Chronological
The Gatekeepers
26 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers:
from the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
2 Meshelemiah had sons:
Zechariah the firstborn,
Jediael the second,
Zebadiah the third,
Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth,
Jehohanan the sixth,
and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed-Edom had sons:
Shemaiah the firstborn,
Jehozabad the second,
Joah the third,
Sakar the fourth,
Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth,
Issachar the seventh,
and Peullethai the eighth
(for God blessed him).
6 Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men: namely Elihu and Semakiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom with their sons and their brothers, able men qualified for service, sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
9 Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen in all.
10 Also Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah, thirteen.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, for their chief men, had assignments to minister in the house of the Lord just as their brothers. 13 They cast lots, small and great alike, according to their fathers’ houses, gate by gate.
14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate; 15 to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons was allotted the storehouse. 16 For Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, at the Shalleketh Gate on the ascending road, guard corresponding to guard.
17 On the east there were six Levites each day, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the storehouse. 18 For the colonnade on the west, there were four at the highway, and two at the colonnade.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.
The Treasurers and Other Officials
20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated offerings.
21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites, belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasures of the house of the Lord.
23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24 Shubael the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures. 25 His brothers by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son, and Shelomith his son. 26 This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasures of the dedicated offerings, which David the king, the heads of the fathers, the officers of the thousands and the hundreds, and the commanders of the army had dedicated. 27 Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated for the maintenance of the house of the Lord. 28 Also all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated—all dedicated gifts were in the care of Shelomith and his brothers.
29 From the Izharites, Kenaniah and his sons were assigned the outside duties for Israel, as officers and judges.
30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his brothers, one thousand seven hundred able men, were administrators of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the service of the king. 31 Jeriah was chief of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David, mighty men of valor were found in the records among the Hebronites at Jazer of Gilead, 32 and his brothers, able men, two thousand seven hundred heads of the fathers, to them King David entrusted all matters of God and of the king concerning the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
The Military Divisions
27 Now these are the sons of Israel according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who ministered to the king in all matters concerning the divisions, which came and went, month by month throughout all the months of the year, to each division of twenty-four thousand:
2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel led the first division for the first month; in his division, twenty-four thousand. 3 He was from the sons of Perez and was the leader of all the officers of the army for the first month.
4 Dodai the Ahohite and his division led the division of the second month with Mikloth as the ruler: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
5 The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: in his division, twenty-four thousand. 6 Benaiah himself was the mighty man of the thirty who led the thirty: Ammizabad his son led his division.
7 The fourth for the fourth month, Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
8 The fifth for the fifth month, the leader Shamhuth the Izrahite: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
9 The sixth for the sixth month, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
10 The seventh for the seventh month, Helez the Pelonite, from the sons of Ephraim: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
11 The eighth for the eighth month, Sibbekai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
12 The ninth for the ninth month, Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
13 The tenth for the tenth month, Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
14 The eleventh for the eleventh month, Benaiah the Pirathonite, from the sons of Ephraim: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
15 The twelfth for the twelfth month, Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: in his division, twenty-four thousand.
Leaders of the Tribes
16 Over the tribes of Israel:
The chief officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zikri;
over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maakah;
17 over the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel;
over the Aaronites, Zadok;
18 over Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David;
over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19 over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah;
over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;
20 over the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah;
over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah;
over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22 over Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham.
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23 But David did not take the number from twenty years old and under because the Lord had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of the heavens. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count them, but he did not finish. And because of this wrath came on Israel, and the number was not recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David.
Civic Officials
25 Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasures, and Jonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers.
26 Ezri the son of Kelub was over those who did the work of the field to till the ground.
27 Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over what was in the vineyards for the stores of wine.
28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the Shephelah, and Joash was over the stores of oil.
29 Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys.
30 Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, and Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys.
31 Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks.
All these were the overseers of King David’s property.
32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hakmoni was with the king’s sons.
33 Now Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. 34 Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and Abiathar came after Ahithophel, and Joab was the leader of the king’s army.
David’s Plans for the Temple
28 Now David assembled all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the officers of the divisions of those ministering to the king, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, the stewards over all the property and livestock of the king and his sons with the eunuchs and the fighting men and all the brave warriors.
2 So King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, a footstool for the feet of our God, so I prepared to build it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have spilled much blood.’
4 “Still, the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever; for He chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 For He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is fully committed to keep My commandments and My judgments as it is this day.’
8 “Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your fathers and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing spirit, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will abandon you forever. 10 See now that the Lord chose you to build the house for His sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the building plans for the vestibule of the temple, its house, its treasury, its roof chambers, its inner rooms, and the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the plans, all of which were given to him by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of the Lord and for the surrounding rooms, the storehouses of the house of God, and the storehouses of the dedicated offerings; 13 for the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord and for all the implements of the service of the house of the Lord; 14 the weight of gold for all the golden implements of service, the implements of silver by weight for all implements of service, 15 and the weight of the golden lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for the tables of the showbread, table by table, and silver for the tables of silver; 17 and the pure gold forks, the basins, and the pitchers; for the golden bowls with the weight for each bowl; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.
19 “All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the works of this pattern.”
20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and take action. Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work of the service of the house of the Lord. 21 Now, here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God, and all those who are willing and skillful for all the work will be with you for all the service; also the leaders and the people will be wholly at your command.”
Temple Offerings
29 King David said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great since the palace is not for a man but for the Lord God. 2 So with all my might I have prepared for the house of my God: gold for the things of gold, silver for the things of silver, bronze for the things of bronze, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, along with onyx stones and stones for setting, stones of antimony, multicolored stones, and every precious stone, even alabaster in abundance. 3 Moreover, in my devotion to the house of my God I have offered from my own property, gold and silver, which I give for the house of my God, over and above that which I prepared for the holy dwelling place: 4 three thousand talents[a] of gold of the gold of Ophir and seven thousand talents[b] of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the house; 5 of gold for the things of gold and of silver for the things of silver, even for all the handiwork of the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?”
6 Then the leaders of the fathers’ houses, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and hundreds, and the officials of the king’s workers offered willingly. 7 Also they donated to the service of the house of God five thousand talents[c] of gold and ten thousand darics[d] of gold, ten thousand talents[e] of silver, eighteen thousand talents[f] of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents[g] of iron. 8 Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had offered willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.
A Prayer of David
10 So David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly, and David said,
“Blessed are You, O Lord,
the God of Israel,
our Father forever and ever.
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty,
for everything in the heavens and the earth is Yours.
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
and You exalt Yourself as head above all.
12 Riches and honor flow from You,
and You rule over all.
In Your hand are power and might,
and in Your hand it is to make great and to strengthen all.
13 So now, our God, we give thanks to You,
and praise Your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so freely as this? For everything comes from You, even from Your own hand we have given to You. 15 For we are strangers and sojourners before You, just as all our fathers were. Our days on earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name has come from Your hand, and all belongs to You. 17 I know, my God, that You test the heart, and with uprightness You are pleased, so in the uprightness of my heart I have offered freely all these things, and now I have seen Your people, those present here, offer freely and joyously to You. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the thoughts and intentions of the heart of Your people and direct their heart to You. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, to do all these things and to build the palace for which I have made preparation.”
20 Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless now the Lord your God.” So all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and paid homage to the Lord and the king.
Solomon, King of Israel(A)
21 On the following day, they made sacrifices to the Lord and offered burnt offerings to the Lord: one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 So they ate and drank before the Lord on that day with great joy.
And they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, for they anointed him to the Lord as a ruler and Zadok as a priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the leaders and the mighty men, and also the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.
25 The Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had never been on any king in Israel before him.
The Death of David(B)
26 Now David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 His tenure as king over Israel was forty years: In Hebron, he reigned seven years, and in Jerusalem he was king thirty-three years. 28 So he died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.
29 Now the acts of David the king, first to last, are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer 30 with all his reign and his might and the times that overtook him, and Israel, and all the kingdoms of the lands.
Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Except the Lord build the house,
those who build labor in vain;
except the Lord guards the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain for you to rise up early,
to stay up late,
and to eat the bread of hard toil,
for He gives sleep to His beloved.
3 Look, children are a gift of the Lord,
and the fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior,
so are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man
who has his quiver full of them;
he shall not be ashamed
when he speaks with the enemies at the gate.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.