Category: 1 Chronicles

1 Then all of Israel was gathered to David at Hebron, saying: “We are your bone and your flesh.

2 Also, yesterday and the day before, when Saul still reigned, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel. For the Lord your God said to you: ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over them.’ ”

3 Therefore, all those greater by birth of Israel went to the king at Hebron. And David formed a pact with them before the Lord. And they anointed him king over Israel, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he spoke by the hand of Samuel.

4 Then David and all of Israel went to Jerusalem. The same is Jebus, where the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were.

5 And those who were living in Jebus said to David: “You shall not enter here.” But David seized the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.

6 And he said, “Whoever shall strike the Jebusites first, shall be ruler and commander.” And so Joab, the son of Zeruiah, ascended first, and he was made the leader.

7 Then David lived in the stronghold, and for this reason it was called the City of David.

8 And he built up the city all around, from Millo even to every side. But Joab built the rest of the city.

9 And David continued advancing and increasing, and the Lord of hosts was with him.

10 These are the leaders of the strong men of David, who assisted him, so that he would become king over all of Israel, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he spoke to Israel.

11 And this is the number of the robust of David: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, leader among the thirty. He lifted up his spear over three hundred, who were wounded at one time.

12 And after him, there was Eleazar, the son of his uncle, an Ahohite, who was among the three powerful ones.

13 He was with David in Pasdammim, when the Philistines were gathered to that place for battle. Now the field of that region was full of barley, but the people had fled from the face of the Philistines.

14 These men stood in the midst of the field, and they defended it. And when they had struck down the Philistines, the Lord gave a great salvation to his people.

15 Then three from the thirty leaders descended to the rock where David was, to the cave of Adullam, when the Philistines had made camp in the Valley of the Rephaim.

16 Now David was in a stronghold, and a garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem.

17 And then David desired and said, “O if only someone would give me water from the well of Bethlehem, which is at the gate!”

18 Therefore, these three broke through to the midst of the camp of the Philistines, and they drew water from the well of Bethlehem, which was at the gate. And they took it to David, so that he might drink. But he was not willing; and instead, he offered it as a libation to the Lord,

19 saying: “Far be it from me, that I would do this in the sight of my God, and that I would drink the blood of these men. For at the peril of their own lives, they brought the water to me.” And for this reason, he was not willing to drink. The three most powerful accomplished these things.

20 Also, Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were wounded. And he was most renown among the three,

21 and he was famous among the second three and their leader. Yet truly, he did not reach as far as the first three.

22 Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel, was a very mature man, who had accomplished many deeds. He struck down the two lions of God from Moab. And he descended and killed a lion in the middle of a pit, in the time of snow.

23 And he struck down an Egyptian man, whose stature was five cubits, and who had a spear like a weaver’s beam. And yet he descended to him with a staff. And he seized the spear that he was holding in his hand. And he killed him with his own spear.

24 These things were done by Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, who was most renowned among the three robust ones,

25 the first among the thirty. Yet truly, he did not reach as far as the three. Then David placed him beside his ear.

26 Moreover, the strongest men of the army were Asahel, the brother of Joab; and Elhanan, the son of his uncle, from Bethlehem;

27 Shammoth, a Harorite; Helez, a Pelonite;

28 Ira, the son of Ikkesh, a Tekoite; Abiezer, an Anathothite;

29 Sibbecai, a Hushathite; Ilai, an Ahohite;

30 Maharai, a Netophathite; Heled, the son of Baanah, a Netophathite;

31 Ithai, the son of Ribai, from Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin; Benaiah, a Pirathonite;

32 Hurai, from the torrent Gaash; Abiel, an Arbathite; Azmaveth, a Baharumite; Eliahba, a Shaalbonite.

33 The sons of Hashem, a Gizonite: Jonathan, the son of Shagee, a Hararite;

34 Ahiam, the son of Sachar, a Hararite;

35 Eliphal, the son of Ur;

36 Hepher, a Mecherathite; Ahijah, a Pelonite;

37 Hezro, a Carmelite; Naharai, the son of Ezbai;

38 Joel, the brother of Nathan; Mibhar, the son of Hagri;

39 Zelek, an Ammonite; Naarai, a Beerothite, the armor bearer of Joab, the son of Zeruiah;

40 Ira, an Ithrite; Gareb, an Ithrite;

41 Uriah, a Hittite; Zabad, the son of Ahlai;

42 Adina, the son of Shiza, a Reubenite, the leader of the Reubenites, and thirty who were with him;

43 Hanan, the son of Maacah; and Joshaphat, a Mithnite;

44 Uzzia, an Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham, an Aroerite;

45 Jediael, the son of Shimri; and Joha, his brother, a Tizite;

46 Eliel, a Mahavite; and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; and Ithmah, a Moabite; Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel from Mezobaite.

1 Also, these went to David at Ziklag, while he was still fleeing from Saul, the son of Kish. And they were very strong and distinguished fighters,

2 bending the bow, and using either hand in casting stones with slings, and shooting arrows. From the brothers of Saul, out of Benjamin:

3 the leader was Ahiezer, with Joash, sons of Shemaah from Gibeah, and Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu, from Anathoth.

4 Also, there was Ishmaiah, from Gibeon, the strongest among the thirty and over the thirty; Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad, from Gederah;

5 and Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah, the Haruphites;

6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, from Carehim;

7 and also Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham, from Gedor.

8 Then too, from Gad, there went over to David, when he was hiding in the desert, very robust men, who were excellent fighters, taking hold of shield and spear; their faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roe deer upon the mountains.

9 Ezer was the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These were from the sons of Gad, leaders of the army. The least was in charge of one hundred soldiers, and the greatest was in charge of one thousand.

15 These are the ones who crossed over the Jordan in the first month, when it is accustomed to overflow its banks. And they put to flight all those who were staying in the valleys, to the eastern region and to the west.

16 Then some from Benjamin and from Judah also arrived at the stronghold where David was staying.

17 And David went out to meet them, and he said: “If you have arrived peacefully, so as to be a help to me, may my heart be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, though I have no iniquity in my hands, may the God of our fathers see and judge.”

18 Truly, the Spirit clothed Amasai, the leader among the thirty, and he said: “O David, we are yours! O son of Jesse, we are for you! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers. For your God helps you.” Therefore, David received them, and he appointed them as leaders of troops.

19 Moreover, some from Manasseh crossed over to David, when he went forth with the Philistines against Saul, so that he might fight. But he did not fight with them. For the leaders of the Philistines, taking counsel, sent him back, saying, “To the peril of our own heads, he will return to his lord, Saul.”

20 And so, when he returned to Ziklag, some fled over to him from Manasseh: Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Adnah, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of thousands in Manasseh.

21 These offered assistance to David against the robbers. For all were very strong men, and they became leaders in the army.

22 Then, too, some came to David throughout each day, in order to help him, until they became a great number, like the army of God.

23 Now this is the number of the leaders of the army who went to David when he was at Hebron, so that they might transfer the kingdom of Saul to him, in accord with the word of the Lord:

24 the sons of Judah, carrying shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred, equipped for battle;

25 from the sons of Simeon, very strong men for the fight, seven thousand one hundred;

26 from the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred;

27 as well as Jehoiada, a leader from the stock of Aaron, and with him three thousand seven hundred;

28 and then Zadok, a youth of distinguished qualities, and the house of his father, twenty-two leaders;

29 and from the sons of Benjamin, brothers of Saul, three thousand, for still a great part of them were following the house of Saul.

30 Then from the sons of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred, very strong and robust men, renowned among their kindred.

31 And out of the one half tribe of Manasseh, eighteen thousand, each by their names, went forth so that they might appoint David as king.

32 Also, from the sons of Issachar, there were learned men, who knew each of the times, in order to anticipate what Israel ought to do, two hundred leaders. And all the remainder of the tribe were following their counsel.

33 Then, from Zebulun, there were those who went forth to battle, and who were standing in a battle line, prepared with the weapons of warfare; these fifty thousand arrived to assist, without duplicity of heart.

34 And from Naphtali, there were one thousand leaders; and with them were thirty-seven thousand, prepared with shield and spear.

35 And then from Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred, ready for battle.

36 And from Asher, there were forty thousand, going forth to fight, and summoned to the battle line.

37 Then, across the Jordan, there were, from the sons of Reuben, and from Gad, and from the one half tribe of Manasseh, one hundred twenty thousand, prepared with the weapons of warfare.

38 All these men of war, equipped for the fight, went with a perfect heart to Hebron, so that they might appoint David as king over all of Israel. Then, too, all the remainder of Israel were of one heart, so that they might make David king.

39 And they were in that place with David for three days, eating and drinking. For their brothers had made preparations for them.

40 Moreover, those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, were bringing, on donkeys and camels and mules and oxen, bread for their provisions, with grain, dried figs, dried grapes, wine, oil, and oxen and sheep, with all abundance. For indeed, there was joy in Israel.

1 Then David took counsel with the tribunes, and the centurions, and all the leaders.

2 And he said to the entire assembly of Israel: “If it pleases you, and if the words that I speak come from the Lord our God, let us send to the remainder of our brothers, in all the regions of Israel, and to the priests and Levites who live in the suburbs of the cities, so that they may gather to us.

3 And let us bring back the ark of our God to us. For we did not seek it during the days of Saul.”

4 And the entire multitude responded that it should be done. For the word had pleased all the people.

5 Therefore, David gathered all of Israel, from Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, so as to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

6 And David ascended with all the men of Israel to the hill of Kiriath-jearim, which is in Judah, so that he might bring from there the ark of the Lord God, sitting upon the Cherubim, where his name is invoked.

7 And they placed the ark of God upon a new cart from the house of Abinadab. Then Uzzah and his brother drove the cart.

8 Now David and all of Israel were playing before God, with all of their ability, in songs, and with harps, and psalteries, and timbrels, and cymbals, and trumpets.

9 And when they had arrived at the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out his hand, so that he might support the ark. For indeed, the ox being wanton had caused it to incline a little.

10 And so the Lord became angry against Uzzah. And he struck him down because he had touched the ark. And he died there before the Lord.

11 And David was greatly saddened because the Lord had divided Uzzah. And he called that place ‘the Division of Uzzah,’ even to the present day.

12 And then he feared God, at that time, saying: “How will I be able to bring in the ark of God to myself?”

13 And for this reason, he did not bring it to himself, that is, into the City of David. Instead, he turned aside to the house of Obededom, the Gittite.

14 Therefore, the ark of God dwelt in the house of Obededom for three months. And the Lord blessed his house and all that he had.

1 Also, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and cedar wood, and artisans of walls and of wood, so that they might build a house for him.

2 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom had been lifted up over his people Israel.

3 Also, David took other wives in Jerusalem. And he conceived sons and daughters.

4 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon,

5 Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,

6 as well as Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

7 Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

8 Then, hearing that David had been anointed as king over all of Israel, all the Philistines ascended so that they might seek him. But when David had heard of it, he went out to meet them.

9 Now the Philistines, arriving, spread out in the Valley of the Rephaim.

10 And so David consulted the Lord, saying, “Shall I ascend to the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Ascend, and I will deliver them into your hand.”

11 And when they had ascended to Baal-perazim, David struck them there, and he said: “God has divided my enemies by my hand, just as waters are divided.” And therefore the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.

12 And they left behind their gods in that place, and so David ordered them to be burned.

13 And then, at another time, the Philistines invaded, and they spread out in the valley.

14 And again, David consulted God. And God said to him: “You shall not ascend after them. Draw away from them. And you shall come against them opposite the balsam trees.

15 And when you hear a sound approaching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go forth to war. For God has gone forth before you, so that he may strike down the army of the Philistines.”

16 Therefore, David did just as God had instructed him. And he struck down the army of the Philistines, from Gibeon as far as Gazera.

17 And the name of David became well-known in all the regions. And the Lord placed the fear of him over all the nations.

1 Also, he made houses for himself in the City of David. And built a place for the ark of God, and he set up a tent for it.

2 Then David said: “It is illicit for anyone to carry the ark of God except the Levites, whom the Lord chose to carry it and to minister to himself, even unto eternity.”

3 And he gathered all of Israel in Jerusalem, so that the ark of God might be brought into its place, which he had prepared for it.

4 Certainly, there were both the sons of Aaron and the Levites:

5 From the sons of Kohath, Uriel was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred twenty.

6 From the sons of Merari: Asaiah was the leader, and his brothers were two hundred twenty.

7 From the sons of Gershom: Joel was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred thirty.

8 From the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah was the leader, and his brothers were two hundred.

9 From the sons of Hebron: Eliel was the leader, and his brothers were eighty.

10 From the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred twelve.

11 And David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

12 And he said to them: “You who are the leaders of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brothers, and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that has been prepared for it.

13 Otherwise, as it was before, when the Lord struck us because you were not present, so also it might be now, if we do what is illicit.”

14 Therefore, the priests and the Levites were sanctified, so that they might carry the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15 And the sons of Levi took the ark of God, just as Moses had instructed, in accord with the word of the Lord, upon their shoulders by the bars.

16 And David spoke to the leaders of the Levites, so that they might appoint, from their brothers, singers with musical instruments, specifically, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, so that a joyful noise might resound on high.

17 And they appointed from the Levites: Heman, the son of Joel; and from his brothers, Asaph, the son of Berechiah; and truly, from their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan, the son of Kushaiah.

18 And with them were their brothers in the second rank: Zechariah, and Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jahiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, who were gatekeepers.

19 Now the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were sounding out with cymbals of brass.

20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah were singing mysteries with the psalteries.

21 Then Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah and Obededom, and Jeiel and Azaziah were singing a song of victory with the harps, for the octave.

22 Now Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was foremost over the prophecies, in order to mark out in advance the melodies. For indeed, he was very skillful.

23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were porters of the ark.

24 And the priests, Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, were sounding the trumpets before the ark of God. And Obededom and Jehiah were porters of the ark.

25 Therefore, David, and all those greater by birth of Israel, and the tribunes, went to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obededom with rejoicing.

26 And when God had assisted the Levites, who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they immolated seven bulls and seven rams.

27 Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the prophecy among the singers. But David was also clothed with a linen ephod.

28 And all of Israel were leading back the ark of the covenant of the Lord with jubilation, sounding out with the noise of horns, and trumpets, and cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.

29 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord had arrived in the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, gazing through a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

1 And so they took the ark of God, and they set it in the midst of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it. And they offered holocausts and peace offerings before God.

2 And when David had completed offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3 And he divided to every single one, from men even to women, a twist of bread, and a piece of roasted beef, and fine wheat flour fried with oil.

4 And he appointed some from the Levites who would minister before the ark of the Lord, and commemorate his works, and glorify and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.

5 Asaph was the leader, and second to him was Zechariah. In addition, there were Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom. And Jeiel was over the instruments of the psaltery and the harps. But Asaph sounded out with the cymbals.

6 Truly, the priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, were to sound the trumpet continually before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

7 In that day, David made Asaph the leader, in order to confess to the Lord with his brothers:

8 “Confess to the Lord, and invoke his name. Make known his endeavors among the peoples.

9 Sing to him, and sing psalms to him, and describe all his miracles.

10 Praise his holy name! Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

11 Seek the Lord and his virtue. Seek his face always.

12 Remember his miracles, which he has accomplished, his signs, and the judgments of his mouth.

13 O offspring of Israel, his servants! O sons of Jacob, his elect!

14 He is the Lord our God. His judgments are throughout all the earth.

15 Remember forever his covenant, the word that he instructed unto a thousand generations,

16 the covenant that he formed with Abraham, and his oath with Isaac.

17 And he appointed the same to Jacob as a precept, and to Israel as an everlasting pact,

18 saying: ‘To you, I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.’

19 At that time, they were small in number, they were few and were settlers there.

20 And they passed through, from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.

21 He did not permit anyone to falsely accuse them. Instead, he reproved kings on their behalf:

22 ‘Do not touch my Christ. And do not malign my prophets.’

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Announce his salvation, from day to day.

24 Describe his glory among the Gentiles, his miracles among all the peoples.

25 For the Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And he is terrible, above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But the Lord made the heavens.

27 Confession and magnificence are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Bring to the Lord, O families of the peoples, bring to the Lord glory and dominion.

29 Give glory to the Lord, to his name. Lift up sacrifice, and approach before his sight. And adore the Lord in holy attire.

30 Let all the earth be moved before his face. For he founded the globe immoveable.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult. And let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord has reigned.’

32 Let the sea roar, with all its plenitude. Let the fields exult, with all that is in them.

33 Then the trees of the forest will give praise before the Lord. For he comes to judge the earth.

34 Confess to the Lord, for he is good. For his mercy is eternal.

35 And say: ‘Save us, O God our savior! And gather us together, and rescue us from the nations, so that we may confess to your holy name, and may exult in your songs.

36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen,’ and let them sing a hymn to the Lord.”

37 And so, there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, he left Asaph and his brothers, so that they might minister in the sight of the ark continually, throughout each day, and in their turns.

38 Now Obededom and his brothers were sixty-eight. And he appointed Obededom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah to be porters.

39 But Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, were before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place, which was in Gibeon,

40 so that they could offer holocausts to the Lord upon the altar of holocausts continually, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the law of the Lord, which he instructed to Israel.

41 And after him, Heman, and Jeduthun, and the remainder of the elect, each one by his name, were appointed to confess to the Lord: “For his mercy endures forever.”

42 Also Heman and Jeduthun sounded the trumpet, and they played upon the cymbals, and upon every kind of musical instrument, in order to sing praises to God. But the sons of Jeduthun he made to be porters.

43 And all the people returned to their houses, and David also, so that he might bless his own house too.

1 Now when David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan: “Behold, I live in a house of cedar. But the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent skins.”

2 And Nathan said to David: “Do all that is in your heart. For God is with you.”

3 And yet, that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

4 “Go, and speak to my servant David: Thus says the Lord: You shall not build a house for me as a dwelling place.

5 For I have not stayed in a house from the time when I led out Israel, even to this day. Instead, I have been continually changing places, in a tabernacle and tent,

6 dwelling with all of Israel. When did I ever speak to any one at all, among the judges of Israel whom I placed in charge so that they might pasture my people, saying: ‘Why have you not built a house of cedar for me?’

7 And so, now you shall say this to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you when you were following the flock in the pastures, so that you would be the leader of my people Israel.

8 And I have been with you wherever you have gone. And I have slain all your enemies before you, and I have made a name for you like one of the great ones who are celebrated upon the earth.

9 And I have given a place to my people Israel. They shall be planted, and they shall live in it, and they shall no longer be moved. Neither shall the sons of iniquity wear them away, as in the beginning,

10 from the days when I gave judges to my people Israel, and I humbled all your enemies. Therefore, I announce to you that the Lord will build a house for you.

11 And when you will have completed your days, so that you go to your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall be from your sons. And I will establish his kingdom.

12 He shall build a house for me, and I will make firm his throne, even unto eternity.

13 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And I will not take away my mercy from him, as I took it away from the one who was before you.

14 And I will station him in my house and in my kingdom, even forever. And his throne will be very firm, in perpetuity.”

15 According to all these words, and according to this entire vision, so did Nathan speak to David.

16 And when king David had departed, and had sat down before the Lord, he said: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you would grant such things to me?

17 But even this has seemed little in your sight, and therefore you have also spoken about the house of your servant even for the future. And you have made me a spectacle above all men, O Lord God.

18 What more can David add, since you have so glorified your servant, and have known him?

19 O Lord, because of your servant, in accord with your own heart, you have brought about all this magnificence, and you have willed all these great things to be known.

20 O Lord, there is no one like you. And there is no other God apart from you, out of all whom we have heard about with our ears.

21 For what other single nation upon earth is like your people Israel, to whom God reached out, so that he might free them, and might make a people for himself, and by his greatness and terribleness cast out the nations before the face of those whom he had freed from Egypt?

22 And you have set your people Israel to be your people, even unto eternity. And you, O Lord, have become their God.

23 Now therefore, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken to your servant, and over his house, be confirmed in perpetuity, and do just as you have spoken.

24 And may your name remain and be magnified even for all time. And let it be said: ‘The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel. And the house of his servant David remains forever before him.’

25 For you, O Lord my God, have revealed to the ear of your servant that you will build a house for him. And therefore your servant has found faith so that he might pray before you.

26 Now then, O Lord, you are God. And you have spoken to your servant such great benefits.

27 And you have begun to bless the house of your servant, so that it may be always before you. For since it is you who is blessing, O Lord, it shall be blessed forever.”

1 Now after these things, it happened that David struck the Philistines, and he humbled them, and he took Gath and her daughters from the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he struck Moab. And the Moabites became the servants of David, offering gifts to him.

3 In that time, David also struck Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, in the region of Hamath, when he went forth so that he might extend his dominion as far as the river Euphrates.

4 Then David seized one thousand of his four-horse chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand men on foot. And he hamstrung all the chariot horses, except for one hundred four-horse chariots, which he reserved for himself.

5 Then the Syrians of Damascus also arrived, so that they might offer assistance to Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. And so, David then struck of them twenty-two thousand men.

6 And he stationed soldiers in Damascus, so that Syria also would serve him, and would offer gifts. And the Lord assisted him in all the things to which he went forth.

7 Also, David took the golden quivers, which the servants of Hadadezer had, and he brought them to Jerusalem.

8 In addition, from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, he brought very much brass, from which Solomon made the sea of brass, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 Now when Toi, the king of Hamath, had heard this, specifically that David had struck the entire army of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah,

10 he sent his son Hadoram to king David so that he might petition peace from him, and so that he might congratulate him that he had struck and defeated Hadadezer. For indeed, Toi was an adversary to Hadadezer.

11 Moreover, all the vessels of gold and silver and brass king David consecrated to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations, as much from Idumea, and Moab, and the sons of Ammon, as from the Philistines and Amalek.

12 Truly, Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of the Salt Pits.

13 And he stationed a garrison in Edom, so that Idumea would serve David. And the Lord saved David in all the things to which he went forth.

14 Therefore, David reigned over all of Israel, and he executed judgment and justice among all his people.

15 Now Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was over the army, and Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the keeper of records.

16 And Zadok, the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were the priests. And Shavsha was the scribe.

17 Also, Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the legions of the Cherethites and Pelethites. But the sons of David were first at the hand of the king.

1 Now it happened that Nahash, the king of the sons of Ammon, died, and his son reigned in his place.

2 And David said: “I will act with mercy toward Hanun, the son of Nahash. For his father was gracious to me.” And so David sent messengers to console him over the death of his father. But when they had reached the land of the sons of Ammon, so that they might console Hanun,

3 the leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun: “Do you think that perhaps David has sent them to console you in order to honor your father? Have you not noticed that his servants came to you so that they might explore, and investigate, and examine your land?”

4 And so Hanun shaved the heads and beards of the servants of David, and he cut away their tunics from the buttocks to the feet, and he sent them away.

5 And when they had gone, and had sent word to David, (for they had suffered a great disgrace,) he sent to meet them, and he instructed them that they should remain at Jericho until their beards grew, and then they should return.

6 Then, when the sons of Ammon realized that they had committed an injury against David, both Hanun and the rest of the people sent one thousand talents of silver, so that they might hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, and from Syrian Maacah, and from Zobah.

7 And they hired thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people. When these had arrived, they made camp in the region opposite Medeba. Also, the sons of Ammon, gathering from their cities, went to war.

8 And when David had heard this, he sent Joab and the entire army of strong men.

9 And the sons of Ammon, going out, set up a battle line before the gate of the city. But the kings who had come to their aid stood separately in the field.

10 And so Joab, understanding the war to be set facing him and behind his back, chose the strongest men from all of Israel, and he went out against the Syrians.

11 But the remaining portion of the people he placed under the hand of his brother Abishai. And they went out against the sons of Ammon.

12 And he said: “If the Syrians prevail over me, then you shall be a help to me. But if the sons of Ammon prevail over you, I will be a safeguard for you.

13 Be strengthened, and let us act manfully on behalf of our people, and on behalf of the cities of our God. And the Lord will do what is good in his own sight.”

14 Therefore, Joab, and the people who were with him, went out to battle against the Syrians. And he put them to flight.

15 Then the sons of Ammon, seeing that the Syrians had fled, also themselves fled from Abishai, his brother, and they entered into the city. And now Joab returned to Jerusalem.

16 But the Syrians, seeing that they had fallen before Israel, sent messengers, and they brought the Syrians who were across the river. And Shophach, the leader of the military of Hadadezer, was their commander.

17 When this had been reported to David, he gathered together all of Israel, and he crossed the Jordan. And he rushed toward them. And he set up a battle line facing them. And they fought against him.

18 But the Syrians fled from Israel. And David killed of the Syrians seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand men on foot, and Shophach, the leader of the army.

19 Then the servants of Hadadezer, seeing themselves to be overwhelmed by Israel, crossed over to David, and they served him. And Syria was no longer willing to offer aid to the sons of Ammon.

1 Now it happened that, after the course of a year, in the time when kings usually go forth to war, Joab gathered an army with experienced soldiers, and he laid waste to the land of the sons of Ammon. And he continued on and besieged Rabbah. But David was staying in Jerusalem when Joab struck Rabbah and destroyed it.

2 Then David took the crown of Milcom from his head, and he found in it the weight of one talent of gold, and very precious gems. And he made for himself a diadem from it. Also, he took the best spoils of the city, which were very many.

3 Then he led away the people who were in it. And he caused plows, and sleds, and iron chariots to go over them, so much so that they were cut apart and crushed. So did David treat all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And he returned with all his people to Jerusalem.

4 After these things, a war was begun at Gezer against the Philistines, in which Sibbecai the Hushathite struck Sippai from the race of the Rephaim, and he humbled them.

5 Also, another war was undertaken against the Philistines, in which Adeodatus, a son of the forest, a Bethlehemite, struck the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the wood of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

6 Then too, another war occurred in Gath, in which there was a very tall man, having six digits, that is, all together twenty-four. This man too was born from the stock of the Rephaim.

7 He blasphemed Israel. And Jonathan, the son of Shimea, the brother of David, struck him down. These were the sons of the Rephaim in Gath, who fell by the hand of David and his servants.