Ozem sixth, and David seventh.

David’s Descendants

Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman; second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite woman;

All these were sons of David, besides his sons by the concubines. Tamar was their sister.

Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri and Shaaraim. These were their towns until the reign of David,

Now these are the men David appointed to be in charge of the singing in the House of Adonai, after the Ark came to rest.

The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Shemuel, heads of their clans. The descendants of Tola were mighty men of valor; their number in the days of David was 22,600.

All these chosen to be gatekeepers at the gates were 212. These were registered in the genealogical records of their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their offices.

rather than inquire of Adonai. So He put him to death and transferred the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

David’s Rise and Capture of Zion

Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron, saying: “Behold, we are your own flesh and blood.

When all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Adonai. They anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the word of Adonai by the hand of Samuel.

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem—that is Jebus, where the Jebusite inhabitants of the land lived.

Now the residents of Jebus said to David, “You cannot get in here!” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David.

David had said, “Whoever strikes down the Jebusites first will be commander-in-chief.” So Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became commander.

David lived in the stronghold; for this reason it is called the city of David.

David grew more and more powerful because Adonai-Tzva’ot was with him.

David’s Mighty Men

Now these were chiefs of David’s mighty men, who strongly supported him in his kingdom, together with all Israel to make him king, according to the word of Adonai, over Israel.

This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni, was the chief of the 30; he wielded his spear against 300 and slew them all at one time.

He was with David at Pas Dammim, when the Philistines assembled there for battle. There was a plot of ground full of barley where the army retreated from before the Philistines,

Three of the 30 leaders went down to David at the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

At that time, David was in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem.

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

So the three broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the cistern by the gate in Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But David refused to drink it. He poured it out to Adonai

Behold, he was more honorable than the 30, yet he was not one of the Three. Nevertheless, David set him over his bodyguard.

All Israel Rallies to David

Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag when he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who assisted him in battle.

Some of the Gadites there withdrew to follow David to the stronghold in the wilderness. They were valiant men trained for battle, armed with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

Some of the children of Benjamin and also from Judah came to David at the stronghold.

David went out to meet them and answered them saying, “If you come to me in peace to support me, then my heart will be united with you. But if it is to betray me to my adversaries, when my hands have done no wrong, then may the God of our fathers take notice and judge.”

Then a spirit came upon Amasai, leader of the 30, “We are yours, David, on your side, son of Jesse. Shalom, shalom to you, and shalom to him who helps you, for your God supports you!” So David welcomed them and made them leaders of the troops.

Some from Manasseh went over to David when he went with the Philistines to battle against Saul. But they did not help them because the Philistine rulers after consultation sent him away, saying: “It would cost us our heads if he defected to his master Saul.”

They helped David against the raiding bands, for all of them were valiant warriors and they were officers in the army.

Day by day men came to David to help him until there was a great army like the army of God.

These are the numbers of the heads of those armed for war who came to David in Hebron to transfer Saul’s kingdom to him, according to the word of Adonai:

from the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000 who were designated by name to come and make David king;

All these fighting men, prepared for the battle line, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel were also of one heart to make David king.

So they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their kinsmen had given them provision.

Ark Retrieved from Kiriath-jearim

Then David consulted with the officers of the thousands and of the hundreds, with every leader.

David said to the entire assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and is from Adonai Eloheinu, let us spread the word to our kinsmen who remain in all the regions of Israel, along with the kohanim and Levites in their towns and pasturelands to come and join us.

So David assembled all Israel from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamat, to bring the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kiriath-jearim, that was in Judah to bring up from there the Ark of God, Adonai who sits enthroned above the cheruvim, which is called by His Name.

while David and all Israel celebrated before God with all their might, with songs, lyres, harps, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

David was angry because Adonai had burst out against Uzza. So he called that place Perez-uzza as it is to this day.

David feared God that day, saying, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God to me?”

So David did not take the Ark with him to the City of David, but left it in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Now King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, as well as cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters, to build a palace for him.

Then David knew that Adonai had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters.

David Breaks Through at Baal-perazim

When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David, but David heard of it and went out before them.

So David inquired of God, asking, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them over into my hand?” Then Adonai said to him, “Go up! I will give them over into your hand.”

So they came up to Baal-perazim, where David defeated them. David said, “God burst out against my enemies by my hand, like waters burst out!” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

They abandoned their gods there, so David ordered and they were burned with fire.

So David again inquired of God, and God said to him, “Do not go up after them, but circle around behind them and come against them in front of the baca trees.

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

So the fame of David spread throughout every land, and Adonai brought the fear of him upon all nations.

Ark Enters Jerusalem

David built houses made for himself in the City of David; he then prepared a place for the Ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

Then David said, “No one should carry the Ark of God except the Levites, for Adonai has chosen them to carry the Ark of Adonai and to serve Him forever.”

David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the Ark of Adonai up to its place that he had prepared for it.

David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites:

David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the kohanim, along with the Levites, Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab.

David ordered the leaders of the Levites to appoint their kinsmen, the singers, with musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, to joyfully make their voices heard.

So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of the thousands went to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai out of the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing.

Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the Ark, and as were the singers and Henaniah the leader of the songs of the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.

As the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai came to the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out the window. When she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

Worship in David’s Tent

They brought the Ark of God and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

After David finished offering the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of Adonai.

On that day David first appointed Asaph and his kinsmen to give thanks to Adonai:

So David left Asaph and his kinsmen there before the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai, to minister before the Ark continually, according to each day’s requirements,

Then all the people departed each one to his home, and David returned to bless his household.

Covenant Promise to David

After David settled in his place, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look! I am living in a house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai is under a tent.”

Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

“Go and tell David My servant, thus says Adonai, ‘You are not to build Me a house in which to dwell.

“So now, say this to My servant David, ‘Thus says Adonai Tzva’ot, I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep, to be prince over My people Israel.

According to all these words and according to all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Then King David went in and sat before Adonai, and said, “Who am I, Adonai Elohim, and what is my family, that You have brought me thus far?

“What more can David say to You for honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant.

so that it might be established and Your Name might be magnified forever, saying, ‘Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ Then the house of David Your servant will be established before You.

King David’s Rule Expands

In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines.

He also defeated Moab, and the Moabites became vassals to David and brought tribute.

Moreover, David defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath, when he went to establish his dominion to the Euphrates River.

David captured from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 infantrymen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but reserved 100 of them for chariots.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 of the Arameans.

David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus and the Arameans became subject to David and brought tribute. Adonai gave David victory wherever he went.

David took the gold shields that were on Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem.

From Tibhath and from Kun, Hadadezer’s cities, David took a very large quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze sea, pillars and bronze vessels.

When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of King Hadadezer of Zobah,

he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet and bless him because he fought against Hadarezer and defeated him—for Hadadezer had many wars with Tou. He also sent all kinds of articles of gold, silver and bronze.

King David dedicated these articles to Adonai, along with the silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations: from Edom and Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines and Amalek.

Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became vassals to David. So Adonai gave David victory wherever he went.

David reigned over all Israel and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief officials in the service of the king.

David said: “l will show lovingkindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. But when David’s emissaries came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to console him,

the Ammonite officials said to Hanun, “Do you really think that David is honoring your father, by sending messengers to express sympathy? Have not his servants come to you to explore and spy out the country to overthrow it?”

So Hanun took David’s emissaries and shaved them. He cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks and sent them away.

When some people came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them for the men were throughly humiliated. The king said: “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow and then return.”

When the children of Ammon realized they had made themselves a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah and Zobah.

On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.

When David was informed he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came against them and took up positions against them. David took up positions against the Arameans in battle and they fought with him.

But the Arameans fled before Israel. David killed 7,000 Aramean charioteers and 40,000 infantrymen. He also killed Shophah the commander of the army.

Now when Hadadezer’s vassals saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. Thus the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

Clearing Out the Giants

At the turn of the year, the season when kings go out to war, Joab led out the army and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah, while David remained in Jerusalem. Joab smote Rabbah and left it in ruins.

David took the crown from the head of their king—its weight was found to be a talent of gold and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David’s head. He took a vast amount of spoils from the city.

Furthermore, he removed the people who were in it and set them to work with saws, sharp iron tools and axes. Thus he did to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down.

These were descendants of the giants in Gath; they fell by the hand of David and his servants.

Census and Plague

Then satan stood up against Israel and incited David to count Israel.

So David told Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba to Dan. Then bring me a report so I may know their number.”

Joab gave the number of the census of the people to David: in all Israel there were 1,100,000 sword-wielding men; Judah had 470,000 sword-wielding men.

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. But now, I entreat you, take away the guilt of Your servant for I have behaved very foolishly.”

Then Adonai spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying:

“Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Adonai, “I offer you three things; choose one of them and I will bring it upon you.”’”

So Gad went to David and said to him, “Thus says Adonai: ‘Select for yourself

David said to Gad, “I am in a great anguish! Let me fall into the hand of Adonai for His compassion is very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of Adonai standing between the earth and the heaven with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.

David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded to count the people? I alone am the one who sinned and behaved wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand, Adonai my God, be against me and against my father’s house, but do not let the plague be on Your people.”

So the angel of Adonai told Gad to instruct David that David should go up and build an altar to Adonai on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

So David went up by the word of Gad, which he spoke in the Name of Adonai.

When David came to Ornan, Ornan looked up and saw David. He went out from the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground.

Then David said to Ornan: “Give me the site of this threshing floor that I may build an altar to Adonai. Sell it to me for full price, so the plague on the people may be stopped.”

Then Ornan said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever seems good in his eyes. Look, I will give the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”

King David said to Ornan, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. For I will not take for Adonai what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing.”

So David gave Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the place.

David built there an altar to Adonai and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called on Adonai and He answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering.

At that time, when David saw that Adonai had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.

But David could not go before it to seek God for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of Adonai.

Then David said, “This is the place where the House of Adonai Elohim will be, along with the altar for burnt sacrifices for Israel.”

Preparing for the Temple

David gave orders to assemble the foreigners in the land of Israel, and assigned them to be masons to quarry stones to build the House of God.

David supplied an abundance of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for the joints, so much bronze that it could not be weighed,

and cedar logs without number, for the Zidonians and the Tyrians brought an abundance of cedar logs to David.

David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced and the House that is to be built for Adonai must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all the nations. Therefore I will make preparation for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a House for the name of Adonai my God.

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son,

Census of Levites

When David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

David organized them into divisions: The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

For David said: “Adonai, the God of Israel, has given His people rest and He dwells in Jerusalem forever.

For according to David’s final instructions, the Levites 20 years old and upward were counted.

David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them into their offices according to their avodah.

These also cast lots even as their kinsmen the sons of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech and the heads of the clans of the kohanim and the Levites—the families of the oldest just like those of his youngest brother.

Orders of Prophetic Levites

Moreover, David and the commanders of the army, set apart for avodah the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun who prophesied with lyres, harps and cymbals. The list of those who performed this work according to their service was:

This Shelomith and his kinsmen were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things that King David and the chiefs of the clans and the commanders over thousands and hundreds, and other army commanders had dedicated.

As for the Hebronites: Jerijah was the chief of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made and found in them were valiant men in Jazer of Gilead.

His relatives, 2,700 men of valor, were heads of clans whom King David had appointed over the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manasseh in every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.

David’s Officers

The number of Bnei-Yisrael—heads of clans, officers of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters of the divisions that came in and went out month by month throughout the year—each division had 24,000.

of Judah: Elihu, one of David’s brothers; of Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

But David did not count those 20 years old and under, because Adonai had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count them, but did not finish. Wrath came upon Israel for this and the number was not entered into the account in the chronicles of King David.

and over the flocks: Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were stewards over the property of King David.

Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, learned man and scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni tutored the king’s sons.

Men and Materials

Now David assembled all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem—the tribal officers, the commanders of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and the stewards over all the property and livestock of the king and of his sons, along with the high officials, the mighty warriors and all the men of valor.

Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai and for the footstool of our God. So I made the preparations for the building.

Then David gave Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, its houses, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the place of atonement;

Also David said to his son Solomon: “Chazak! And be courageous, and do it! Do not be afraid or dismayed, for Adonai Elohim my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the avodah of the House of Adonai is finished.

David Commissions His Son

Then King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced and the task is great, for the palace is not for man but for Adonai Elohim.

Then the people rejoiced over their freewill offerings because with a whole heart they offered willingly to Adonai. King David also rejoiced with great joy.

David blessed Adonai before the whole congregation saying, “Blessed are You, Adonai, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity!

Then David said to the whole congregation, “Now bless Adonai your God.” So the whole congregation blessed Adonai, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and fell prostrate before Adonai and the king.

So they ate and drank before Adonai on that day with great joy. Then they designated Solomon the son of David as king a second time, anointing him before Adonai as ruler and Zadok as kohen.

So Solomon sat on the throne of Adonai as king instead of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him.

All the officials and mighty men, as well as all the sons of King David, pledged their hand in support of King Solomon.

Now David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

Now the acts of King David, the first and the last, behold, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer