Chronological
David Consolidates His Kingdom(A)
11 Hiram king of the city of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and ·stonecutters [stonemasons]. They built a ·palace [L house] for David. 12 Then David ·knew [realized] that the Lord really had ·made [confirmed; established] him king ·of [over] Israel and that the Lord had ·made his kingdom great [blessed/exalted his kingdom] ·because the Lord loved [for the sake of] his people Israel.
13 After he came from Hebron, David took for himself more ·slave women [concubines; C a secondary wife; 3:7] and wives in Jerusalem. More sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the names of the sons born to David in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been ·made [anointed] king over Israel, all the Philistines went to ·look for [seek; search for] him. But when David heard the news, he went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines ·came [arrived] and ·camped [L spread out] in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 David ·asked [consulted; inquired of] the Lord [C through the Urim and Thummim; Ex. 28:30; 1 Sam. 23:1–6], “Should I ·attack [L go up against] the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The Lord said to David, “Go [L up]! I will ·certainly [surely] hand them over to you.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim and ·defeated [L struck] the Philistines there. David said, “Like a flood of water, the Lord has broken through my enemies in front of me.” So David named the place Baal Perazim [C “the Lord breaks through”]. 21 The Philistines ·left their idols behind [abandoned their idols] at Baal Perazim, so David and his men carried them away.
22 Once again the Philistines came and ·camped at [L spread out in] the Valley of Rephaim. 23 When David ·prayed to [consulted; inquired of] the Lord, he answered, “Don’t ·attack the Philistines from the front [go up]. Instead, go around and attack them ·in front of [across from; near] the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, ·act quickly [be alert]. I, the Lord, will have gone ahead of you to ·defeat [L strike] the Philistine army.” 25 So David did what the Lord commanded. He ·defeated the Philistines and chased them [L struck the Philistines] all the way from ·Gibeon [Giba] to Gezer.
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem(B)
6 David again gathered all the ·chosen men [elite troops] of Israel—thirty thousand of them. 2 Then he and all his people went to Baalah in Judah [C another name for Kiriath Jearim] to bring back the Ark of God [Ex. 25:10; 1 Sam. 7:2–3]. The Ark is called by the Name, the name of the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], ·whose throne is [L who is enthroned] ·between [or above; or on] the ·gold creatures with wings [L cherubim; Ex. 25:18–22]. 3 They put the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of Abinadab’s house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, ·led [guided; drove] the new cart 4 which had the Ark of God on it. Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all the Israelites were celebrating in the presence of the Lord. They were playing wooden instruments: lyres, harps, tambourines, ·rattles [castanets], and cymbals.
6 When David’s men came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen ·stumbled [or made it tilt]. So Uzzah reached out ·to steady [L and took hold of] the Ark of God. 7 The ·Lord was angry with [L Lord’s anger burned against] Uzzah and [L he] ·killed him [L struck him down there] because of what he did. So Uzzah died there beside the Ark of God. 8 David ·was angry because the Lord had killed [L resented the Lord’s outburst of anger against] Uzzah. ·Now [L To this day] that place is called ·the Punishment of Uzzah [Outburst upon/against Uzzah; L Perez-uzzah].
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the Ark of the Lord come ·to me [into my care] now?” 10 So David ·would not [L was unwilling to] move the Ark of the Lord to be with him in ·Jerusalem [L the City of David]. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom, ·a man from Gath [the Gittite]. 11 The Ark of the Lord stayed in Obed-Edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his ·family [household].
12 The people told David, “The Lord has blessed the ·family [household] of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because the Ark of God is there.” So David went and brought it up from Obed-Edom’s house to Jerusalem with ·joy [gladness; a great celebration]. 13 When the men carrying the Ark of the Lord had walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a ·fat calf [fat sheep; L fatling]. 14 Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen ·vest [ephod; Ex. 28:6–14]. 15 David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew the ·trumpets [ram’s horns] as they brought the Ark of the Lord to the city.
16 As the Ark of the Lord came into the city [L of David], Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw David ·jumping [leaping] and ·dancing [whirling] in the presence of the Lord, she ·hated him [L despised/had contempt for him in her heart].
17 David put up a tent for the Ark of the Lord, and then the Israelites put it in its place inside the tent. David offered whole burnt offerings and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1] before the Lord. 18 When David finished offering the whole burnt offerings and the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1], he blessed the people in the name of the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts]. 19 David gave a loaf of bread, a ·cake [cluster] of dates, and a ·cake [cluster] of raisins to ·every Israelite [L the whole multitude/crowd of Israel], both men and women. Then all the people went home.
20 David went back to bless ·the people in his home [his household/family], but Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. She said, “·With what honor [How] the king of Israel ·acted [distinguished himself] today! You ·took off your clothes [exposed/uncovered/displayed yourself] in front of the servant girls of your officers like ·one who takes off his clothes without shame [any vulgar/foolish/shameless fellow might do]!”
21 Then David said to Michal, “I did it ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. The Lord chose me, ·not [over; above] your father ·or anyone from Saul’s family [and all his house]. The Lord appointed me ·to be [ruler; leader; prince] over Israel. So I will celebrate ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. 22 Maybe I will ·lose even more honor [become even more lightly esteemed/contemptible/undignified], and maybe I will be ·brought down in my own opinion [humbled in my own eyes], but the ·girls [maids; servant girls] you talk about will honor me!”
23 And Saul’s daughter Michal had no children to the day she died.
Bringing Back the Ark(A)
13 David ·talked with [consulted] all the officers of his army, the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a hundred men and the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a thousand men. 2 Then David ·called the people of Israel together and said [L said to the whole assembly of Israel], “If you ·think it is a good idea [approve], and if it is ·what the Lord our God wants [the will of/from the Lord our God], let’s send a message. Let’s tell our ·fellow Israelites [kinsmen; brothers] in all the ·areas [land] of Israel and the priests and Levites living with them in their towns and pastures to come and ·join [meet] us. 3 Let’s bring the Ark of our God back to us. We did not ·use it to ask God for help [inquire of it] while Saul was king.” 4 All the people agreed ·with David [to do so], because they all thought it was the right thing to do.
5 So David ·gathered [summoned; assembled] all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to ·Lebo [or The Entrance/Pass of] Hamath, to bring the Ark of God back from the town of Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah, which is Kiriath Jearim, to get the Ark of God the Lord. God’s throne is ·between [above; on] the ·golden, winged creatures on the Ark [L cherubim], and the Ark is called by his name.
7 The people carried the Ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, and Uzzah and Ahio guided it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating ·in the presence of [before] God. With all their ·strength [might] they were singing and playing lyres, harps, ·tambourines [timbrels], cymbals, and trumpets.
9 When David’s men came to the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to ·steady [hold] the Ark. 10 The ·Lord was angry with [L the Lord’s anger burned against] Uzzah and ·killed him [struck him dead], because he had touched the Ark. So Uzzah died there ·in the presence of [before] God.
11 David was angry because the ·Lord had punished Uzzah in his anger [Lord’s anger had L burst/broken out against Uzzah]. Now that place is called Perez-uzzah [C “the outburst against Uzzah”].
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I bring the Ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the Ark with him to the City of David [C Jerusalem]. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom who was from Gath. 14 The Ark of God stayed with Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] and everything he owned.
David’s Kingdom Grows(B)
14 Hiram king of the city of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar logs, bricklayers, and carpenters to build a ·palace [L house] for David. 2 Then David ·knew [understood; realized] that the Lord really had ·made [confirmed; established] him king of Israel and that he had made his kingdom ·great [highly exalted]. The Lord did this ·because he loved [for the sake of] his people Israel.
3 David ·married more women [took more wives] in Jerusalem and ·had [fathered] more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of David’s children born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been ·made [anointed] king of all Israel, they went ·to look [in full force to search] for him. But David heard about it and went out ·to fight [against] them. 9 The Philistines had ·attacked and robbed the people in [raided] the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David ·asked [inquired of; C perhaps by means of the Urim and Thummim; Ex. 28:30] God, “Should I go ·and attack [against] the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”
11 So David and his men went up to the town of Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. David said, “Like a flood of water, God has used me to break through my enemies.” So that place was named Baal Perazim [C “Lord who bursts through”]. 12 The Philistines had ·left [abandoned] their idols there, so David ordered his men to burn them.
13 Soon the Philistines ·attacked the people in [raided] the valley again. 14 David ·prayed to [inquired of] God again [v. 10], and God answered him, saying, “Don’t attack the Philistines ·from the front [straight on; directly]. Instead, ·go [circle] around them and attack them ·in front of the balsam [or near the poplar] trees. 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the ·balsam [or poplar] trees, then attack. I, God, will have gone out before you to ·defeat [strike down] the Philistine army.” 16 David did as God commanded, and he and his men ·defeated [struck down] the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 So David became famous in ·all the countries [every land], and the Lord made all nations afraid of him.
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem(C)
15 David built ·houses [buildings] for himself in the City of David [C Jerusalem]. Then he prepared a place for the Ark of God, and he set up a tent for it. 2 David said, “Only the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The Lord chose them to carry the Ark of the Lord and to ·serve [minister to/for] him forever.”
3 David ·called [summoned; assembled] all the people of Israel to come to Jerusalem. He wanted to bring the Ark of the Lord to the place he had ·made [prepared] for it. 4 David called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites. 5 There were one hundred twenty ·people from [L sons of] Kohath’s ·family group [clan], with Uriel as their ·leader [chief]. 6 There were two hundred twenty ·people from [L sons of] Merari’s ·family group [clan], with Asaiah as their ·leader [chief]. 7 There were one hundred thirty ·people from [L sons of] ·Gershon’s [or Gersom’s; 6:1] ·family group [clan], with Joel as their ·leader [chief]. 8 There were two hundred ·people from [L sons of] Elizaphan’s ·family group [clan], with Shemaiah as their ·leader [chief]. 9 There were eighty ·people from [L sons of] Hebron’s ·family group [clan], with Eliel as their ·leader [chief]. 10 And there were one hundred twelve ·people from [L sons of] Uzziel’s ·family group [clan], with Amminadab as their ·leader [chief].
11 Then David ·asked [called for; summoned] the priests Zadok and Abiathar and these Levites to come to him: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 David said to them, “You are the leaders of the ·families [clans] of Levi. You and the other Levites must ·give yourselves for service [consecrate/purify/sanctify yourselves] to the Lord, so that you can bring up the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have ·made [prepared] for it. 13 The first time we did not ask the Lord ·how [the proper/lawful way] to carry it. You Levites didn’t carry it, so the Lord our God ·punished [L burst/broke out against] us.”
14 Then the priests and Levites ·prepared themselves for service to the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves] so they could ·carry [bring up] the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 The Levites used special poles to carry the Ark of God on their shoulders, as Moses had ·commanded [ordered; instructed], ·just as the Lord had said they should [L according to the word of the Lord].
16 David ·told [commanded; ordered] the ·leaders [chiefs] of the Levites to appoint their ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] as ·singers [musicians] to play their lyres, harps, and cymbals and to ·sing happy songs [play/sing joyfully].
17 So the Levites appointed Heman and his ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] Asaph and Ethan. Heman was Joel’s son. Asaph was Berekiah’s son. And Ethan, from the Merari ·family group [clan], was Kushaiah’s son. 18 There was also a second ·group [rank; C possibly assistants] of Levites: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They were the Levite ·guards [gatekeepers].
19 The ·singers [musicians] Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played ·the lyres [harps] according to alamoth [C possibly indicating to be sung by a soprano; Ps. 46:title]. 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah played the ·harps [lyres] according to ·sheminith [L eighth; C a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or perhaps to the manner of singing; Ps. 12:title; Ps. 16:title]. 22 The Levite leader Kenaniah was in charge of the singing, because he was ·very good at it [highly skilled; very knowledgeable].
23 Berekiah and Elkanah were two of the ·guards [gatekeepers] for the Ark. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer had the job of blowing trumpets ·in front of [before] the Ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also ·guards [gatekeepers] for the Ark.
25 David, the ·leaders [elders] of Israel, and the ·commanders [captains] of a thousand soldiers went to ·get [bring up] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They all went to bring the Ark from Obed-Edom’s house with great ·joy [celebration]. 26 Because God helped the Levites who carried the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams]. 27 All the Levites who carried the Ark, and Kenaniah, the man in charge of the singing, and all the singers wore robes of fine linen. David also wore a robe of fine linen and a ·holy vest of fine linen [L ephod; Ex. 28:6–14]. 28 So all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They shouted, blew horns and trumpets, and played cymbals, lyres, and harps.
29 As the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord entered the City of David [C Jerusalem], Saul’s daughter Michal watched from a window. When she saw King David ·dancing [leaping] and celebrating, she hated him in her heart.
16 They brought the Ark of God and put it ·inside [in the middle of] the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1] to God. 2 When David had finished ·giving [sacrificing; offering] the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1], he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 He gave a loaf of bread, some ·dates [or meat], and raisins to every Israelite man and woman.
The Ministry of the Levites(D)
4 Then David appointed some of the Levites to ·serve [minister] before the Ark of the Lord. They had the job of ·leading the worship [celebrating; extolling; invoking; offering prayers] and giving thanks and praising the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph, who played the cymbals, was the ·leader [chief]. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests who ·blew [played] the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] God. 7 That day David first ·gave [assigned; appointed] Asaph and his ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers] ·the job of singing praises [this song of thanksgiving; vv. 8–22 correspond to Ps. 105:1–15] to the Lord.
David’s Song of Thanks
8 Give thanks to the Lord and ·pray to him [L call upon his name].
·Tell [Make known among; Proclaim to] the ·nations [world; peoples] ·what he has done [his deeds/accomplishments].
9 Sing to him; ·sing praises [make music] to him.
Tell about all his ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works].
10 ·Be glad that you are his [Glory/Exult/Take pride in his holy name];
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord ·be happy [rejoice].
11 ·Depend on [Search for] the Lord and his strength;
·always go to him for help [seek his presence/L face continually].
12 Remember the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he has ·done [performed],
his ·marvels [miracles; mighty acts], and his ·decisions [judgments he pronounced/L from his mouth].
13 You are the ·descendants [L seed] of his servant, Israel;
you are the ·children [L sons] of Jacob, his chosen ·people [L ones].
14 He is the Lord our God.
His ·laws [judgments; justice] are ·for [or in; throughout] all the ·world [earth; land].
15 ·He will keep [or Remember] his ·agreement [treaty; covenant] forever;
·he will keep his promises always [the commitment/promise/word he made/commanded for a thousand generations].
16 He will keep the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he made with Abraham
and the ·promise he made [oath/vow he swore] to Isaac.
17 He made it a law ·for the people of [to] Jacob;
he made it an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with Israel to last forever.
18 He said, “I will give the land of Canaan to you,
·to belong to you [as the portion you will inherit].”
19 Then God’s people were few in number, very few,
and they were strangers in the land.
20 They ·went [wandered] from one nation to another,
from one kingdom to another.
21 But he did not let anyone ·hurt [oppress] them;
he ·warned kings not to harm them [rebuked/admonished kings].
22 He said, “Don’t touch my ·chosen people [L anointed ones],
and don’t harm my prophets.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Every day ·tell [proclaim] ·how he saves us [his salvation].
24 ·Tell [Declare to] the nations about his glory [C his manifest presence];
tell all ·peoples [the nations] the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he does.
25 The Lord is great; ·he should be praised [most worthy of praise; T and greatly to be praised].
He should be ·respected more than [feared above] all gods.
26 All the gods of the ·nations [peoples] are only idols,
but the Lord made the ·skies [heavens].
27 ·He has glory and majesty [Splendor/Honor and majesty surround/L are before him];
·he has power and joy in [strength and joy are in/fill] his ·Temple [L place].
28 ·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; T Ascribe to] the Lord, all nations on earth.
·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; T Ascribe to] the Lord’s glory and ·power [strength];
29 ·praise [recognize; give what’s due to; T ascribe to] the glory of the Lord’s name.
Bring an offering and come ·to him [before him; into his presence].
Worship the Lord ·because he is holy [in his holy splendor].
30 Tremble before him, ·everyone on [all the] earth.
The earth is ·set [firmly established], and it cannot be moved.
31 Let the ·skies [heavens] rejoice and the earth be glad.
Let ·people [the nations] everywhere say, “The Lord ·is king [reigns]!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it ·shout [roar; thunder];
let the fields and everything in them ·rejoice [exult; celebrate; be jubilant].
33 Then the trees of the forest will ·sing [shout; cry out]
for joy before the Lord.
·They will sing because [For] he is coming to judge the ·world [earth].
34 Thank the Lord because he is good.
His ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever.
35 Say to him, “Save us, God ·our Savior [of our salvation],
and ·bring us back and save [gather and rescue] us from ·other [the] nations.
Then we will thank ·you [your holy name]
and ·will gladly praise you [glory in your praise].”
36 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel.
·He always was and always will be [… from everlasting to everlasting].
All the people said “Amen” and praised the Lord.
37 Then David left Asaph and ·the other Levites [his relatives/kinsmen/L brothers] there ·in front of [before] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] the Lord. They were to ·serve [minister] there ·every day [as each day’s work required]. 38 David also left Obed-Edom and sixty-eight ·other Levites [relatives; kinsmen; L brothers] to serve with them. Hosah and Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun were ·guards [gatekeepers].
39 David left Zadok the priest and ·the other priests who served with him in front of [his relatives/kinsmen/L brothers before] the ·Tent [Tabernacle] of the Lord at the ·place of worship [L high place] in Gibeon. 40 Every morning and evening they offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings, ·following [according to] ·the rules written in the Teachings [L everything written in the Law] of the Lord, which he had ·given [commanded] Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest chosen by name to ·sing praises [give thanks] to the Lord because his ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever. 42 Heman and Jeduthun ·also had the job of playing the [or had with them] trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments ·when songs were sung to God [for sacred songs]. Jeduthun’s sons guarded the gates.
43 Then all the people left for their homes, and David also went home to bless ·the people in his home [his household].
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