger was on Israel.”
  23. 1 Chronicles 27:24 tc The Hebrew text has “in the number,” but מִסְפַּר (mispar) is probably dittographic—note that the same word appears immediately before this. The form should be emended to בְּסֵפֶר (besefer, “in the scroll”).
  24. 1 Chronicles 27:26 tn Heb “with respect to the work of the land.” The phrase refers to agricultural labor; see HALOT 776-77 s.v. עֲבֹדָה.
  25. 1 Chronicles 27:27 tn Heb “and over [that] which is in the vineyards, with respect to the storehouses of the wine, [was] Zabdi the Shiphmite.”
  26. 1 Chronicles 27:28 sn The foothills (שְׁפֵלָה, shephelah) are the region between the Judean hill country and the Mediterranean coastal plain.
  27. 1 Chronicles 27:32 tn Heb “was an adviser, a man of insight, and he was a scribe.”
  28. 1 Chronicles 27:32 tn Heb “[was] with” (so KJV, ASV); NASB “tutored”; NRSV “attended”; NLT “was responsible to teach.’
  29. 1 Chronicles 27:33 tn Heb “friend.”
  30. 1 Chronicles 28:2 tn Heb “I, [it was] with my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for a stool of the feet of our God.”
  31. 1 Chronicles 28:3 tn Heb “for my name.”
  32. 1 Chronicles 28:4 tn Heb “out of all the house of my father to become king over all Israel permanently.”
  33. 1 Chronicles 28:4 tn Or “for.”
  34. 1 Chronicles 28:4 tn Heb “and among the sons of my father he desired to make me king over all Israel.”
  35. 1 Chronicles 28:5 tn Heb “from all my sons, for many sons the Lord has given to me, he chose Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.”
  36. 1 Chronicles 28:7 tn Heb “if he is strong to do my commands and my regulations like this day.”
  37. 1 Chronicles 28:8 tn The words “I say this” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  38. 1 Chronicles 28:8 tn Heb “Keep and seek”
  39. 1 Chronicles 28:9 tn Heb “know.”
  40. 1 Chronicles 28:9 tn Heb “with a complete heart and a willing being.”
  41. 1 Chronicles 28:9 tn Heb “he will allow himself to be found by you.”
  42. 1 Chronicles 28:10 tn Heb “see.”
  43. 1 Chronicles 28:11 tn Heb “for the porch.” The word “temple” was supplied in the translation for clarity.
  44. 1 Chronicles 28:11 tn Or “storerooms.”
  45. 1 Chronicles 28:11 tn Heb “house.”
  46. 1 Chronicles 28:12 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  47. 1 Chronicles 28:12 tn Heb “the pattern of all which was in the spirit with him.”
  48. 1 Chronicles 28:13 tn The words “he gave him the regulations” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  49. 1 Chronicles 28:14 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  50. 1 Chronicles 28:14 tn Heb “for the gold, by the weight, for the gold, for all the items of service and service, for all the items of silver by weight for all the items of service and service.”
  51. 1 Chronicles 28:18 tn The words “he gave him” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  52. 1 Chronicles 28:18 tc The Hebrew text reads מֶרְכָּבָה (merkavah, “chariot”), but the final he (ה) is probably dittographic—note the prefixed he (ה) on the immediately following word. It is preferable to read מֶרְכָּב (merkav, “seat”).
  53. 1 Chronicles 28:18 tc The Hebrew text does not have “their wings,” but the word כְּנָפַיִם (kenafayim, “wings”) has probably been accidentally omitted by homoioteleuton. Note that the immediately preceding לְפֹרְשִׂים (leforsim) also ends in mem (ם).
  54. 1 Chronicles 28:19 tn The words “David said” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
  55. 1 Chronicles 28:19 tn Heb “the whole in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, he gave insight [for] all the workings of the plan.”
  56. 1 Chronicles 28:20 tn Or perhaps, “don’t be discouraged.”
  57. 1 Chronicles 28:21 tn Heb “and with you in all work, for every willing [one] in skill for all service.”
  58. 1 Chronicles 28:21 tn Heb “and the officials and all the people to all your words.”
  59. 1 Chronicles 29:1 tn Heb “a young man and tender.”
  60. 1 Chronicles 29:2 tn Heb “and according to all my strength.”
  61. 1 Chronicles 29:2 tn Heb “the gold for the gold, and the silver for the silver, and the bronze for the bronze, the iron for the iron, and the wood for the wood.”
  62. 1 Chronicles 29:4 tn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6. Using the “light” standard talent of 67.3 lbs. (30.6 kg) as the standard for calculation, David had supplied 101 tons (91,800 kg) of gold and 235.5 tons (214,200 kg) of silver.
  63. 1 Chronicles 29:7 tn See the note on the word “talents” in 19:6. Using the “light” standard talent of 67.3 lbs. (30.6 kg) as the standard for calculation, the people donated 168.3 tons (153,000 kg) of gold, 336.5 tons (306,000 kg) of silver, 605.7 tons (550,800 kg) of bronze, and 3,365 tons (3,060,000 kg) of iron.
  64. 1 Chronicles 29:7 tn On the “daric” as a unit of measure, see BDB 204 s.v. דַּרְכְּמוֹן. Some have regarded the daric as a minted coin, perhaps even referring to the Greek drachma, but this is less likely.sn The daric was a unit of weight perhaps equal to between 8 and 9 grams (just under one-third of an ounce), so 10,000 darics of gold would weigh between 80 and 90 kilograms (between 176 and 198 pounds).
  65. 1 Chronicles 29:8 tn The word “precious” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
  66. 1 Chronicles 29:9 tn Heb “with a complete heart.”
  67. 1 Chronicles 29:9 tn Heb “And also David the king rejoiced with great joy.”
  68. 1 Chronicles 29:10 tn Heb “assembly, and David said.” The words “and David said” are redundant according to contemporary English style and have not been included in the translation.
  69. 1 Chronicles 29:11 tn The words “and sovereign” are added in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
  70. 1 Chronicles 29:11 tn Heb “head.”
  71. 1 Chronicles 29:12 tn Heb “wealth and honor [are] from before you.”
  72. 1 Chronicles 29:12 tn Heb “and in your hand [is] strength and might, and [it is] in your hand to magnify and to give strength to all.”
  73. 1 Chronicles 29:14 tn Heb “that we should retain strength to contribute like this.”
  74. 1 Chronicles 29:14 tn Heb “and from you we have given to you.”
  75. 1 Chronicles 29:15 tn The Hebrew terms ger (גֵּר; “resident foreigner”) and toshav (תּוֹשָׁב; “resident/dweller”) have similar meanings. They are not used here with the technical distinctions of most references in Mosaic Law. 1 Chron 29:15 takes up this language from Lev 25:23 where the terms emphasize that Israel would be a guest on God’s land. This is a privileged but dependent position; they did not own the land. Cf. also Ps 39:12 and Gen 23:4.
  76. 1 Chronicles 29:15 tn Heb “fathers” (also in vv. 18, 20).
  77. 1 Chronicles 29:15 tn Or perhaps “hope.”
  78. 1 Chronicles 29:17 tn Heb “a heart.”
  79. 1 Chronicles 29:17 tn Heb “with integrity of heart.”
  80. 1 Chronicles 29:18 tn Heb “keep this permanently with respect to the motive of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and make firm their heart to you.”
  81. 1 Chronicles 29:19 tn Heb “and to Solomon my son give a complete heart to keep your commands, your rules and your regulations, and to do everything, and to build the palace [for] which I have prepared.”
  82. 1 Chronicles 29:22 tn Heb “they ate and drank.”
  83. 1 Chronicles 29:22 tn Heb “with great joy.”
  84. 1 Chronicles 29:22 sn See 1 Chr 23:1, where David had previously designated Solomon as king over Israel.
  85. 1 Chronicles 29:23 tn Heb “listened to him.”
  86. 1 Chronicles 29:24 tn Heb “placed a hand under Solomon the king.”
  87. 1 Chronicles 29:25 tn Heb “and gave to him glory of kingship which there was not concerning every king before him over Israel.”
  88. 1 Chronicles 29:28 tn Heb “satisfied with days, wealth, and honor.”
  89. 1 Chronicles 29:29 tn Heb “and the events of David the king, the former and the latter, look they are written in the annals of Samuel the seer, and in the annals of Nathan the prophet, and in the annals of Gad the seer.”
  90. 1 Chronicles 29:30 tn Heb “with all his reign and his might, and the times which passed over him and over Israel and over all the kingdoms of the lands.”
Listen to 1 Chronicles 26-29
Close NIV

1 Chronicles 26-29
New International Version

The Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:(A)

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

2 Meshelemiah had sons:

Zechariah(B) the firstborn,

Jediael the second,

Zebadiah the third,

Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth,

Jehohanan the sixth

and Eliehoenai the seventh.

4 Obed-Edom also had sons:

Shemaiah the firstborn,

Jehozabad the second,

Joah the third,

Sakar the fourth,

Nethanel the fifth,

5 Ammiel the sixth,

Issachar the seventh

and Peullethai the eighth.

(For God had blessed Obed-Edom.(C))

6 Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men. 8 All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all.

9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all.

10 Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first),(D) 11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering(E) in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. 13 Lots(F) were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14 The lot for the East Gate(G) fell to Shelemiah.[a] Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah,(H) a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom,(I) and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

Guard was alongside of guard: 17 There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. 18 As for the court[b] to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court[c] itself.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.(J)

The Treasurers and Other Officials

20 Their fellow Levites(K) were[d] in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.(L)

21 The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite,(M) were Jehieli, 22 the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries(N) of the temple of the Lord.

23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:(O)

24 Shubael,(P) a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith(Q) his son. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated(R) by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. 27 Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord. 28 And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer(S) and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.

29 From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges(T) over Israel.

30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah(U) and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service. 31 As for the Hebronites,(V) Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth(W) year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Army Divisions

27 This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

2 In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam(X) son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. 3 He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

4 In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai(Y) the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

5 The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah(Z) son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. 6 This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

7 The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel(AA) the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

8 The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth(AB) the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

9 The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira(AC) the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez(AD) the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai(AE) the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer(AF) the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai(AG) the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah(AH) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai(AI) the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel.(AJ) There were 24,000 men in his division.

Leaders of the Tribes

16 The leaders of the tribes of Israel:

over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri;

over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;

17 over Levi: Hashabiah(AK) son of Kemuel;

over Aaron: Zadok;(AL)

18 over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David;

over Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah;

over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah;

over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

22 over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham.

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less,(AM) because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars(AN) in the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering,(AO) and the number was not entered in the book[e] of the annals of King David.

The King’s Overseers

25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig(AP) trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.(AQ)

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite(AR) was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophel(AS) was the king’s counselor.

Hushai(AT) the Arkite was the king’s confidant. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.(AU)

Joab(AV) was the commander of the royal army.

David’s Plans for the Temple

28 David summoned(AW) all the officials(AX) of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the warriors and all the brave fighting men.

2 King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my fellow Israelites, my people. I had it in my heart(AY) to build a house as a place of rest(AZ) for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool(BA) of our God, and I made plans to build it.(BB) 3 But God said to me,(BC) ‘You are not to build a house for my Name,(BD) because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’(BE)

4 “Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me(BF) from my whole family(BG) to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah(BH) as leader, and from the tribe of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.(BI) 5 Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many(BJ)—he has chosen my son Solomon(BK) to sit on the throne(BL) of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build(BM) my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son,(BN) and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws,(BO) as is being done at this time.’

8 “So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel(BP) and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands(BQ) of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.(BR)

9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion(BS) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart(BT) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,(BU) he will be found by you; but if you forsake(BV) him, he will reject(BW) you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans(BX) for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit(BY) had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.(BZ) 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions(CA) of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands(CB) and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table(CC) for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls(CD) and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense.(CE) He also gave him the plan for the chariot,(CF) that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow(CG) the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details(CH) of the plan.(CI)”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous,(CJ) and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake(CK) you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.(CL) 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled(CM) in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”

Gifts for Building the Temple

29 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced.(CN) The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold(CO) for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise,[f](CP) stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.(CQ) 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided(CR) for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents[g] of gold (gold of Ophir)(CS) and seven thousand talents[h] of refined silver,(CT) for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”

6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials(CU) in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.(CV) 7 They(CW) gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents[i] and ten thousand darics[j] of gold, ten thousand talents[k] of silver, eighteen thousand talents[l] of bronze and a hundred thousand talents[m] of iron. 8 Anyone who had precious stones(CX) gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.(CY) 9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly(CZ) to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer

10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord,
    the God of our father Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power(DA)
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.(DB)
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.(DC)
12 Wealth and honor(DD) come from you;
    you are the ruler(DE) of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
    and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?(DF) Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.(DG) 15 We are foreigners and strangers(DH) in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow,(DI) without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart(DJ) and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.(DK) 18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion(DL) to keep your commands, statutes and decrees(DM) and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”(DN)

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.

Solomon Acknowledged as King(DO)

21 The next day they made sacrifices to the Lord and presented burnt offerings to him:(DP) a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.(DQ) 22 They ate and drank with great joy(DR) in the presence of the Lord that day.

Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the Lord to be ruler and Zadok(DS) to be priest. 23 So Solomon sat(DT) on the throne(DU) of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons,(DV) pledged their submission to King Solomon.

25 The Lord highly exalted(DW) Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor(DX) such as no king over Israel ever had before.(DY)

The Death of David(DZ)

26 David son of Jesse was king(EA) over all Israel.(EB) 27 He ruled over Israel forty years—seven in Hebron(EC) and thirty-three in Jerusalem.(ED) 28 He died(EE) at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.(EF)

29 As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer,(EG) the records of Nathan(EH) the prophet and the records of Gad(EI) the seer, 30 together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 26:14 A variant of Meshelemiah
  2. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  4. 1 Chronicles 26:20 Septuagint; Hebrew As for the Levites, Ahijah was
  5. 1 Chronicles 27:24 Septuagint; Hebrew number
  6. 1 Chronicles 29:2 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  7. 1 Chronicles 29:4 That is, about 110 tons or about 100 metric tons
  8. 1 Chronicles 29:4 That is, about 260 tons or about 235 metric tons
  9. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 190 tons or about 170 metric tons
  10. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 185 pounds or about 84 kilograms
  11. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 380 tons or about 340 metric tons
  12. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 675 tons or about 610 metric tons
  13. 1 Chronicles 29:7 That is, about 3,800 tons or about 3,400 metric tons
Next
1 Chronicles 25
2 Chronicles 1
Next
dropdown
New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV