Chronological
The Gatekeepers
26 These are the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers. From the ·family [clan] of Korah, there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, who was from Asaph’s ·family [descendants]. 2 Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jediael was second, Zebadiah was third, Jathniel was fourth, 3 Elam was fifth, Jehohanan was sixth, and Eliehoenai was seventh.
4 Obed-Edom had sons. Shemaiah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jehozabad was second, Joah was third, Sacar was fourth, Nethanel was fifth, 5 Ammiel was sixth, Issachar was seventh, and Peullethai was eighth. God indeed blessed Obed-Edom.
6 Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons. They ·were leaders in [ruled over] their father’s ·family [L house] because they were ·capable men [highly respected; L mighty men of valor]. 7 Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose ·brothers [relatives] Elihu and Semakiah were ·skilled workers [or valiant men; or also respected]. 8 All these were Obed-Edom’s descendants. They and their sons and ·relatives [brothers; grandsons] were capable men and ·strong [well-qualified] workers. Obed-Edom had sixty-two ·descendants [relatives] in all.
9 Meshelemiah had sons and ·relatives [brothers] who were ·skilled workers [capable/respected men]. In all, there were eighteen.
10 From the Merari ·family [clan], Hosah had sons. Shimri, although not the oldest son, was chosen by his father to be in charge. 11 Hilkiah was his second son, Tabaliah was third, and Zechariah was fourth. In all, Hosah had thirteen sons and ·relatives [brothers].
12 These were the leaders of the ·groups [divisions; orders] of gatekeepers, and they served in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, as did their ·relatives [brothers]. 13 By throwing lots, each ·family [clan] chose a gate to guard. ·Young [Small] and ·old [great] threw lots.
14 ·Meshelemiah [or Shelemiah; v. 2] was chosen by lot to guard the East Gate. Then lots were ·thrown [cast] for Meshelemiah’s son Zechariah. He was a ·wise counselor [prudent advisor] and was chosen for the North Gate. 15 Obed-Edom was ·chosen for [allotted] the South Gate, and Obed-Edom’s sons were ·chosen to guard [allotted] the storehouse. 16 Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the ·upper [ascending] road [C to the Temple].
·Guards stood side by side with guards [or Guard duty was evenly divided; L A guard alongside a guard]. 17 Six Levites stood guard every day at the East Gate; four stood guard every day at the North Gate; four stood guard every day at the South Gate; and two at a time guarded the storehouse. 18 There were two guards at the ·western court [colonnade; Parbar; C the gateway leading up to the Temple] and four guards on the road.
19 These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers from the ·families [clans; L sons] of Korah and Merari.
Other Leaders
20 ·Other [Their fellow/brother] Levites were ·responsible for guarding [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [L house] of God and for the ·places where the holy items were kept [treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts].
21 ·Ladan [or Libni] was Gershon’s son and the ancestor of several ·family groups [clans]. ·Jehiel [or Jehieli; 23:8] was a ·leader [chief] of one of the ·family groups [clans]. 22 His sons were Zetham and Joel his brother, and they were ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.
23 Other leaders were chosen from the ·family groups [clans] of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 24 Shubael,[a] the descendant of Gershom, who was Moses’ son, was the ·leader [chief] ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries. 25 These were Shubael’s relatives from Eliezer: Eliezer’s son Rehabiah, Rehabiah’s son Jeshaiah, Jeshaiah’s son Joram, Joram’s son Zicri, and Zicri’s son Shelomith. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] ·everything that had been collected for the Temple [the treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts collected] by King David, by the heads of ·families [clans], by the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and by other army ·commanders [officers]. 27 They also ·gave [dedicated] some of the ·things they had [plunder; spoil] taken in wars to be used in repairing the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 28 Shelomith and his relatives took care of all the ·holy items [dedicated/consecrated gifts]. Some had been given by Samuel the ·seer [prophet], Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah.
29 Kenaniah was from the Izhar ·family [clan]. He and his sons worked outside the ·Temple [L house] as officers and judges in Israel.
30 Hashabiah was from the Hebron ·family [clan]. He and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] the Lord’s work and ·the king’s business [served the king] in Israel west of the Jordan River. There were seventeen hundred ·skilled [capable; respected] men in Hashabiah’s group. 31 The ·history [genealogy] of the Hebron ·family [clan] shows that Jeriah was their ·leader [chief]. In David’s fortieth year ·as king [of reign], the ·records [genealogies] were searched, and some ·capable [skilled; respected] men of the Hebron ·family [clan] were found living at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives who were ·capable [skilled; respected] men and leaders of families. King David ·gave them the responsibility of directing [put them in charge of] the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh in God’s work and the king’s ·business [service].
Army Divisions
27 This is the list of the Israelites who served the king in the army. Each division was on duty one month each year. There were leaders of ·families [clans], commanders of a thousand men, commanders of a hundred men, and other officers. Each division had twenty-four thousand men.
2 Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. 3 Jashobeam, one of the descendants of Perez, was ·leader [chief; commander] of all the army officers for the first month.
4 Dodai, from the Ahohites, was in charge of the division for the second month. Mikloth was a ·leader [chief; commander] in the division. There were twenty-four thousand men in Dodai’s division.
5 The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. 6 He was the Benaiah who was one of the Thirty [11:11]. Benaiah was a ·brave [mighty] warrior who led those men. Benaiah’s son Ammizabad was in charge of Benaiah’s division.
7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel, the brother of Joab. Later, Asahel’s son Zebadiah ·took his place as commander [succeeded him]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, from Izrah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
9 The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh from the town of Tekoa. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
10 The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Helez. He was from the Pelonites and a descendant of Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
11 The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai. He was from Hushah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
12 The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer. He was from Anathoth in Benjamin. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
13 The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai. He was from Netophah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
14 The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah. He was from Pirathon in Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
15 The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai. He was from Netophah and was from Othniel’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
Leaders of the Tribes
16 These were ·the leaders [in charge] of the tribes of Israel. Eliezer son of Zicri was over the tribe of Reuben. Shephatiah son of Maacah was over the tribe of Simeon. 17 Hashabiah son of Kemuel was over the tribe of Levi. Zadok was over the people of Aaron. 18 Elihu, one of David’s brothers, was over the tribe of Judah. Omri son of Michael was over the tribe of Issachar. 19 Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was over the tribe of Zebulun. Jerimoth son of Azriel was over the tribe of Naphtali. 20 Hoshea son of Azaziah was over the tribe of Ephraim. Joel son of Pedaiah was over ·West [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh. 21 Iddo son of Zechariah was over ·East Manasseh [L the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead]. Jaasiel son of Abner was over the tribe of Benjamin. 22 Azarel son of Jeroham was over the tribe of Dan.
These were the ·leaders [chiefs; commanders] of the tribes of Israel.
23 The Lord had promised to make the Israelites as ·many [numerous] as the stars ·in the sky [of heaven; Gen. 22:17; 26:4; Ex. 32:13]. So David did not count those younger than twenty years old. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began ·to count [the census of] the people, but he did not finish. ·God became angry with [L Wrath came upon] Israel for counting the people, so the number of the people was not put in the ·history book about [chronicles/annals of] King David.
The King’s Directors
25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal ·storehouses [treasuries].
Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the ·storehouses [treasuries] in the country, towns, villages, and ·towers [fortresses].
26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who ·farmed [tilled] the land.
27 Shimei, from the town of Ramah, was in charge of the vineyards.
Zabdi, from Shapham, was in charge of storing the wine that came from the vineyards.
28 Baal-Hanan, from Geder, was in charge of the olive trees and sycamore trees in the ·western hills [L Shephelah].
Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.
29 Shitrai, from Sharon, was in charge of the herds that ·fed [grazed] in the Plain of Sharon.
Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the ·herds [cattle] in the valleys.
30 Obil, an Ishmaelite, was in charge of the camels.
Jehdeiah, from Meronoth, was in charge of the donkeys.
31 Jaziz, from the Hagrites, was in charge of the flocks.
All these men were the ·officers who took care [officials/overseers in charge] of King David’s property.
32 Jonathan was David’s uncle, and he ·advised [counseled] David. Jonathan was a ·wise man [man of understanding/insight] and a ·teacher of the law [scribe]. Jehiel son of Hacmoni ·took care of [taught; tutored] the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel ·advised [counseled] the king. Hushai, from the Arkite people, was the king’s ·friend [confidant]. 34 Jehoiada and Abiathar later took Ahithophel’s place in ·advising [counseling] the king. Jehoiada was Benaiah’s son. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
David’s Plans for the Temple
28 David ·commanded [summoned] all the ·leaders [officials] of Israel to come to Jerusalem. There were the ·leaders [officials; commanders; chiefs] of the tribes, ·commanders [officers] of the army divisions serving the king, commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, ·leaders [officials; overseers] who took care of the property and animals that belonged to the king and his sons, ·men over the palace [palace officials], the ·powerful [mighty] men, and all the ·brave [valiant] warriors.
2 King David stood up and said, “Listen to me, my ·relatives [brothers] and my people. I ·wanted [intended; planned; had my heart set] to build a place to keep the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. I wanted it to be God’s footstool. So I made ·plans [preparations] to build ·a temple [it]. 3 But God said to me, ‘You must not build a ·temple [L house] for ·worshiping me [my name/Name], because you are a ·soldier [man of war] and have ·killed many people [shed blood; C he completed the conquest of Canaan].’
4 “·But [Yet; Nevertheless] the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole ·family [clan; father’s house] to be king of Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to ·lead [rule], and from the ·people [house] of Judah, he chose my father’s ·family [clan; L house]. From ·that family [L my father’s sons] God was pleased to make me king ·of [over all] Israel. 5 The Lord has given me many sons, and from those sons he has chosen Solomon to ·be the new king [L sit on the throne] of Israel. Israel is the Lord’s kingdom. 6 The Lord said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my ·Temple [L house] and ·its courtyards [my courts]. I have chosen Solomon to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 He is obeying my laws and commands now. If he continues ·to obey them [resolutely; unswervingly], I will ·make his kingdom strong [establish/secure his kingdom] forever.’”
8 David said, “Now, in ·front [the sight] of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of God, I tell you these things: Be careful to ·obey [observe; follow] all the commands of the Lord your God. Then you will ·keep [possess] this good land and ·pass it on [L leave it as an inheritance] to your ·descendants [children] forever.
9 “And you, my son Solomon, ·accept [acknowledge; L know] the God of your father. Serve him ·completely and willingly [L with your whole heart and a willing mind/spirit], because the Lord ·knows what is in everyone’s mind [L searches every heart]. He understands ·everything you think [every desire/motive and thought]. If you ·go to him for help [seek him], ·you will get an answer [you will find him; or he will let you find him]. But if you ·turn away from [abandon; forsake] him, he will ·leave [reject] you forever. 10 Solomon, ·you must understand this [see now]. The Lord has chosen you to build ·the Temple [L a house] as his ·holy place [sanctuary]. Be strong and ·finish the job [do it; go to work].”
11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for ·building the Temple [the porch/portico]. They included its buildings, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the ·place where the people’s sins were removed [room for atonement/T the mercy seat]. 12 David gave him plans for everything he had in mind: the courtyards around the Lord’s ·Temple [L house] and all the rooms around it, the ·Temple treasuries [storehouses of God’s house], and the ·treasuries [storehouse] of the ·holy items used in the Temple [dedicated/consecrated things/gifts]. 13 David gave Solomon directions for the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, and about the ·items [utensils] to be used for service in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord 14 that were made of gold or silver. David told Solomon ·how much [the weight of] gold or silver to use to make each thing. 15 David told him ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each gold lampstand and its lamps and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for each silver lampstand and its lamps according to how the lampstands were to be used . 16 David told ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each table that held the ·holy [T show] bread and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for the silver tables. 17 He told ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use to make the forks, ·bowls [basins], and pitchers and ·how much [the weight of] gold to use to make each gold ·dish [bowl]. He told ·how much [the weight of] silver to use to make each silver ·dish [bowl] 18 and ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use for the altar of incense. He also gave Solomon the plans for the ·chariot [or seat] of the ·golden creatures [cherubim] that spread their wings over the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord.
19 David said, “All these plans were written with the Lord ·guiding [directing] me. He ·helped me understand [made clear to me; gave me insight into/understanding of] everything in the plans.”
20 David also said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and brave, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or ·leave [abandon; forsake] you until all the work for the service of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord is finished. 21 The ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites are ready for all the ·work on [service of] the ·Temple [L house] of God. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The ·leaders [officials] and all the ·people [nation] will ·obey every command you give [be at your command].”
Gifts for Building the Temple
29 King David said to ·all the Israelites who were gathered [the entire assembly], “God chose my son Solomon, who is young and ·hasn’t yet learned what he needs to know [inexperienced], ·but [and] the ·work is important [task is great/huge]. This ·palace [temple] is not for ·people [mortals]; it is for the Lord God. 2 I have ·done my best [made every effort; L according to all my strength] to prepare for building the ·Temple [L house] of my God. I have given gold for the things made of gold and silver for the things made of silver. I have given bronze for the things made of bronze and iron for the things made of iron. I have given wood for the things made of wood and onyx for the settings. I have given turquoise gems of many different colors, ·valuable [precious] stones, and ·white marble [alabaster]. I have given all these things in ·abundance [great quantities]. 3 I have already given this for the ·Temple [L house], but because of my ·devotion to [commitment to; delight in] the ·Temple [L house] of my God, I am also giving my own treasures of gold and silver. 4 I am giving ·about two hundred twenty thousand pounds [L three thousand talents] of gold from Ophir and ·about five hundred twenty thousand pounds [L seven thousand talents] of ·pure [refined] silver. They will be used to ·cover [overlay] the walls of the buildings 5 and for all the gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is ·ready [willing] to ·give himself [consecrate/devote yourself] to the service of the Lord today [C by also making an offering]?”
6 The ·family [clan] leaders and the ·leaders [chiefs; heads] of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and the ·leaders [officials; overseers] ·responsible for [in charge of] the king’s work gave willingly. 7 They donated ·about three hundred eighty thousand pounds [L five thousand talents] of gold, ·about seven hundred fifty thousand pounds [L ten thousand darics] of silver, ·about one million three hundred fifty thousand pounds [L eighteen thousand talents] of bronze, and ·about seven million five hundred thousand pounds [L one hundred thousand talents] of iron to the ·Temple [L house] of God. 8 People who had ·valuable gems [precious stones] gave them to the treasury of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, under the care of Jehiel, from the Gershon ·family [clan]. 9 The leaders gave ·willingly and completely [freely and wholeheartedly] to the Lord. The people rejoiced to see their leaders give so gladly, and King David was also ·very happy [filled with joy].
David’s Prayer
10 David ·praised [blessed] the Lord in ·front [the presence] of all the ·people who were gathered [assembly]. He said:
“We ·praise [bless] you, Lord,
God of our father Israel,
forever and ever.
11 Lord, ·you are great and powerful [yours is the greatness and power].
You have glory, victory, and ·honor [majesty; splendor].
Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.
·The kingdom [Sovereignty; Dominion] belongs to you, Lord;
you are ·the ruler [head; exalted] over everything.
12 ·Riches [Wealth] and honor come from you.
You rule everything.
·You have the [L In your hand is] power and ·strength [might]
to make ·anyone [everyone] great and strong.
13 Now, our God, we thank you
and praise your glorious name.
14 “·These things did not really come from me and my people. [L But who am I and who are my people that we have this much to give?]
Everything comes from you;
we have given you back what ·you [L your hand] gave us.
15 We are like ·foreigners [aliens; T sojourners] and ·strangers [transients; nomads],
as our ·ancestors [fathers] were.
Our ·time [L days] on earth is like a shadow.
There is no ·hope [or security].
16 Lord our God, we have gathered all this abundance
to build your ·Temple [L house] for ·worship to you [L your holy name/Name].
But everything has come from ·you [L your hand];
everything belongs to you.
17 I know, my God, that you ·test [examine; search] people’s hearts.
You ·are happy when people do what is right [L delight/rejoice in integrity/T uprightness].
I ·was happy to [willingly; freely] give all these things,
and I gave with ·an honest heart [pure motives].
Your people gathered here ·are happy to [willingly] give to you,
and I rejoice to see their giving.
18 Lord, you are the God of our ·ancestors [fathers],
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and ·Jacob [Israel].
·Make your people want to serve you always [Keep these motives always in their heart],
and ·make them want to obey you [direct their heart toward you].
19 Give my son Solomon a ·desire to serve you [perfect heart; undivided mind; L whole heart].
Help him always obey your commands, laws, and rules.
Help him build ·the Temple [this temple/palace]
for which I have ·prepared [provided].”
20 Then David said to all the ·people who were gathered [assembly], “·Praise [Bless] the Lord your God.” So they all ·praised [blessed] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], and they bowed to the ground ·to give honor to [and prostrated themselves before] the Lord and the king.
Solomon Becomes King(A)
21 The next day the people sacrificed to the Lord. They offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to him of a thousand bulls, a thousand ·male sheep [rams], and a thousand male lambs. They also brought ·drink offerings [libations]. Many sacrifices were made for all the people of Israel. 22 That day the people ·ate and drank [feasted] with much joy, ·and the Lord was with them [L before the Lord].
And they ·made [designated; acknowledged] David’s son Solomon king for the second time. They ·poured olive oil on Solomon to appoint [anointed] him king ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. And they ·poured oil on Zadok to appoint him [anointed Zadok] as priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king and took his father David’s place. Solomon ·was very successful [prospered], and all the people of Israel obeyed him. 24 All the ·leaders [officials; chiefs] and ·soldiers [mighty warriors] and King David’s sons ·accepted Solomon as king and promised to obey him [pledged their allegiance to King Solomon]. 25 The Lord ·made Solomon great before [exalted Solomon in the sight of] all the Israelites and gave him greater royal ·splendor [majesty] than any king before him in Israel.
David’s Death
26 David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. 27 He had ·ruled [reigned] over Israel forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 28 David died when he was old. He had lived a good, long life ·and had received many [full of] riches and honors. His son Solomon ·became king after him [reigned in his place].
29 ·Everything David did as king [The acts/events of King David], from ·beginning to end [first to last], is ·recorded [written] in the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Samuel the ·seer [prophet], the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Nathan the prophet, and the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Gad the ·seer [prophet]. 30 Those writings tell what David did ·as king of Israel [during his reign]. They tell about his power and what happened to him and to Israel and to all the kingdoms ·around them [of the earth/land].
All Good Things Come from God
A song ·for going up to worship [of ascents; C perhaps sung while traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate an annual religious festival like Passover]. Of Solomon.
127 If the Lord doesn’t build the house,
the builders are working ·for nothing [in vain; without purpose].
If the Lord doesn’t guard the city,
the guards are watching ·for nothing [in vain; without purpose].
2 It is ·no use [in vain; without purpose] for you to get up early
and stay up late,
·working for a living [L eating the bread of hardship/pain].
The Lord ·gives sleep to those he loves [or provides for those he loves while they sleep].
3 Children are ·a gift [an inheritance] from the Lord;
·babies [L the fruit of the womb] are a reward.
4 Children ·who are born to a young man [L of one’s youth]
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior [C they help in the challenges and conflicts of life].
5 ·Happy [Blessed] is the man
who has his ·bag [quiver] full of ·arrows [L them].
They will not be ·defeated [L humiliated]
when they ·fight [L speak to] their enemies at the city gate [C the central place of commerce and government].
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