David Organizes the Musicians

25 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of ^yAsaph, and of ^zHeman, and of ^aJeduthun, who ^bprophesied with lyres, with ^charps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who ^bprophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,¹ Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, ^bwho prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman ^dthe king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, ^charps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was ^e288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, ^fsmall and great, teacher and pupil alike.

9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; 10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 20 to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21 to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22 to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23 to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24 to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 25 to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 26 to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27 to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28 to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29 to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30 to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31 to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

Divisions of the Gatekeepers

26 As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 And Meshelemiah had sons: ^gZechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 And ^hObed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, ⁱfor God blessed him. 6 Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom. 9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen. 10 And ^jHosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord. 13 And they cast lots by fathers’ houses, ^ksmall and great alike, for their gates. 14 The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. 15 Obed-edom’s came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted ^lthe gatehouse. 16 For Shuppim and ^jHosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch. 17 On the east there were six each day,¹ on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse. 18 And for the ⁿcolonnade² on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

Treasurers and Other Officials

20 And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of ^othe treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. 21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: ^pJehieli.³

22 ^qThe sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord. 23 ^rOf the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites— 24 and ^sShebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25 His brothers: from ^tEliezer were his son Rehabiah, and his son ^uJeshaiah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son ^vShelomoth. 26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers’ houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army ^whad dedicated. 27 From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the house of the Lord. 28 Also all that ^xSamuel 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 ^vShelomoth⁴ and his brothers.

29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to ^yexternal duties for Israel, ^zas officers and judges. 30 Of the Hebronites, ^aHashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 men of ability, had the oversight of Israel westward of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the service of the king. 31 Of the Hebronites, ^bJerijah was chief of the Hebronites of whatever genealogy or fathers’ houses. (In the fortieth year of David’s reign search was made and men of great ability among them were found at ^cJazer in Gilead.) 32 King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of fathers’ houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for ^dthe affairs of the king.

Military Divisions

27 This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000:

2 ^eJashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were 24,000. 3 He was a ^fdescendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month. 4 ^gDodai the Ahohite¹ was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000. 5 The third commander, for the third month, was ^hBenaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000. 6 This is the Benaiah ⁱwho was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division.² 7 ^jAsahel the brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were 24,000. 8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was ^kShamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000. 9 Sixth, for the sixth month, was ^lIra, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000. 10 Seventh, for the seventh month, was ^mHelez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 11 Eighth, for the eighth month, was ⁿSibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 12 Ninth, for the ninth month, was ^oAbiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were 24,000. 13 Tenth, for the tenth month, was ^pMaharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 14 Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was ^qBenaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 15 Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was ^rHeldai the Netophathite, of ^sOthniel; in his division were 24,000.

Leaders of Tribes

16 Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 for Levi, ^tHashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, ^uZadok; 18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; 20 for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21 for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22 for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the ^vleaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the ^wLord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but ^xdid not finish. Yet ^ywrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.

25 Over the king’s treasuries was ^zAzmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Over the olive and ^asycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29 Over the herds that pastured in ^bSharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the ^cHagrite. 31 All these were stewards of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. 33 ^dAhithophel was the ^eking’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of ^fBenaiah, and ^gAbiathar. Joab was ^hcommander of the king’s army.

David’s Charge to Israel

28 ⁱDavid assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the ^jofficials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the ^kcommanders of thousands, the commanders of hundreds, the ^lstewards of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the ^mmighty men and all the seasoned warriors. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. ⁿI had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the ^ofootstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. 3 But God said to me, ^p‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 4 Yet the Lord God of Israel ^qchose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel ^rforever. ^sFor he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s ^thouse, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 And of ^uall my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he ^vhas chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘It is ^wSolomon your son 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 ^rforever ^xif he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ 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 to your children after you forever.

David’s Charge to Solomon

9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a ^ywhole heart and with a willing mind, ^zfor the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. ^aIf you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; ^bbe strong and do it.”

11 Then David gave Solomon his son the ^cplan of the ^dvestibule of the temple,¹ and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the ^emercy seat; 12 and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the Lord, all the surrounding chambers, ^fthe treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; 13 for the ^gdivisions of the priests and of the ^hLevites, and all the work of the service in the house of the Lord; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the Lord, 14 the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, 15 the weight of the golden ⁱlampstands 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 in the service, 16 the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, 17 and pure gold for the forks, the basins and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; 18 for the ^jaltar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the ^kcherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 19 “All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, ^lall the work to be done according to the plan.”

20 Then David said to Solomon his son, ^m“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 And behold the ⁿdivisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be ^oevery willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”

Offerings for the Temple

29 And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is ^pyoung and inexperienced, and the work is great, for ^qthe palace will not be for man but for the Lord God. 2 So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of ^ronyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble. 3 Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4 ^s3,000 talents¹ of gold, of the gold of ^tOphir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house,² 5 and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself³ today to the Lord?”

6 Then ^uthe leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and ^vthe officers over the king’s work. 7 They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 ^wdarics⁴ of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, in the care of ^xJehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a ^ywhole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

David Prays in the Assembly

10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: ^z“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 ^aYours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 ^bBoth riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. ^cIn your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 ^dFor we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are ^elike a shadow, and there is no abiding.⁵ 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, ^fthat you test the heart and ^ghave pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 ^hGrant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may ⁱbuild the palace ^jfor which I have made provision.”

20 Then David said to all the assembly, ^k“Bless the Lord your God.” And all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers, ^land bowed their heads and paid homage to the Lord and to the king. 21 And they offered sacrifices to the Lord, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the Lord, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their ^mdrink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 And they ate and drank before the Lord on that day with great gladness.