Dedicating the Temple

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel—all the heads of the tribes and the ancestral chieftains of the children of Israel—to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring the ark of the covenant of Adonai up from the city of David, which is Zion.

He said: “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and has fulfilled it by His hand, saying:

‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out from Egypt, I have not chosen a city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a House where My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel.

But Adonai said to my father David: ‘Because it was in your heart to build a House for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Now Adonai has fulfilled His word that He spoke, for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as Adonai promised. Also I have built the House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel,

“You have kept what You promised with Your servant David my father. Yes, You spoke with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.

“Now therefore, Adonai, God of Israel, keep with Your servant David my father what You have promised him, saying: ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your children watch their way, walking before Me as you have walked before Me.’

Now therefore, God of Israel, please, let Your word be confirmed, which You spoke to Your servant my father David.

On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart over all the goodness that Adonai had shown to His servant David and to His people Israel.

“As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked—in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing all I commanded you, keeping My statutes and My ordinances—

then I will establish the throne of your kingship over Israel forever, as I promised your father David saying: ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

As soon as Pharaoh’s daughter came up out of the city of David to her house built for her, he built the Millo.

For it came about, as Solomon grew old, that his wives led his heart away after other gods, so that his heart was no longer wholly devoted to Adonai his God, unlike the heart of his father David.

So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Adonai and did not fully follow after Adonai, unlike his father David.

Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it away from the hand of your son.

Yet I will not tear away the whole kingdom, but will give one tribe to your son for My servant David ‘s sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”

Earlier, when David was at war with Edom, Joab, commander of the army, went up to bury the slain, and had struck down every male in Edom.

Now when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh: “Let me leave so I may go to my own country.”

when David killed them. He then gathered men to himself and became the leader of a marauding band that went to Damascus and dwelt there and gained control in Damascus.

Now the reason that he raised a hand against the king was this: Solomon built the Millo and closed the breach of the city of his father David.

But he will have one tribe, for My servant David’s sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

“‘For they have abandoned Me and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and My ordinances, as his father David did.

Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will keep him as a ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, because he kept My mitzvot and My statutes.

To his son I will give one tribe so that My servant David may have a lamp every day before Me in Jerusalem, the city that I chose for Myself to put My Name there.

Then it will be, if you obey everything I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My eyes, keeping My statutes and My mitzvot as My servant David did, then I will be with you, and will establish for you a lasting dynasty, as I did for David—I will give Israel to you.

So I will for this afflict David’s seed, but not for all days.”

Then Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David; and his son Rehoboam was king in his place.

But when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king saying: “What share have we in David? No inheritance in Jesse’s son! To your tents, O Israel! Now look at your own house, David!” So the Israelites departed to their tents.

Israel has rebelled against the house of David to this day.

Now when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.

Jeroboam Resorts to Idolatry

But Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David.

He cried out against the altar with the word of Adonai and said: “O altar, altar, thus says Adonai, behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and upon you will he sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it you. Yet you have not been like My servant David who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.

Then Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. Then his son Abijam became king in his place.

He walked in all the sins of his father which he had done before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to Adonai his God, like the heart of his father David.

Nevertheless, for David’s sake, Adonai his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and establishing Jerusalem.

For David did what was right in Adonai’s eyes and did not turn aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Then Abijam slept with his fathers so they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place.

Now Asa did what was right in Adonai’s eyes, like his father David.

And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and his son Jehoshaphat became king his place.

Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and his son Jehoram became king in his place.

Nevertheless, Adonai was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David His servant, since He had promised to give him a lamp for his children all days.

Then Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Then his son Ahaziah became king in his place.

Then his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.

The kohen delivered to the captains of hundreds the spear and shields that belonged to King David that were in the House of Adonai.

His courtiers Jozacar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. Then they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. His son Amaziah became king in his place.

Now he did what was right in the eyes of Adonai, yet not like his father David—he did like all his father Joash had done.

Then they brought his body back on horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

Then Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. Then his son Jotham became king in his place.

Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David. Then Ahaz his son became king in his place.

Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. But he did not do what was right in the eyes of Adonai his God, as his father David had done.

Then Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Then his son Hezekiah became king in his place.

When He had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drew Israel away from following Adonai and made them commit a great sin.

He did what was right in Adonai’s eyes, according to all his ancestor David had done.

“For I will defend this city to save it, for My own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.”

“Return, and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, thus says Adonai, the God of your father David: ‘I have heard your prayer and I have seen your tears. Behold, I am going to heal you. On the third day you will go up to the House of Adonai.

Then I will add 15 years to your life. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; I will defend this city for My own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.’”

Then he set up the carved image of Asherah that he made in the House about which Adonai had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this House and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever.

Now he did what was right in the eyes of Adonai and walked in all the ways of his father David, and turned not aside to the right or to the left.

When it was reported to the house of David saying: “Aram is camped in Ephraim,” his heart as well as the heart of his people shook like the trees of the forest shaking with the wind.

Then he said, “Hear now, house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men? Will you also weary my God?

Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end— on the throne of David and over His kingdom— to establish it and uphold it through justice and righteousness from now until forevermore. The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot will accomplish this.

The Branch From David

Then a shoot will come forth out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit out of His roots.

A throne will be established in mercy, and One will sit on it in truth —in the tent of David— One who seeks justice and is ready for righteousness.

Then you will see the breaches in the walls of the city of David—for they will be many—though you collect the water of the lower pool.

I will set the key of the house of David upon his shoulder—what he opens, no one can shut; what he shuts, and no one can open.

Night Vision of Ariel

Oy, Ariel, Ariel! City where David camped. Year to year again—festivals in a cycle.

“For I will defend this city to save it, for My own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.”

“Go, and say to Hezekiah, thus says Adonai, the God of your father David: ‘I have heard your prayer and I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add 15 years to your life.

Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, so that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the trustworthy loyalty to David.

Then you will say to them, thus says Adonai, ‘I am about to fill all the inhabitants of this land—even the kings who sit on David’s throne, the kohanim, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem—with drunkenness.

then there will enter in through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—with their princes, the people of Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem—and this city will be inhabited forever.

O house of David, thus says Adonai: “Render justice by morning, and rescue the one who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Otherwise My fury will go forth like fire and burn so none can extinguish it, because of their evil deeds.”

Warning to David’s Heirs

Thus said Adonai: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and speak this word:

‘Hear the word of Adonai, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you, your servants, and your people who enter by these gates.’

For if you really carry out this word, then through the gates of this palace will enter kings sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—himself, his servants, and his people.

Thus says Adonai: “Write this man childless, a man who will not prosper in his days. For no man of his seed will prosper, sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.”

The Righteous Branch

“Behold, days are coming” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign as king wisely, and execute justice and righteousness in the land.

For thus says Adonai about the king who sits on the throne of David and about all the people who dwell in this city, your kinsmen who did not go with you into captivity,

A Davidic King Brings Healing

It will be in that day” —it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot— “that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will tear off your bonds. Foreigners will no longer enslave him.

Instead they will serve Adonai their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

Righteous Branch of David

“Behold, days are coming” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “when I will fulfill the good word I spoke concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah.

In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of Righteousness to spring up for David, and He will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

For thus says Adonai: “For David, there will not be cut off a man sitting on the throne of the house of Israel,

only then may My covenant be broken with My servant David, that he would not have a son to reign on his throne, and the Levitical kohanim would not be My ministers.

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David My servant, and the Levites who minister to Me.”

only then would I reject the offspring of Jacob, and of My servant David so that I would not take from his offspring rulers over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore them from their exile, and have compassion on them.”

Therefore thus says Adonai about King Jehoiakim of Judah: “He will have no one to sit on the throne of David. Moreover, his dead body will be tossed out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night.

So I will set up One Shepherd over them, My servant David—He will tend them, He will feed them Himself and be their shepherd.

I, Adonai, will be their God, and My servant David will be Prince among them. I, Adonai, have spoken.

My servant David will be king over them. They will all have One Shepherd. They will walk in My ordinances and observe My rulings and do them.

They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your ancestors lived. They will live there—they, their children and their children’s children, forever, and My servant David will be their prince forever.

Afterwards, Bnei-Yisrael will return, and they will seek Adonai their God and David their king. Then they will turn in awe to Adonai and to His goodness in the last days.

chanting to the sound of harp like David, inventing their own instruments of song,

David’s Sukkah Restored

“In that day I will raise up David’s fallen sukkah. I will restore its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in days of old

Adonai also will save the tents of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and the honor of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not exceed that of Judah.

In that day Adonai will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the weakest among them that day will be like David and the house of David will be like God—like the angel of Adonai before them.

Mourning the Pierced One

“Then I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, when they will look toward Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son and grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for a firstborn.

The land will mourn clan by clan. The clan of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves, the clan of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves,

Final Cleansing from Sin

“In that day a spring will be opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Magen David

Psalm 3

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

Prayer for Sleep in Shalom

Psalm 4

For the music director, on stringed instruments, a psalm of David.

Morning Prayer for Justice

Psalm 5

For the music director, on the wind instruments, a psalm of David.

Prayer for Mercy

Psalm 6

For the music director, on the eight-string lyre, a psalm of David.

Adonai Magen

Psalm 7

A passionate song of David, which he sang to Adonai concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

Humanity is God’s Splendor

Psalm 8

For the music director, upon the Gittite lyre: a psalm of David.

Our Righteous Judge

Psalm 9

For the music director, to the tune of “The Death of the Son,” a psalm of David.

Judgment from Heaven

Psalm 11

For the music director, a psalm of David. In Adonai I have taken shelter. How can you say to my soul: “Fly like a bird to your mountain?

Silence the Flattering Lips

Psalm 12

For the music director, on the eight-string lyre, a psalm of David.

Trust in His Chesed

Psalm 13

For the music director, a psalm of David.

There Is No God?

Psalm 14

For the music director, of David. The fool said in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Walking with Integrity

Psalm 15

A psalm of David. Adonai, who may dwell in Your tent? Who may live on Your holy mountain?

The Path of Eternal Life

Psalm 16

A Michtam of David. Keep me safe, O God, for in You I have found shelter.

A Plea for Vindication

Psalm 17

A prayer of David. Hear, Adonai, a just plea, listen to my cry! Give ear to my prayer—from lips with no deceit.

Adonai lives! Blessed Be My Rock

Psalm 18

For the music director: a psalm of David the servant of Adonai. He chanted the words of this song to Adonai on the day Adonai delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

Great victories He gives to His king. He shows loyal love to His anointed— to David and his seed, forever.

Glory from Heaven and Torah

Psalm 19

For the music director, a psalm of David.

Adonai-Nissi

Psalm 20

For the music director, a psalm of David.

The Victorious King

Psalm 21

For the music director, a psalm of David.

Suffering Servant

Psalm 22

For the music director, on “The Doe of the Dawn,” a psalm of David.

Adonai-Ro-eh

Psalm 23

A psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want.

The King of Glory

Psalm 24

A psalm of David. The earth is Adonai’s and all that fills it— the world, and those dwelling on it.

Teach Me Your Paths

Psalm 25

Of David. To You, Adonai, I lift up my soul.

Walking with Integrity

Psalm 26

Of David. Vindicate me, Adonai, for I have walked in my integrity, and trusted in Adonai without wavering.

Let Your Heart Take Courage

Psalm 27

Of David. Adonai is my light and my salvation: whom should I fear? Adonai is the stronghold of my life: whom should I dread?

Hoshia-na!

Psalm 28

Of David. To You, Adonai, I call— my Rock, do not be deaf to me. If You were silent to me, I would become like those going down to the Pit.

God Thunders Throughout Creation

Psalm 29

A psalm of David. Ascribe to Adonai, O sons of God, ascribe to Adonai glory and strength.

Joy Comes in the Morning

Psalm 30

A psalm, a song for the dedication of the Temple, of David.

Refuge, Sukkah, Shelter

Psalm 31

For the music director, a psalm of David.

Confess, Return and Learn

Psalm 32

Of David, a contemplative song. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is pardoned.

Taste and See

Psalm 34

Of David, when he feigned insanity before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.

Justice for the Oppressed

Psalm 35

A psalm of David. Adonai, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight me.

With God Is the Fountain of Life

Psalm 36

For the music director, of David the servant of Adonai.

Inheritance of the Kedoshim

Psalm 37

Of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of them who do wrong.

A Burden Too Heavy for Me

Psalm 38

A psalm of David, for a memorial.

Make Me Know the Number of My Days

Psalm 39

For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David.

Written About Me in the Scroll

Psalm 40

For the music director, a psalm of David.

Even My Close Friend

Psalm 41

For the music director: a psalm of David.

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Psalm 51

For the music director: a psalm of David,

Treacherous Tongue!

Psalm 52

For the music director: a contemplative song of David,

when Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul telling him, “David went to Ahimelech’s house.”

A Fool Denies God

Psalm 53

For the music director: on Mahalath, a contemplative song of David.

Surely God is My Helper

Psalm 54

For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David,

when the Ziphites came and said to Saul: “Is not David hiding himself among us?”

Betrayal by a Friend

Psalm 55

For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David.

In God I Trust

Psalm 56

For the music director: “A Silent Dove Far Away,” a Michtam of David, when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

Be Exalted Over All the Earth

Psalm 57

For the music director, “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

God Really Judges

Psalm 58

For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.

God Is My Strong Tower

Psalm 59

For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when Saul sent men to watch the house to kill him.

Song of Victory Over Edom

Psalm 60

For the music director, on the “Lily of the Covenant,” a Michtam of David, for teaching,

Lead Me to the Rock

Psalm 61

For the music director, on string instrument, of David.

My Rock and My Salvation

Psalm 62

For the music director, on Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

You Are My God

Psalm 63

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

Protect Me from Conspiracies

Psalm 64

For the music director, a psalm of David.

Praise is Awaitng You in Zion

Psalm 65

For the music director, a psalm, a song of David.

Triumphal Procession up to the Temple

Psalm 68

For the music director, a psalm of David, a song.

Scorn and Disgrace, Gall and Vinegar

Psalm 69

For the music director, on “Lilies,” of David.

My Help and My Deliverer

Psalm 70

For the music director, of David, for a memorial.

The prayers of David son of Jesse are complete.

Israel from Moses to David

Psalm 78

A contemplative song of Asaph. Listen, my people, to my teaching. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds,

Slow to Anger, Full of Chesed

Psalm 86

A prayer of David. Turn Your ear, Adonai, and answer me, for I am weak and needy.

Covenant with David’s Seed

Psalm 89

A contemplative song of Ethan the Ezrahite.

“I have made a covenant with My chosen one. I have sworn to David My servant:

I have found David My servant. With My holy oil I have anointed him.

Once for all I have sworn by My holiness —surely I will not lie to David—

Where is Your former lovingkindness, my Lord, which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?

Pledge of Integrity

Psalm 101

A psalm of David. I will sing of lovingkindness and justice. To You, Adonai, I will sing praises.

As a Father Has Compassion

Psalm 103

Of David. Bless Adonai, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.

With God We Do Valiantly

Psalm 108

A song, a psalm of David.

Prayer Against an Accuser

Psalm 109

For the music director, a psalm of David. O God of my praise, be not silent.

My Lord is a Kohen Forever

Psalm 110

A psalm of David. Adonai declares to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of Adonai.”

For there thrones for judgment are set up, the thrones of the house of David.

Had He Not Been on Our Side

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents. Of David. “Had Adonai not been on our side” —let Israel now say—

Be Still My Soul

Psalm 131

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Adonai, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes lofty, nor do I go after things too great or too difficult for me.

Promise of Ben-David

Psalm 132

A Song of Ascents. Adonai, remember David, all his afflictions,

For Your servant David’s sake do not turn away the face of Your anointed.

Adonai has sworn to David a true promise He will not revoke: “From the fruit of your body I will set one upon your throne—

There will I make a horn spring up for David, I have set up a lamp for My anointed.

Blessing of Unity

Psalm 133

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

Your Right Hand Delivers Me

Psalm 138

Of David. I praise You with all my heart. In the presence of the mighty I will sing praises to You.

How Precious Your Thoughts!

Psalm 139

For the music director: a psalm of David. Adonai, You searched me and know me.

Protection from the Wicked

Psalm 140

For the music director: a psalm of David.

Evening Petition for Protection

Psalm 141

A psalm of David. Adonai, I call to You—come quickly to me! Hear my voice when I call to You.

A Refuge from Trouble

Psalm 142

A contemplative poem of David, when he was in the cave, a prayer.

Hide Not Your Face from Me

Psalm 143

A psalm of David. Hear my prayer, Adonai, give ear to my petitions. In Your faithfulness and Your righteousness, answer me!

Rescue from Battle

Psalm 144

Of David. Blessed be Adonai my Rock— who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

who gives salvation to kings, who rescues Your servant David from the evil sword.

Glory of the Kingdom

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt You, my God, the King, and I will bless Your Name forever and ever.

The Value of Wise Sayings

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

Like the tower of David is your neck, built for weapons. A thousand shields are hung on it —all shields of warriors.

The neighboring women gave him a name saying “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they called him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Kohelet: the Preacher

The words of Kohelet, son of David, king in Jerusalem.

When the builders had laid the foundation of the Temple of Adonai, the kohanim, arrayed in their vestments and with clarions, and the Levites sons of Asaph with cymbals, were stationed to praise Adonai as prescribed by King David of Israel.

from the sons of Phinehas—Gershom; from the sons of Ithamar—Daniel; from the sons of David—Hattush;

Also from the sanctuary servants, whom David and his officials had given for the work of the Levites, 220 sanctuary servants, all of them designated by name.

Shallun son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He built it, covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs going down from the City of David.

Beyond him Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs as far as the tombs of David and the artificial pool and the House of the Warriors.

So the leaders of the Levites were: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their brothers facing them, to give praise and thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, one section responding to the other.

and his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—all with the musical instruments of David the man of God—and Ezra the scribe was ahead of them.

They went over the Fountain Gate and continued up the stairs of the city of David at the ascent to the wall, and passed, above the house of David all the way to the Water Gate toward the east.

They kept the ceremonial functions of their God and the ceremony of the purification according to the command of David and of Solomon his son.

For of old, in the days of David and Asaph, there were leaders of the singers who sang songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

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

Solomon Asks for Wisdom at Gibeon

Now Solomon the son of David firmly established himself over his kingdom. For Adonai his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

Now David had brought up the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great lovingkindness to my father David and now You have made me king in his place.

Now, Adonai Elohim, let Your word to my father David be fulfilled for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Then Solomon sent word to Huram the king of Tyre saying, “Deal with me as you did with my father David when you sent him cedars to build a house to dwell in.

“So now, send me a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with the skilled men who are with me, whom my father David provided.

Then Huram continued, “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth. He gave King David a wise son, endowed with insight and understanding, who will build a House for Adonai and a royal house for himself.

who is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan and whose father was a man from Tyre—a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, in purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to engrave all kinds of engraving, and who can execute any design given to him. He will work with your skilled men and with the skilled men of my lord David your father.

Solomon counted all the foreign men in the land of Israel, like the census that his father David had taken, and 153,600 were found.

Solomon Builds the Temple in Jerusalem

Then Solomon began to build the House of Adonai in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah—where Adonai appeared to his father David—at the place that David prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

When all the work that Solomon undertook for the House of Adonai was finished, Solomon brought in the things David his father consecrated—the silver, gold and all the furnishings—and put them in the treasuries of the House of God.

Consecration of the Temple

Then Solomon gathered to Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the patriarchal leaders of Bnei-Yisrael, in order to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai from the city of David, which is Zion.

He said: “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who with His hands has fulfilled what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying:

But I have chosen Jerusalem that My Name would abide there and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel.

But Adonai said to David my father: ‘As for you wanting in your heart to build a House for My Name, you did well that this was in your heart.

“Now Adonai has confirmed His promise that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, just as Adonai promised, and I have built the House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel.

You have kept the promise You made to Your servant David, my father. Surely you spoke with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand—as it is today.

“Now therefore, Adonai, God of Israel, keep for Your servant David, my father, that which You have promised him saying: ‘For you will never be cut off, you will not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne—if only your sons pay attention to their way, to walk in My Torah as you have walked before Me.’

“Now therefore, Adonai God of Israel, let Your word, which You spoke to Your servant David, be confirmed.

Adonai Elohim, do not reject Your anointed one. Remember the loyalty of Your servant David.”

The kohanim stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of Adonai that King David had made for praising Adonai—“for His mercy endures forever”—whenever David offered praise by their hand. Opposite them were the kohanim who sounded trumpets while all Israel was standing.

On the 23 rd day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Adonai had done for David, Solomon and Israel His people.

“As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing all that I have commanded you, keeping My statutes and My ordinances,

then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.’

Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not dwell in the palace of King David of Israel, because the places where the Ark of Adonai has entered are holy.”

Following the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the kohanim for their avodah and the Levites for their duties—to praise and minister alongside the kohanim according to the daily assignment—and the gatekeepers by their divisions at every gate, because this is what David the man of God had commanded.

Solomon Buried in David’s City

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, the beginning and the end, are they not written in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Jedo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Then Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David, and Rehoboam his son became king in his place.

When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! To your tents, O Israel! Now look after your own house, David!” So all Israel departed to their tents.

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

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Rehoboam married Mahalat the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.

Then Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. Then his son Abijah became king in his place.

Don’t you know that Adonai, God of Israel, has given kingship over Israel to David forever—to him and his sons by a covenant of salt?

Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.

“So now, do you intend to oppose the kingdom of Adonai, which is in the hand of David’s descendants? Are you indeed a great multitude—and with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods?

Then Abijah slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During his days the land was untroubled for ten years.

He was buried in his own tomb, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David. They laid him in his resting place, which was filled with sweet spices and various blended perfumes and they made a very large fire for him.

Adonai was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baalim

Jehoram Slays His Brothers

Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Jehoram his son became king in his place.

However, Adonai was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had spoken a word to give a lamp to him and his sons always.

Elijah’s Letter of Judgment

A letter from Elijah the prophet came to him saying: “Thus says Adonai, the God of your father David: Since you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

He was 32 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years and he passed away, to no one’s regret. He was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

and the entire congregation made a covenant with the king in the House of God. Then he said to them: “Behold, the king’s son! He must reign as Adonai promised concerning David’s sons.

And Jehoiada the kohen delivered to the officers of hundreds King David’s spears, shields and bucklers that were in the House of God.

Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the House of Adonai under the authority of the Levitical kohanim, whom David had assigned over the House of Adonai to offer the burnt offerings of Adonai, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, accompanied by rejoicing and singing as ordered by David.

So he was buried in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good things in Israel and toward God and His House.

When they withdrew from him—for they left him very sick—his own servants plotted against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the kohen, and assassinated him on his bed. He died and was buried in the city of David—but not in the tombs of the kings.

Jotham slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. Ahaz his son became king in his place.

Ahaz’s Sin in the Valley of Ben-hinnom

Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. But he did not do what was right in the eyes of Adonai as his father David had done,

He did right in the eyes of Adonai, just as his father David had done.

He stationed the Levites in the House of Adonai with cymbals, harps and lyres, according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet. For the command was by the authority of Adonai through His prophets.

So the Levites stood with David’s instruments and the kohanim with the trumpets.

Then Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Adonai also began with the trumpets, together with the instruments of King David of Israel.

Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to Adonai with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.

There was great joy in Jerusalem, for nothing like this had happened in Jerusalem since the time of Solomon son of David king of Israel.

Then he took courage and rebuilt the entire wall that had been broken down, raised up the towers, added another outer wall, fortified the Millo in the city of David, and made plenty of weapons and shields.

It was also Hezekiah who stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon and channeled them downward to the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all that he did.

So Hezekiah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the upper section of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. His son Manasseh became king in his place.

Then he placed the carved image of the idol that he had made in the House of God—of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this House and in Jerusalem that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever.

Afterward he built an outer wall to the city of David west of Gihon in the valley, as far as the entrance to the Fish Gate, and encircling the Ophel; he also raised it up much higher. He stationed military officers in all the fortified cities of Judah.

He did right in the eyes of Adonai, and walked in the ways of his father David. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek after the God of his father David. In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, and the carved and molten images.

He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were consecrated to Adonai, “Put the holy Ark in the House which Solomon the son of King David of Israel built. Since it is no longer a burden on your shoulders now, serve Adonai your God and His people Israel.

Prepare youselves by your ancestral houses in your divisions, according to the writing of King David of Israel and according to the writing of his son Solomon.

The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the commandment of David, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, the king’s seer. The gatekeepers were at every gate. They did not need to depart from their posts for their fellow Levites provided for them.

Forefathers of Yeshua the Messiah

The book of the genealogy of Yeshua ha-Mashiach, Ben-David, Ben-Avraham:

and Jesse fathered David the king. David fathered Solomon by the wife of Uriah,

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the Babylonian exile are fourteen generations, and from the Babylonian exile until the Messiah are fourteen generations.

But while he considered these things, behold, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Miriam as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Ruach ha-Kodesh.

As Yeshua went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Ben-David, have mercy on us!”

But He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he became hungry, and those with him?

All the crowds were astounded and saying, “This can’t be Ben-David, can it?”

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that district came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, O Master, Ben-David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.”

And here two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Yeshua was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Master, Ben-David!”

The crowd warned them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Master, Ben-David!”

The crowds going before Him and those following kept shouting, saying, “Hoshia-na to Ben-David! Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hoshia-na in the highest!”

But when the ruling kohanim and Torah scholars saw the wonders He performed, and the children crying out in the Temple and saying, “Hoshia-na to Ben-David,” they became indignant.

saying, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose Son is He?” “David’s,” they say to Him.

“Then how is it,” He says to them, “that David by the Ruach calls him ‘Lord’?

If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”

And He said to them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was in need, and he and those with him became hungry?

Ben-David Heals the Blind

Then they came to Jericho. Now as Yeshua was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.

When he heard that it was Yeshua of Natzeret, he began to cry out, “Ben-David, Yeshua! Have mercy on me!”

Many were warning him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Ben-David, have mercy on me!”

Ben-David Enters Jerusalem

Now as they draw near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, to the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sends two of His disciples

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hoshia-na in the highest!”

Who Is King David’s Lord?

While Yeshua was teaching in the Temple, He said, “How is it that the Torah scholars say that the Messiah is Ben-David?

David himself, through the Ruach ha-Kodesh, said, ‘Adonai said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

If David himself calls Him ‘Lord,’ in what way is He his son?” And the large crowd was listening to Him with delight.

and to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miriam.

He will be great and will be called Ben-Elyon. Adonai Elohim will give Him the throne of David, His father.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

Now Joseph also went up from the Galilee, out of the town of Natzeret to Judah, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David.

A Savior is born to you today in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord.

The Lineage of Yeshua Ben-David Ben-Elohim

Yeshua was about thirty years old when He began his ministry. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

Then answering them, Yeshua said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those with him?

And he cried out, saying, “Yeshua, Ben-David, have mercy on me!”

And those leading the way were scolding him, so he would be quiet. But he kept shouting all the more, “Ben-David, have mercy on me!”

Then Yeshua said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is Ben-David?

For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, ‘Adonai said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,

David then calls Him ‘Lord’; so how is He his son?”

Didn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from the seed of David and from Bethlehem, David’s town?”

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Ruach ha-Kodesh foretold by the mouth of David, concerning Judah—who became a guide to those who seized Yeshua.

For David says about Him, ‘I saw Adonai always before me, for He is at my right hand so that I might not be shaken.

“Brothers, I can confidently tell you that the patriarch David died and was buried—his tomb is with us to this day.

David saw beforehand and spoke of Messiah’s resurrection—that He was not abandoned to Sheol, and His body did not see decay.

For David did not ascend into the heavens; yet he himself says, ‘Adonai said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,

You said by the Ruach ha-Kodesh, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, ‘Why did the nations rage and the peoples plot foolish things?

Our fathers received it in turn and brought it in with Joshua when they took possession of the land of the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it remained until the days of David,

After removing him, He raised up David to be their king. He also testified about him and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do My will.’

“But since He raised Him up from the dead, never to return to decay, He has spoken in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure mercies of David.’

For after David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he went to sleep and was laid with his fathers and saw decay.

‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David. I will rebuild its ruins and I will restore it,

Concerning His Son, He came into being from the seed of David according to the flesh.

just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

Remember Yeshua the Messiah, raised from the dead, from the seed of David—according to my Good News.

Again, God appoints a certain day—“Today”—saying through David after so long a time, just as it has been said before, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Philadelphia: I Have Loved You

To the angel of Messiah’s community in Philadelphia write: “Thus says the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens:

Then one of the elders tells me, “Stop weeping! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed—He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

I, Yeshua, have sent My angel to testify these things to you for My communities. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”