Chronological
David’s Palace, Wives, and Children in Jerusalem(A)
11 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedarwood, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a palace for David. 12 So David realized that Yahweh had established him as king of Israel and made his kingship famous for the sake of Israel, Yahweh’s people.
13 David married more concubines[a] and wives from Jerusalem after he had come there from Hebron, and he fathered more sons and daughters. 14 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines(B)
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, all of them came to attack David. But David heard about it and went to the fortress. 18 The Philistines had come and overrun the valley of Rephaim.
19 David asked Yahweh, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
Yahweh answered David, “Attack! I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. He said, “Yahweh has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood.” That is why that place is called Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms]. 21 The Philistines left their idols there, so David and his men carried the idols away.
22 The Philistines again attacked and overran the valley of Rephaim. 23 David asked Yahweh, and he answered, “Don’t attack now, but circle around behind them, and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act immediately because Yahweh has gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.” 25 David did as Yahweh ordered him and defeated the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem(C)
6 David again assembled all the best soldiers in Israel, 30,000 men. 2 He and all the people with him left Baalah in Judah[b] to bring Elohim’s ark to Jerusalem. (The ark is called by the name of Yahweh Tsebaoth, who is enthroned over the angels.[c]) 3 David and his men put Elohim’s ark on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s home on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the new cart. 4 They brought it from Abinadab’s home, with Ahio walking ahead of the ark. 5 David and the entire nation of Israel were celebrating in Yahweh’s presence with all kinds of instruments made from cypress wood[d] and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums,[e] and cymbals.
6 But when they came to Nacon’s threshing floor,[f] the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out for the ark of Elohim and grabbed it. 7 Yahweh became angry with Uzzah, so God killed him there for his lack of respect. He died beside the ark of Elohim.
8 David was angry because Yahweh had struck Uzzah so violently. (That place is still called Perez Uzzah [The Striking of Uzzah] today.) 9 David was afraid of Yahweh that day. “How can the ark of Yahweh come to my city?” he asked. 10 So David wouldn’t bring the ark of Yahweh with him to the City of David. Instead, he rerouted it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath. 11 The ark of Yahweh stayed at the home of Obed Edom from Gath for three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed Edom and his whole family.
12 King David was told, “Yahweh has blessed Obed Edom’s home and everything he owns because of the ark of Elohim.” Then David joyfully went to get the ark of Elohim from Obed Edom’s house and bring it to the City of David. 13 When those who carried the ark of Yahweh had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
14 Wearing a linen ephod,[g] David danced in Yahweh’s presence with all his might. 15 He and the entire nation of Israel brought the ark of Yahweh with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams’ horns. 16 When the ark of Yahweh came to the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing in Yahweh’s presence, so she despised him.
17 The men carrying the ark set it in its place inside the tent David had put up for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Yahweh’s presence. 18 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh Tsebaoth. 19 He also distributed to all the people—to the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women—one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home.
20 When David returned to bless his family, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How dignified Israel’s king was today! He was exposing himself before the eyes of the slave girls of his palace staff—like a mindless fool might expose himself!”
21 David answered Michal, “I didn’t dance in front of the slave girls but in front of Yahweh. He chose me rather than your father or anyone in your father’s house, and he appointed me leader of Israel, Yahweh’s people. I will celebrate in Yahweh’s presence, 22 and I will degrade myself even more than this. Even if I am humiliated in your eyes, I will be honored by these slave girls you speak about.”
23 So Saul’s daughter Michal was childless her entire life.
David Has the Ark Brought to Obed Edom’s House(A)
13 David consulted with every officer who commanded a regiment or battalion. 2 Then he told the whole assembly of Israel, “If you approve and if Yahweh our Elohim has consented,[a] we will send an invitation to the rest of our relatives in every region of Israel and to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands so that they may join us. 3 Then we’ll bring back our Elohim’s ark, which we ignored while Saul was king.”
4 The whole assembly agreed to this because the people considered it the right thing to do. 5 So David gathered all Israel from the Shihor River near Egypt to the border of Hamath in order to bring Elohim’s ark from Kiriath Jearim.
6 David and all Israel went to Baalah in Kiriath Jearim, which is in Judah, to bring Elohim’s ark to Jerusalem. (Yahweh is enthroned over the angels[b] on the ark where his name is used.) 7 David and his men put Elohim’s ark on a new cart from Abinadab’s home. Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart. 8 David and all Israel were celebrating in Elohim’s presence with all their might, with songs, with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
9 But when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor,[c] the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out to grab the ark. 10 Yahweh became angry with Uzzah and killed him for reaching for the ark. He died in Elohim’s presence.
11 David was angry because Yahweh had struck Uzzah so violently. (That place is still called Perez Uzzah [The Striking of Uzzah] today.) 12 David was afraid of Elohim that day. “How can I bring Elohim’s ark to my city?” he asked. 13 So he didn’t bring God’s ark to his home, the City of David. Instead, he rerouted it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath. 14 Elohim’s ark stayed at the home of Obed Edom with his family for three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed Edom’s family and everything he owned.
David’s Palace, Wives, and Children in Jerusalem(B)
14 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedarwood, masons, and carpenters to build a palace for David. 2 So David realized that Yahweh had established him as king of Israel and that his kingdom was made famous for the sake of Israel, Yahweh’s people.
3 David married more wives in Jerusalem and fathered more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines(C)
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, all of them came to attack David. But David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 The Philistines had come and raided the valley of Rephaim.
10 David asked Elohim, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
Yahweh answered him, “Attack! I will hand them over to you.”
11 So David and his men attacked and defeated the Philistines at Baal Perazim. David said, “Using my power like an overwhelming flood, Elohim has overwhelmed my enemies.” That is why they call that place Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms]. 12 The Philistines left their gods there, so David ordered that the gods be burned.
13 The Philistines again raided the valley. 14 Once more David asked Elohim.
Elohim answered him, “Don’t go after them. Circle around, and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 15 As you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out and fight because Elohim has gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.”
16 David did as Elohim ordered him, and his men defeated the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 David’s fame spread through all lands, and Yahweh made all the nations fear him.
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem(D)
15 After David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for Elohim’s ark and set up a tent for it. 2 Then David insisted that only the Levites carry Elohim’s ark because Yahweh had chosen them to carry Yahweh’s ark and to serve him forever.
3 David called together all Israel at Jerusalem to bring Yahweh’s ark to the place he had prepared for it. 4 David also called together Aaron’s descendants and the Levites. 5 Leading Kohath’s descendants was Uriel, who came with 120 of his relatives. 6 Leading Merari’s descendants was Asaiah, who came with 220 of his relatives. 7 Leading Gershom’s descendants was Joel, who came with 130 of his relatives. 8 Leading Elizaphan’s descendants was Shemaiah, who came with 200 of his relatives. 9 Leading Hebron’s descendants was Eliel, who came with 80 of his relatives. 10 Leading Uzziel’s descendants was Amminadab, who came with 112 of his relatives.
11 David called for the priests Zadok and Abiathar and for the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy. Then bring the ark of Yahweh Elohim of Israel to the place I prepared for it. 13 Because you weren’t there the first time, Yahweh our Elohim struck us. We hadn’t dedicated our lives to serving him in the way he designated.”
14 So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy in order to move the ark of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 15 The Levites carried Elohim’s ark on their shoulders. They used poles as Moses had commanded according to Yahweh’s instructions.
16 David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their relatives to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman, son of Joel, and from his relatives they appointed Asaph, Berechiah’s son. From their own relatives, Merari’s descendants, they appointed Ethan, son of Kushaiah. 18 In addition, they appointed their relatives from the second division: Zechariah,[d] Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah. Obed Edom and Jeiel were appointed gatekeepers. 19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were appointed to play harps according to alamoth.[e] 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were appointed to play lyres and to conduct the sheminith.[f] 22 Chenaniah, a Levite leader, instructed others how to sing prophetic songs because he was skilled at it. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew trumpets in front of Elohim’s ark. Obed Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
25 So David, the leaders of Israel, and the army’s commanders joyfully went to get the ark of Yahweh’s promise from Obed Edom’s house. 26 Because Elohim helped the Levites who carried the ark of Yahweh’s promise, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was dressed in a fine linen robe, as were all the Levites who carried the ark, the Levites who were singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the musicians’ prophetic songs. David also wore a linen ephod.[g]
28 All Israel brought the ark of Yahweh’s promise with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams’ horns, trumpets, cymbals, harps, and lyres. 29 When the ark of Yahweh’s promise came to the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, so she despised him.
16 The men carrying the ark set it inside the tent David had put up for it. They presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Elohim’s presence. 2 When David had finished sacrificing burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. 3 He also distributed to every person in Israel—both men and women—a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.
The Levites Lead the Worship in Jerusalem(E)
4 David appointed some Levites to serve in front of Yahweh’s ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 5 Asaph was the head; Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel with harps and lyres. Asaph played the cymbals. 6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played trumpets all the time in front of the ark of Elohim’s promise. 7 For the first time David entrusted Asaph and his relatives with the task of singing songs of thanks to Yahweh:
8 “Give thanks to Yahweh.
Call on his name.
Make known among the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him.
Make music to praise him.
Meditate on all the miracles he has done.
10 Brag about his holy name.
Let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
11 Search for Yahweh and his strength.
Always seek his presence.
12 Remember the miracles he performed,
the amazing things he did and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you descendants of Israel, his servant,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14 “He is Yahweh our Elohim.
His judgments are pronounced throughout the earth.
15 Remember his promise[h] forever,
the word that he commanded for a thousand generations,
16 the promise that he made to Abraham,
and his sworn promise to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it as a law for Jacob,
as an everlasting promise to Israel,
18 by saying, ‘I will give you Canaan.
It is your share of the inheritance.’
19 “While they were few in number,
a small group of foreigners living in that land,
20 they wandered from nation to nation
and from one kingdom to another.
21 He didn’t permit anyone to oppress them.
He warned kings about them:
22 ‘Do not touch my anointed ones
or harm my prophets.’
23 “Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Day after day announce that Yahweh saves his people.
24 Tell people about his glory.
Tell all the nations about his miracles.
25 “Yahweh is great!
He should be highly praised.
He should be feared more than all other gods
26 because all the gods of the nations are idols.
Yahweh made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are in his presence.
Strength and joy are where he is.
28 “Give to Yahweh, you families of the nations.
Give to Yahweh glory and power.
29 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
Bring an offering, and come to him.
Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.
30 Tremble in his presence, all the earth!
“The earth stands firm; it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.
Say to the nations, ‘Yahweh rules as king!’
32 Let the sea and everything in it roar like thunder.
Let the fields and everything in them rejoice.
33 Then the trees in the forest will sing with joy
in the presence of Yahweh when he comes to judge the earth.
34 “Give thanks to Yahweh because he is good,
because his mercy endures forever.
35 Say, ‘Rescue us, O Elohim our Savior.
Gather us and save us from the nations
so that we may give thanks to your holy name
and make your praise our glory.’
36 Thanks be to Yahweh Elohim of Israel
from everlasting to everlasting.”
Then all the people said amen and praised Yahweh.
37 David left Asaph and his relatives to serve continually in front of the ark of Yahweh’s promise, as the daily work required. 38 David also left Obed Edom and 68 of his relatives to serve there. Obed Edom (Jeduthun’s son) and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. 39 David left Zadok and his priestly relatives to serve in Yahweh’s tent at the place of worship in Gibeon. 40 They were ordered to sacrifice burnt offerings to Yahweh. This happened on the altar of burnt offerings continually, morning and evening, as written in Yahweh’s Teachings that he gave Israel. 41 With Zadok and his relatives were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of the Levites who had been selected, chosen by name, to give thanks to Yahweh by singing, “His mercy endures forever.” 42 Also, Heman and Jeduthun played trumpets, cymbals, and the other musical instruments that accompany sacred songs. Jeduthun’s sons were stationed at the gate.
43 Then all the people went home. David went back to bless his family.
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.