So I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord, my God, as the Lord said to David my father: Your son whom I will put upon your throne in your place shall build the house for my name.

When Hiram had heard the words of Solomon, he was overjoyed, and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given David a wise son over this numerous people.”

As to this house you are building—if you walk in my statutes, carry out my ordinances, and observe all my commands, walking in them, I will fulfill toward you my word which I spoke to David your father.

When all the work undertaken by King Solomon in the house of the Lord was completed, he brought in the votive offerings of his father David, and put the silver, gold, and other articles in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

Chapter 8

Dedication of the Temple. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the princes in the ancestral houses of the Israelites. They came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the city of David (which is Zion).

He said: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his own mouth spoke a promise to David my father and by his hand fulfilled it, saying:

Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city out of any tribe of Israel for the building of a house, that my name might be there; but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.

When David my father wished to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,

Now the Lord has fulfilled the word he spoke: I have succeeded David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord has spoken, and I have built this house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

the covenant that you kept toward your servant, David my father, what you promised him; your mouth has spoken and your hand has fulfilled this very day.

And now, Lord, God of Israel, keep toward your servant, David my father, what you promised: There shall never be wanting someone from your line to sit before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your descendants keep to their way, walking before me as you have.

Now, God of Israel, may the words you spoke to your servant, David my father, be confirmed.

On the eighth day he dismissed the people, who blessed the king and went to their tents, rejoicing and glad of heart because of all the blessings the Lord had given to David his servant and to his people Israel.

As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, wholeheartedly and uprightly, doing all that I have commanded you, keeping my statutes and ordinances,

I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father: There shall never be wanting someone from your line on the throne of Israel.

As soon as Pharaoh’s daughter went up from the City of David to her house, which he had built for her, Solomon built Millo.

When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not entirely with the Lord, his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and he did not follow the Lord unreservedly as David his father had done.

But I will not do this during your lifetime, for the sake of David your father; I will tear it away from your son’s hand.

Nor will I tear away the whole kingdom. I will give your son one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen. Threats to Solomon’s Kingdom.

Earlier, when David had conquered Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, while going to bury the slain, killed every male in Edom.

When Hadad in Egypt heard that David rested with his ancestors and that Joab, the commander of the army, was dead, he said to Pharaoh, “Give me leave to return to my own land.”

when David was slaughtering them. Rezon gathered men about him and became leader of a marauding band. They went to Damascus, settled there, and made him king in Damascus.

This is how he came to rebel. King Solomon was building Millo, closing up the breach of the City of David, his father.

He shall have one tribe for the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

For they have forsaken me and have bowed down to Astarte, goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh, god of Moab, and Milcom, god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in my ways or done what is right in my eyes, according to my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.

Yet I will not take any of the kingdom from Solomon himself, but will keep him a prince as long as he lives, for the sake of David my servant, whom I have chosen, who kept my commandments and statutes.

I will give his son one tribe, that David my servant may always have a holding before me in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen, to set my name there.

If, then, you heed all that I command you, walking in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments like David my servant, I will be with you. I will build a lasting house for you, just as I did for David; I will give Israel to you.

I will humble David’s line for this, but not forever.”

Solomon rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David, his father, and Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king: “What share have we in David? We have no heritage in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now look to your own house, David.” So Israel went off to their tents.

And so Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to an assembly and made him king over all Israel. None remained loyal to the house of David except the tribe of Judah alone. Divine Approval.

Jeroboam thought to himself: “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.

He cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord: “Altar, altar, thus says the Lord: A child shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, who shall slaughter upon you the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and they shall burn human bones upon you.”

I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. Yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with his whole heart, doing only what is right in my sight.

Rehoboam rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. His son Abijam succeeded him as king.

He followed all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the Lord, his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Yet for David’s sake the Lord, his God, gave him a holding in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure,

because David had done what was right in the sight of the Lord and did not disobey any of his commands as long as he lived, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

Abijam rested with his ancestors; they buried him in the City of David, and his son Asa succeeded him as king.

Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord like David his father,

Asa rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David his father, and his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.

Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David his father, and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king. Reign of Ahaziah.

Even so, the Lord was unwilling to destroy Judah, for the sake of his servant David. For he had promised David that he would leave him a holding in the Lord’s presence for all time.

Joram rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David, and his son Ahaziah succeeded him as king. Reign of Ahaziah of Judah.

His servants brought him in a chariot to Jerusalem and they buried him in his grave with his ancestors in the City of David.

He gave the captains King David’s spear and quivers, which were in the house of the Lord.

Jozacar, son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad, son of Shomer, were the officials who struck and killed him. He was buried with his ancestors in the City of David, and his son Amaziah succeeded him as king.

He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, though not like David his father. He did just as his father Joash had done,

He was brought back on horses and was buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors in the City of David.

Azariah rested with his ancestors, and was buried with them in the City of David, and his son Jotham succeeded him as king.

Jotham rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David his father, and his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord his God, as David his father had done.

Ahaz rested with his ancestors; he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David, and his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam, son of Nebat, king; but Jeroboam lured the Israelites away from the Lord, causing them to commit a great sin.

He did what was right in the Lord’s sight, just as David his father had done.

I will shield and save this city for my own sake and the sake of David my servant.”

Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people: “Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Now I am healing you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

I will add to your life fifteen years. I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; I will be a shield to this city for my own sake and the sake of David my servant.”

The Asherah idol he had made, he placed in the Lord’s house, of which the Lord had said to David and to his son Solomon: In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I shall set my name forever.

He did what was right in the Lord’s sight, walking in the way of David his father, not turning right or left.

Ozem, the sixth, and David, the seventh.

Chapter 3

These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel, by Abigail of Carmel;

All these were sons of David, in addition to other sons by concubines; and Tamar was their sister.

Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Bethbiri, and Shaaraim. Until the reign of David, these were their cities

The following were established by David for the service of song in the Lord’s house at the time when the ark had a resting place.

The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of the ancestral houses of Tola, mighty warriors in their generations. In the time of David they numbered twenty-two thousand six hundred.

In all, those who were chosen for gatekeepers at the threshold were two hundred and twelve. They were inscribed in the family records of their villages. David and Samuel the seer had established them in their position of trust.

II. The History of David

Genealogy of Saul. Jeiel, the founder of Gibeon, dwelt in Gibeon; his wife’s name was Maacah.

rather than from the Lord. Therefore the Lord took his life, and turned his kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.

Chapter 11

David Is Made King. Then all Israel gathered around David in Hebron, and they said: “Look! We are your bone and your flesh.

Then all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and at Hebron David made a covenant with them in the presence of the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, in accordance with the word of the Lord given through Samuel.

Jerusalem Captured. Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the inhabitants of the land were called Jebusites.

The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” David nevertheless captured the fortress of Zion, which is the City of David.

David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be made chief and captain.” Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the first to attack; and so he became chief.

David took up residence in the fortress, which therefore was called the City of David.

David became ever more powerful, for the Lord of hosts was with him.

David’s Warriors. These were David’s chief warriors who, together with all Israel, supported him in his reign in order to make him king, according to the Lord’s word concerning Israel.

Here is the list of David’s warriors: Ishbaal, the son of Hachamoni, chief of the Three. He brandished his spear over three hundred, whom he had slain in a single encounter.

He was with David at Pas-dammim, where the Philistines had massed for battle. There was a plot of land full of barley. The people were fleeing before the Philistines,

Three of the Thirty chiefs went down to the rock, to David, who was in the cave of Adullam while the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

David was then in the stronghold, and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.

David had a strong craving, and said, “If only someone would give me a drink of water from the cistern by the gate of Bethlehem!”

Thereupon the Three broke through the encampment of the Philistines, drew water from the cistern by the gate of Bethlehem, and carried it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord,

but was more famous than any of the Thirty. However, he did not attain to the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

Chapter 12

David’s Early Followers. The following men came to David in Ziklag while he was still under banishment from Saul, son of Kish; they, too, were among the warriors who helped him in his battles.

Some of the Gadites also went over to David when he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were valiant warriors, experienced soldiers equipped with shield and spear, fearsome as lions, swift as gazelles on the mountains.

Some Benjaminites and Judahites also came to David at the stronghold.

David went out to meet them and addressed them in these words: “If you come peacefully, to help me, I am of a mind to have you join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors see and punish you.”

Then a spirit clothed Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he answered David: “We are yours, O David, we are with you, son of Jesse. Peace, peace to you, and peace to him who helps you; may your God be your helper!” So David received them and placed them among the leaders of his troops.

Men from Manasseh also deserted to David when he came with the Philistines to battle against Saul. However, he did not help the Philistines, for their lords took counsel and sent him home, saying, “At the cost of our heads he will desert to his master Saul.”

They helped David by taking charge of his troops, for they were all warriors and became commanders of his army.

And from day to day men kept coming to David’s help until there was a vast encampment, like God’s own encampment.

The Assembly at Hebron. This is the muster of the detachments of armed troops that came to David at Hebron to bring Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the Lord had ordained.

Of the half-tribe of Manasseh: eighteen thousand, designated by name to come and make David king.

All these soldiers, drawn up in battle order, came to Hebron with the resolute intention of making David king over all Israel. The rest of Israel was likewise of one mind to make David king.

They remained with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had prepared for them.

Chapter 13

Transfer of the Ark. After David had taken counsel with his commanders of thousands and of hundreds, that is, with every leader,

Then David assembled all Israel, from Shihor of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, of Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which was known by the name “Lord enthroned upon the cherubim.”

while David and all Israel danced before God with all their might, with singing, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

David was angry because the Lord’s anger had broken out against Uzzah. Therefore that place has been called Perez-uzzah even to this day.

David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring in the ark of God to me?”

Therefore he did not take the ark with him into the City of David, but deposited it instead at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Chapter 14

David in Jerusalem. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent envoys to David along with cedar wood, and masons and carpenters to build him a house.

David now knew that the Lord had truly established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was greatly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

David took other wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters.

The Philistine Wars. When the Philistines had heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, they marched out in force looking for him. But when David heard of this, he went out against them.

David inquired of God, “Shall I attack the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my power?” The Lord answered him, “Attack, for I have delivered them into your power.”

So they attacked, at Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “By my hand God has broken through my enemies just as water breaks through a dam.” Therefore that place was called Baal-perazim.

The Philistines abandoned their gods there, and David ordered them to be burnt.

and again David inquired of God. But God answered him: Do not try to pursue them, but go around them and come against them near the balsam trees.

David did as God commanded him, and they routed the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.

Thus David’s fame was spread abroad through every land, and the Lord put the fear of him on all the nations.

Chapter 15

Preparations for Moving the Ark. David built houses for himself in the City of David and prepared a place for the ark of God, pitching a tent for it there.

Then David assembled all Israel to Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place, which he had prepared for it.

David also convened the sons of Aaron and the Levites:

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

David commanded the commanders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers and to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, to make a loud sound of rejoicing.

The Ark Comes to Jerusalem. Thus David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joy from the house of Obed-edom.

David was vested in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of song; David was also wearing a linen ephod.

But as the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal, daughter of Saul, looked down from her window, and when she saw King David leaping and dancing, she despised him in her heart.

Chapter 16

They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings to God.

When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and communion offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord,

David’s Directives for the Levites. He then appointed certain Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to celebrate, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.

On that same day, David appointed Asaph and his brothers to sing for the first time these praises of the Lord:

Then David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly according to the daily ritual;

Then all the people departed, each to their own homes, and David returned to bless his household.

Chapter 17

The Oracle of Nathan. After David had taken up residence in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tentcloth.”

Nathan replied to David, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for God is with you.”

Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: It is not you who are to build the house for me to dwell in.

Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.

In accordance with all these words and this whole vision Nathan spoke to David.

David’s Thanksgiving. Then King David came in and sat in the Lord’s presence, and said: “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far?

What more can David say to you? You have known your servant.

Chapter 18

David’s Victories. After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and he took Gath and its towns away from the Philistines.

He also defeated Moab, and the Moabites became David’s subjects, paying tribute.

David then defeated Hadadezer, king of Zobah, toward Hamath, who was on his way to set up his victory stele at the river Euphrates.

David captured from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left one hundred for his chariots.

The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, but David also defeated twenty-two thousand of their men in Aram.

Then David set up garrisons in the Damascus region of Aram, and the Arameans became David’s subjects, paying tribute. Thus the Lord made David victorious in all his campaigns.

David took the golden shields that were carried by Hadadezer’s attendants and brought them to Jerusalem.

David likewise took away from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, large quantities of bronze; Solomon later used it to make the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze.

When Tou, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah,

he sent his son Hadoram to wish King David well and to congratulate him on having waged a victorious war against Hadadezer; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. He also brought gold, silver and bronze articles of every sort.

These also King David consecrated to the Lord along with all the silver and gold that he had taken from the nations: from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

He set up garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. Thus the Lord brought David victory in all his undertakings.

David’s Officials. David was king over all Israel; he dispensed justice and right to all his people.

Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the chief assistants to the king.

David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash, for his father showed kindness to me.” Therefore he sent envoys to console him over his father. But when David’s servants had entered the land of the Ammonites to console Hanun,

the Ammonite princes said to Hanun, “Do you think David is doing this—sending you these consolers—to honor your father? Have not his servants rather come to you to explore the land, spying it out for its overthrow?”

So Hanun seized David’s servants and had them shaved and their garments cut off halfway at the hips. Then he sent them away.

David was told about the men, and he sent word for them to be intercepted, for the men had been greatly disgraced. “Remain at Jericho,” the king told them, “until your beards have grown again; then come back here.”

When the Ammonites realized that they had put themselves in bad odor with David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram Naharaim, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah.

When David heard of this, he sent Joab and his whole army of warriors against them.

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and met them. With the army of David drawn up to fight the Arameans, they gave battle.

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their chariot fighters and forty thousand of their foot soldiers; he also put to death Shophach, the commander of the army.

When the vassals of Hadadezer saw themselves vanquished by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans refused to come to the aid of the Ammonites.

Chapter 20

At the turn of the year, the time when kings go to war, Joab led the army out in force, laid waste the land of the Ammonites, and went on to besiege Rabbah; David himself remained in Jerusalem. When Joab had attacked Rabbah and destroyed it,

David took the crown of Milcom from the idol’s head. It was found to weigh a talent of gold, with precious stones on it; this crown David wore on his own head. He also brought out a great amount of spoil from the city.

He deported the people of the city and set them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David dealt thus with all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and his whole army returned to Jerusalem.

He defied Israel, and Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, slew him.

These were the descendants of the Rephaim of Gath who died at the hands of David and his servants.

Chapter 21

David’s Census; the Plague. A satan rose up against Israel, and he incited David to take a census of Israel.

David therefore said to Joab and to the other generals of the army, “Go, number the Israelites from Beer-sheba to Dan, and report back to me that I may know their number.”

Joab reported the census figures to David: of men capable of wielding a sword, there were in all Israel one million one hundred thousand, and in Judah four hundred and seventy thousand.

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in doing this thing. Take away your servant’s guilt, for I have acted very foolishly.”

Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, in these words:

Go, tell David: Thus says the Lord: I am laying out three options; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.

Accordingly, Gad went to David and said to him: “Thus says the Lord: Decide now—

Then David said to Gad: “I am in serious trouble. But let me fall into the hand of the Lord, whose mercy is very great, rather than into hands of men.”

When David raised his eyes, he saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, drawn sword in hand stretched out against Jerusalem. David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell face down,

and David prayed to God: “Was it not I who ordered the census of the people? I am the one who sinned, I did this wicked thing. But these sheep, what have they done? O Lord, my God, strike me and my father’s family, but do not afflict your people with this plague!”

Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to tell David to go up and set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

David went up at the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the Lord.

But as David came toward Ornan, he looked up and saw that it was David, and left the threshing floor and bowed down before David, his face to the ground.

David said to Ornan: “Sell me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build on it an altar to the Lord. Sell it to me at its full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.”

But Ornan said to David: “Take it as your own, and let my lord the king do what is good in his sight. See, I also give you the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I give it all to you.”

But King David replied to Ornan: “No! I will buy it from you properly, at its full price. I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor bring burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

So David paid Ornan six hundred shekels of gold for the place.

Altar for Burnt Offerings. David then built an altar there to the Lord, and sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings. He called upon the Lord, who answered him by sending down fire from heaven upon the altar for burnt offerings.

Once David saw that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he continued to offer sacrifices there.

But David could not go into his presence to inquire of God, for he was fearful of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Chapter 22

Thus David said, “This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar for burnt offerings for Israel.”

David then ordered that the resident aliens in the land of Israel should be brought together, and he appointed them stonecutters to hew out stone blocks for building the house of God.

David also laid up large stores of iron to make nails for the doors of the gates, and clamps, together with so much bronze that it could not be weighed,

and cedar trees without number. The Sidonians and Tyrians brought great stores of cedar logs to David.

David said: “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced; but the house that is to be built for the Lord must be made so magnificent that it will be renowned and glorious in all lands. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” Thus before his death David laid up materials in abundance.

David said to Solomon: “My son, it was my purpose to build a house myself for the name of the Lord, my God.

Charge to the Officials. David also commanded all of the officials of Israel to help his son Solomon:

Chapter 23

The Levitical Divisions. When David had grown old and was near the end of his days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

four thousand were to be gatekeepers, and four thousand were to praise the Lord with the instruments which [David] had devised for praise.

David apportioned them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

David said: “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and has taken up his dwelling in Jerusalem forever.

For by David’s last words the Levites were enlisted from the time they were twenty years old.

David, with Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, a descendant of Ithamar, apportioned them their offices in the priestly service.

They too, in the same manner as their kinsmen, the sons of Aaron, cast lots in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the priestly and levitical families; the more important family did so in the same way as the less important one.

Chapter 25

The Singers. David and the leaders of the liturgy set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who prophesied to the accompaniment of lyres and harps and cymbals. This is the list of those who performed this service:

This Shelomith and his kinsmen oversaw all the treasures of the votive offerings dedicated by King David, the heads of the families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the commanders of the army;

Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was their chief according to their family records. In the fortieth year of David’s reign search was made, and there were found among them warriors at Jazer of Gilead.

His kinsmen were also men of substance, two thousand seven hundred heads of families. King David appointed them to the administration of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for everything pertaining to God and to the king.

for Judah, Eliab, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri, son of Michael;

David did not count those who were twenty years of age or younger, for the Lord had promised to multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens.

Joab, son of Zeruiah, began to take the census, but he did not complete it, for because of it wrath fell upon Israel. Therefore the number was not recorded in the book of chronicles of King David.

and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the overseers of King David’s possessions.

David’s Court. Jonathan, David’s uncle and a man of intelligence, was counselor and scribe; he and Jehiel, the son of Hachmoni, attended the king’s sons.

Chapter 28

The Assembly at Jerusalem. David assembled at Jerusalem all the commanders of Israel, the tribal commanders, the commanders of the divisions who were in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, those in command of all the king’s estates and possessions, and his sons, together with the courtiers, the warriors, and every person of substance.

King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my kinsmen and my people. It was my purpose to build a house of repose myself for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the footstool for the feet of our God; and I was preparing to build it.

Temple Plans Given to Solomon. Then David gave to his son Solomon the design of the portico and of the house itself, with its storerooms, its upper rooms and inner chambers, and the shrine containing the cover of the ark.

Then David said to his son Solomon: “Be strong and steadfast, and go to work; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you before you have completed all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

Chapter 29

Offerings for the Temple. King David then said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced; the work, however, is great, for this palace is not meant for human beings, but for the Lord God.

The people rejoiced over these free-will offerings, for they had been contributed to the Lord wholeheartedly. King David also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer. Then David blessed the Lord in the sight of the whole assembly. David said: “Blessed are you, Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.

Then David told the whole assembly, “Now bless the Lord your God!” And the whole assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their ancestors, bowing down in homage before the Lord and before the king.

and on that day they ate and drank in the Lord’s presence with great rejoicing. Solomon Anointed. Then for a second time they proclaimed David’s son Solomon king, and they anointed him for the Lord as ruler, and Zadok as priest.

Thereafter Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king succeeding his father David; he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.

All the commanders and warriors, and also all the other sons of King David, swore allegiance to King Solomon.

David’s Death. Thus David, the son of Jesse, had reigned over all Israel.

Now the deeds of King David, first and last, are recorded in the history of Samuel the seer, the history of Nathan the prophet, and the history of Gad the seer,

I. The Reign of Solomon

Chapter 1

Solomon at Gibeon. Solomon, son of David, strengthened his hold on the kingdom, for the Lord, his God, was with him, making him ever greater.

David had, however, brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem, where he had provided a place and pitched a tent for it;

Solomon answered God: “You have shown great favor to David my father, and you have made me king to succeed him.

Now, Lord God, may your word to David my father be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Moreover, Solomon sent this message to Huram, king of Tyre: “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build a house for his dwelling—

Now, send me men skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, in purple, crimson, and violet fabrics, and who know how to do engraved work, to join the skilled craftsmen who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father appointed.

He added: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for having given King David a wise son of intelligence and understanding, who will build a house for the Lord and also his own royal house.

son of a Danite woman and of a father from Tyre; he knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, with stone and wood, with purple, violet, fine linen, and crimson, and also how to do all kinds of engraved work and to devise every type of design that may be given him and your craftsmen and the craftsmen of my lord David your father.

Thereupon Solomon took a census of all the alien men resident in the land of Israel (following the census David his father had taken of them); they were found to number one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred.

Chapter 3

Building of the Temple. Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, which had been shown to David his father, in the place David had prepared, the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Chapter 5

Dedication of the Temple. When all the work undertaken by Solomon for the house of the Lord was completed, he brought in the votive offerings of David his father, putting the silver, the gold, and other articles in the treasuries of the house of God.

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the princes in the ancestral houses of the Israelites, to Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the City of David, which is Zion.

He said: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his own mouth spoke a promise to David my father and by his hand fulfilled it, saying:

but now I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.

When David my father wished to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,

“Now the Lord has fulfilled the word he spoke. I have succeeded David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord has said, and I have built this house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

the covenant that you kept toward your servant, David my father. That which you promised him, your mouth has spoken and your hand has fulfilled this very day.

And now, Lord, God of Israel, keep toward your servant, David my father, what you promised: There shall never be wanting someone from your line to sit before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your descendants keep to their way, walking by my law, as you have.

Now, Lord, God of Israel, may the words which you spoke to David your servant be confirmed.

Lord God, do not reject the plea of your anointed, remember the devotion of David, your servant.”

The priests were standing at their stations, as were the Levites, with the musical instruments of the Lord which King David had made to give thanks to the Lord, “whose love endures forever,” when David offered praise through them. The priests opposite them blew the trumpets and all Israel stood.

On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he dismissed the people to their tents, rejoicing and glad of heart because of all the blessings the Lord had given to David, to Solomon, and to his people Israel.

As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, doing all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and ordinances,

I will establish the throne of your kingship as I covenanted with David your father when I said, There shall never be wanting someone from your line as ruler in Israel.

Solomon’s Piety. Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the City of David to the house which he had built for her, for he said, “No wife of mine shall dwell in the house of David, king of Israel, for the places where the ark of the Lord has come are holy.”

And according to the ordinance of David his father he appointed the various divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites according to their functions of praise and attendance upon the priests, as the daily duty required. The gatekeepers by their divisions stood guard at each gate, since such was the command of David, the man of God.

Solomon rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David, his father, and Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king: “What share have we in David? We have no heritage in the son of Jesse. Everyone to your tents, Israel! Now look to your own house, David!” So all Israel went off to their tents,

And so Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

Thus they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam, son of Solomon, prevail for three years; for they walked in the way of David and Solomon three years.

Rehoboam’s Family. Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of Jerimoth, son of David and of Abihail, daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse.

Rehoboam rested with his ancestors; he was buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeded him as king.

Do you not know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given David kingship over Israel forever, to him and to his sons, by a covenant of salt?

Yet Jeroboam, son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon, son of David, arose and rebelled against his lord!

But now, do you think you are a match for the kingdom of the Lord led by the descendants of David, simply because you are a huge multitude and have with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods?

Abijah rested with his ancestors; they buried him in the City of David and his son Asa succeeded him as king. During his time, the land had ten years of peace.

They buried him in the tomb he had hewn for himself in the City of David, after laying him on a couch that was filled with spices and various kinds of aromatics compounded into an ointment; and they kindled a huge fire for him.

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the earlier ways of David his father, and did not seek the Baals.

Chapter 21

Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors; he was buried with them in the City of David. Jehoram, his son, succeeded him as king.

Even so, the Lord was unwilling to destroy the house of David because of the covenant he had made with David and because of his promise to leave him and his sons a holding for all time.

Jehoram Punished. A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet with this message: “Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: Because you have not walked in the way of your father Jehoshaphat, nor of Asa, king of Judah,

He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He departed unloved; and they buried him in the City of David, though not in the tombs of the kings.

The whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them: “Here is the king’s son who must reign, as the Lord promised concerning the sons of David.

Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears, shields, and bucklers of King David which were in the house of God.

Then Jehoiada gave the charge of the Lord’s house into the hands of the levitical priests, to whom David had assigned turns in the Lord’s house for sacrificing the burnt offerings of the Lord, as is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as David had provided.

They buried him in the City of David with the kings, because of the good he had done in Israel, especially for God and his house.

After the Arameans had departed from him, abandoning him to his many injuries, his servants conspired against him because of the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. They killed him on his sickbed. He was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David, and his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.

Chapter 28

Ahaz’s Misdeeds. Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord as David his father had done.

He did what was right in the Lord’s sight, just as David his father had done.

He stationed the Levites in the Lord’s house with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for this command was from the Lord through his prophets.

The Levites were stationed with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

Then Hezekiah ordered the burnt offering to be sacrificed on the altar. At the very moment the burnt offering began, they also began the song of the Lord, to the accompaniment of the trumpets and the instruments of David, king of Israel.

King Hezekiah and the princes then told the Levites to sing the praises of the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises till their joy was full, then fell down and worshiped.

There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like it in the city.

He then looked to his defenses: he rebuilt the wall where it was broken down, raised towers upon it, and built another wall outside. He strengthened the Millo of the City of David and made a great number of spears and shields.

This same Hezekiah stopped the upper outlet for water from Gihon and redirected it underground westward to the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

Hezekiah rested with his ancestors; he was buried at the approach to the tombs of the descendants of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king.

An idol he had made he placed in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon: In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I shall set my name forever.

Afterward he built an outer wall for the City of David to the west of Gihon in the valley, extending to the Fish Gate and encircling Ophel; he built it very high. He stationed army officers in all the fortified cities of Judah.

He did what was right in the Lord’s sight, walking in the way of David his father, not turning right or left.

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, he began to seek after the God of David his father. Then in his twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the asherahs, and the carved and molten images.

He said to the Levites who were to instruct all Israel, and who were consecrated to the Lord: “Put the holy ark in the house built by Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Serve now the Lord, your God, and his people Israel.

Prepare yourselves by your ancestral houses and your divisions according to the prescriptions of David, king of Israel, and the prescriptions of his son Solomon.

The singers, the sons of Asaph, were at their posts as commanded by David and by Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, the king’s seer. The gatekeepers were at every gate; there was no need for them to leave their stations, for their fellow Levites prepared for them.

While the builders were laying the foundation of the Lord’s temple, the priests in their vestments were stationed with trumpets and the Levites, sons of Asaph, with cymbals to praise the Lord in the manner laid down by David, king of Israel.

Of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershon; of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; of the descendants of David, Hattush,

Of the temple servants, those whom David and the princes appointed to serve the Levites, there were two hundred and twenty. All these were enrolled by name.

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum, son of Colhozeh, administrator of the district of Mizpah; he rebuilt it, roofed it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. He also repaired the wall of the Aqueduct Pool near the King’s Garden as far as the steps that lead down from the City of David.

After him, the work of repair was carried out by Nehemiah, son of Azbuk, administrator of half the district of Beth-zur, to a place opposite the tombs of David, as far as the Artificial Pool and the barracks.

The heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel. Their kinsmen who stood opposite them to sing praises and thanksgiving in fulfillment of the command of David, the man of God, one section opposite the other,

and his kinsmen Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David, the man of God. Ezra the scribe was at their head.

At the Fountain Gate they went straight up by the steps of the City of David and continued along the top of the wall above the house of David until they came to the Water Gate on the east.

who carried out the ministry of their God and the ministry of purification (as did the singers and the gatekeepers) in accordance with the prescriptions of David and Solomon, his son.

For in the days of David and Asaph, long ago, there were leaders of singers for songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

When I lived as a young man in my own country, in the land of Israel, the entire tribe of my ancestor Naphtali broke away from the house of David, my ancestor, and from Jerusalem, the city that had been singled out of all Israel’s tribes that all Israel might offer sacrifice there. It was the place where the temple, God’s dwelling, had been built and consecrated for all generations to come.

Then they built up the City of David with a high, strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel.

It was reported to the officers and soldiers of the king who were in the City of David, in Jerusalem, that those who had flouted the king’s order had gone out to secret refuges in the wilderness.

David, for his loyalty, received as a heritage a throne of eternal kingship.

Seeing that the army was strong, he prayed thus: “Blessed are you, Savior of Israel, who crushed the attack of the mighty one by the hand of your servant David and delivered the foreign camp into the hand of Jonathan, the son of Saul, and his armor-bearer.

About five hundred men of Nicanor’s army fell; the rest fled to the City of David.

“‘In his time and under his guidance they succeeded in driving the Gentiles out of their country and those in the City of David in Jerusalem, who had built for themselves a citadel from which they used to sally forth to defile the environs of the sanctuary and inflict grave injury on its purity.

These same things are also told in the records and in Nehemiah’s memoirs, as well as how he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and the prophets, the books of David, and the royal letters about votive offerings.

Psalm 3

Threatened but Trusting

A psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

Psalm 4

Trust in God

For the leader; with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

Psalm 5

Prayer for Divine Help

For the leader; with wind instruments. A psalm of David.

Psalm 6

Prayer in Distress

For the leader; with stringed instruments, “upon the eighth.” A psalm of David.

Psalm 7

God the Vindicator

A plaintive song of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, the Benjaminite.

Psalm 8

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

For the leader; “upon the gittith.” A psalm of David.

Psalm 9

Thanksgiving for Victory and Prayer for Justice

For the leader; according to Muth Labben. A psalm of David.

Psalm 11

Confidence in the Presence of God

For the leader. Of David.

I

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains!

Psalm 12

Prayer Against Evil Tongues

For the leader; “upon the eighth.” A psalm of David.

Psalm 13

Prayer for Help

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 14

A Lament over Widespread Corruption

For the leader. Of David.

I

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt; not one does what is good.

Psalm 15

The Righteous Israelite

A psalm of David.

I

Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?

Psalm 16

God the Supreme Good

A miktam of David.

I

Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge.

Psalm 17

Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors

A prayer of David.

I

Hear, Lord, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry; Listen to my prayer from lips without guile.

Psalm 18

A King’s Thanksgiving for Victory

For the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord, who sang to the Lord the words of this song after the Lord had rescued him from the clutches of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

You have given great victories to your king, and shown mercy to his anointed, to David and his posterity forever.

Psalm 19

God’s Glory in the Heavens and in the Law

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 20

Prayer for the King in Time of War

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 21

Thanksgiving and Assurances for the King

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 22

The Prayer of an Innocent Person

For the leader; according to “The deer of the dawn.” A psalm of David.

Psalm 23

The Lord, Shepherd and Host

A psalm of David.

I

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Psalm 24

The Glory of God in Procession to Zion

A psalm of David.

I

The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it.

Psalm 25

Confident Prayer for Forgiveness and Guidance

Of David.

I

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul,

Psalm 26

Prayer of Innocence

Of David.

I

Judge me, Lord! For I have walked in my integrity. In the Lord I trust; I do not falter.

Psalm 27

Trust in God

Of David.

A

I

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

Psalm 28

Petition and Thanksgiving

Of David.

I

To you, Lord, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me, Do not be silent toward me, so that I join those who go down to the pit.

Psalm 29

The Lord of Majesty Acclaimed as King of the World

A psalm of David.

I

Give to the Lord, you sons of God, give to the Lord glory and might;

Psalm 30

Thanksgiving for Deliverance

A psalm. A song for the dedication of the Temple. Of David.

Psalm 31

Prayer in Distress and Thanksgiving for Escape

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 32

Remission of Sin

Of David. A maskil.

I

Blessed is the one whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven.

Psalm 34

Thanksgiving to God Who Delivers the Just

Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him out and he went away.

Psalm 35

Prayer for Help Against Unjust Enemies

Of David.

I

Oppose, O Lord, those who oppose me; war upon those who make war upon me.

Psalm 36

Human Wickedness and Divine Providence

For the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

Psalm 37

The Fate of Sinners and the Reward of the Just

Of David.

Aleph

Do not be provoked by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong.

Psalm 38

Prayer of an Afflicted Sinner

A psalm of David. For remembrance.

Psalm 39

The Vanity of Life

For the leader, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

Psalm 40

Gratitude and Prayer for Help

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 41

Thanksgiving After Sickness

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 51

The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance

For the leader. A psalm of David,

Psalm 52

The Deceitful Tongue

For the leader. A maskil of David,

when Doeg the Edomite entered and reported to Saul, saying to him: “David has entered the house of Ahimelech.”

Psalm 53

A Lament over Widespread Corruption

For the leader; according to Mahalath. A maskil of David.

Psalm 54

Confident Prayer in Great Peril

For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David,

when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “David is hiding among us.”

Psalm 55

A Lament over Betrayal

For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David.

Psalm 56

Trust in God

For the director. According to Yonath elem rehoqim. A miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him at Gath.

Psalm 57

Confident Prayer for Deliverance

For the director. Do not destroy. A miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into a cave.

Psalm 58

The Dethroning of Unjust Rulers

For the leader. Do not destroy. A miktam of David.

Psalm 59

Complaint Against Bloodthirsty Enemies

For the director. Do not destroy. A miktam of David, when Saul sent people to watch his house and kill him.

Psalm 60

Lament After Defeat in Battle

For the leader; according to “The Lily of.…” A miktam of David (for teaching),

Psalm 61

Prayer of the King in Time of Danger

For the leader; with stringed instruments. Of David.

Psalm 62

Trust in God Alone

For the leader; ‘al Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

Psalm 63

Ardent Longing for God

A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

Psalm 64

Treacherous Conspirators Punished by God

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 65

Thanksgiving for God’s Blessings

For the leader. A psalm of David. A song.

Psalm 68

The Exodus and Conquest, Pledge of Future Help

For the leader. A psalm of David; a song.

Psalm 69

A Cry of Anguish in Great Distress

For the leader; according to “Lilies.” Of David.

Psalm 70

Prayer for Divine Help

For the leader; of David. For remembrance.

The end of the psalms of David, son of Jesse.

Psalm 78

A New Beginning in Zion and David

A maskil of Asaph.

I

Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

He chose David his servant, took him from the sheepfolds.

Psalm 86

Prayer in Time of Distress

A prayer of David.

I

Incline your ear, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed.

Psalm 89

A Lament over God’s Promise to David

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant:

I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him.

By my holiness I swore once for all: I will never be false to David.

Where are your former mercies, Lord, that you swore to David in your faithfulness?

Psalm 101

Norm of Life for Rulers

A psalm of David.

I

I sing of mercy and justice; to you, Lord, I sing praise.

Psalm 103

Praise of Divine Goodness

Of David.

I

Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!

Psalm 108

Prayer for Victory

A song; a psalm of David.

Psalm 109

Prayer of a Person Falsely Accused

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 110

God Appoints the King both King and Priest

A psalm of David. The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand, while I make your enemies your footstool.”

Psalm 122

A Pilgrim’s Prayer for Jerusalem

A song of ascents. Of David.

I

I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

There are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David.

Psalm 124

God, the Rescuer of the People

A song of ascents. Of David. Had not the Lord been with us, let Israel say,

Psalm 131

Humble Trust in God

A song of ascents. Of David. Lord, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me.

Psalm 132

The Covenant Between David and God

A song of ascents.

I

Remember, O Lord, for David all his hardships;

For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed.

II

The Lord swore an oath to David in truth, he will never turn back from it: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.

There I will make a horn sprout for David; I will set a lamp for my anointed.

Psalm 133

A Vision of a Blessed Community

A song of ascents. Of David. How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!

Psalm 138

Hymn of a Grateful Heart

Of David.

I

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; in the presence of the angels to you I sing.

Psalm 139

The All-knowing and Ever-present God

For the leader. A psalm of David.

I

Lord, you have probed me, you know me:

Psalm 140

Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked

For the leader. A psalm of David.

Psalm 141

Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked

A psalm of David. Lord, I call to you; hasten to me; listen to my plea when I call.

Psalm 142

A Prayer in Time of Trouble

A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.

Psalm 143

A Prayer in Distress

A psalm of David. Lord, hear my prayer; in your faithfulness listen to my pleading; answer me in your righteousness.

Psalm 144

A Prayer for Victory and Prosperity

Of David.

I

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war;

You give victory to kings; you delivered David your servant. From the menacing sword

Psalm 145

The Greatness and Goodness of God

Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever.

I. Title and Introduction

Chapter 1

Purpose of the Proverbs of Solomon

The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

Chapter 1

The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem:

Like a tower of David, your neck, built in courses, A thousand shields hanging upon it, all the armor of warriors.

For even his covenant with David, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah, Was an individual heritage through one son alone; but the heritage of Aaron is for all his descendants. So now bless the Lord who has crowned you with glory!

Chapter 47

Nathan, David, and Solomon

After him came Nathan who served in David’s presence.

Like the choice fat of sacred offerings, so was David in Israel.

But God does not withdraw his mercy, nor permit even one of his promises to fail. He does not uproot the posterity of the chosen, nor destroy the offspring of his friends. So he gave to Jacob a remnant, to David a root from his own family.

Despite all this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, Until they were uprooted from their land and scattered all over the earth.

Judah

But Judah remained, a tiny people, with its ruler from the house of David.

For Hezekiah did what was right and held fast to the paths of David, As ordered by the illustrious prophet Isaiah, who saw truth in visions.

Except for David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, they all were wicked; They abandoned the Law of the Most High, these kings of Judah, right to the very end.

When word came to the house of David that Aram had allied itself with Ephraim, the heart of the king and heart of the people trembled, as the trees of the forest tremble in the wind.

Then he said: Listen, house of David! Is it not enough that you weary human beings? Must you also weary my God?

and will gaze at the earth, But will see only distress and darkness, oppressive gloom, murky, without light. The Promise of Salvation Under a New Davidic King.

His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Chapter 11

The Ideal Davidic King

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

A throne shall be set up in mercy, and on it shall sit in fidelity, in David’s tent, A judge upholding right, prompt to do justice.

you saw that the breaches in the City of David were many; you collected the water of the lower pool.

I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open.

Chapter 29

Judgment and Deliverance of Jerusalem

Ah! Ariel, Ariel, city where David encamped! Let year follow year, and feast follow feast,

I will encamp like David against you; I will circle you with outposts and set up siege works against you.

I will shield and save this city for my own sake and the sake of David my servant.”

Go, tell Hezekiah: Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Now I will add fifteen years to your life.

Pay attention and come to me; listen, that you may have life. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the steadfast loyalty promised to David.

say to them: Thus says the Lord: Beware! I am making all the inhabitants of this land drunk, the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests and prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

then, through the gates of this city, kings who sit upon the throne of David will continue to enter, riding in their chariots or upon their horses, along with their princes, and the people of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This city will remain inhabited forever.

house of David! Thus says the Lord: Each morning dispense justice, rescue the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, Or my fury will break out like fire and burn with no one to quench it because of your evil deeds.

You shall say: Listen to the word of the Lord, king of Judah, who sit on the throne of David, you, your ministers, and your people who enter by these gates!

If you carry out these commands, kings who succeed to the throne of David will continue to enter the gates of this house, riding in chariots or mounted on horses, with their ministers, and their people.

Thus says the Lord: Write this man down as childless, a man who will never prosper in his life! Nor shall any of his descendants prosper, to sit upon the throne of David, to rule again over Judah.

See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord— when I will raise up a righteous branch for David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.

Thus says the Lord concerning the king sitting on David’s throne and all the people living in this city, your kinsmen who did not go with you into exile;

instead, they shall serve the Lord, their God, and David, their king, whom I will raise up for them.

In those days, at that time, I will make a just shoot spring up for David; he shall do what is right and just in the land.

For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a successor on the throne of the house of Israel,

only then can my covenant with my servant David be broken, so that he will not have a descendant to act as king upon his throne, and my covenant with the priests of Levi who minister to me.

Just as the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be counted, so I will multiply the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister to me.

then I will also reject the descendants of Jacob and of David my servant, no longer selecting from his descendants rulers for the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yes, I will restore their fortunes and show them mercy.

The Lord now says of Jehoiakim, king of Judah: No descendant of his shall sit on David’s throne; his corpse shall be thrown out, exposed to heat by day, frost by night.

I will appoint one shepherd over them to pasture them, my servant David; he shall pasture them and be their shepherd.

I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be prince in their midst. I, the Lord, have spoken.

David my servant shall be king over them; they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my ordinances, observe my statutes, and keep them.

They shall live on the land I gave to Jacob my servant, the land where their ancestors lived; they shall live on it always, they, their children, and their children’s children, with David my servant as their prince forever.

Afterward the Israelites will turn back and seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king; They will come trembling to the Lord and to his bounty, in the last days.

Who improvise to the music of the harp, composing on musical instruments like David,

VI. Epilogue: Restoration Under a Davidic King

On that day I will raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old,

The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be exalted over Judah.

On that day the Lord will shield the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David on that day; and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them.

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of mercy and supplication, so that when they look on him whom they have thrust through, they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and they will grieve for him as one grieves over a firstborn.

And the land shall mourn, each family apart: the family of the house of David, and their women; the family of the house of Nathan, and their women;

Chapter 13

Oracles Concerning the End of False Prophecy. On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to purify from sin and uncleanness.