Psalm 59:1-10 Protection from Hit-men
(A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him)
Observations: 59:1-4 David, stalked by Saul's hit-men, calls to God for deliverance, asserting his innocence and blamelessness.
59:5 As the anointed king of Israel David calls upon the God and Supreme military commander to punish and show no mercy to the traitors.
59:8-10 David express confident trust in God's protection, deliverance, and triumph because of His hesed. The second half of the Psalm will show that trust is warranted and the basis of praise.
Application: The blameless can have great confidence in God's protection and help, because He is faithful and loyal to those who are faithful and loyal to Him.
Prayer: God, You are my Strength, Fortress, and Deliverer; may You go before me in both peaceful and perilous times. Amen.
Proverbs 15:25-32 The Righteous Receive Reproof
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. 31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.“
Observations: 15:25-32 This section is a good complement to Psalm 32. God resists the proud and helps the humble (Js 4:6). Those who listen to reproof and embrace correction, get wise and an intimate relationship with God. The righteous get their prayers answered, borders protected, health and joy. Those who hate correction, hate themselves, and God hates/detests them (and so does everyone who has the misfortune to be around them). So why would anyone want to be like that?
Application: Seek and welcome reproof and correction; if you're on the right path, it is nothing; if you're on the wrong path, it's lifesaving.
Prayer: Lord, may I be receptive to all You want to communicate to me through others and Your word, so that I experience the blessings of the wise and righteous. Thanks for caring for me. Amen.
1 Chronicles 17-22 These chapters describe David's desire to build God a house and end with the $230 Billion budget for its construction. They show how David's faithfulness to God resulted in God blessing him, and how David blessed God in return. The mighty men kill giants, and the Death Angel kills the disobedient. Typical days in the life of David.
1 Chronicles 17 Confidence in God's Blessing
17:1 When David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under curtains." 2 Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you." 3 It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Go and tell David my servant, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "You shall not build me a house to dwell in... 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. 11 It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. I will not take my hesed/loyal covenantal love away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne shall be established forever."’" 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
16 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. 18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. 19 Yahweh, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt? 22 For your people Israel you made your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 23 Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. 24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever."
Observations: 17:1-15 In this reporting of the Davidic Covenant (2Sam 7) David wants to build God a house; God says no, that David's son would build it; but adds that He will build David a house, as in a dynasty. [Chronicles refers to the Davidic Covenant seven times:
17:11-14; 22:8-13; 28:6-7; 2Ch 6:8-9, 16; 7:17-18;13:5; 21:7.]
17:2-4 Even though God was with David, not everything in David's heart was God's will. We need to daily inquire about God's will (this means you too, Nathan).
17:16-27 David responds with thanks and praise and trust/faith in God's promise to bless, just as Abraham did in Genesis 15:6. It's always good to base our prayers on God's promises, anticipating the fulfillment of them, by faith. (Remember, Biblical faith has to be based upon what God has promised in the Bible.)
Application: God is pleased to bless those who seek to please Him. We can't out-bless Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for the awesome blessings You've promised those who seek to please You; may I see their fulfillment in my life. Amen.
1 Chronicles 18 Dedicating Spoil for the Temple
18:1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people.
Observations: 18:1-14 In confirmation of the Davidic Covenant promise in 17:8 above, Yahweh gives David victory wherever he goes. David dedicates the spoil from those victories to Yahweh, which Solomon will use for building the Temple.
1 Chronicles 19 Problems Result in Peace
19:1 Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show hesed/covenantal loyalty to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed hesed/covenantal loyalty to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said...Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 6 When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, they sent one thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him." 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. 15 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River 17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan...fought with him. 18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen 19...they made peace with David, and served him: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
Observations: 19:1 Ammon's unjust treatment of David's kindly intentioned messengers results in subjugation of the Syrians as well as the Ammonites, through the wisdom and courage of Joab (who trusted in God for victory).
Application: God allows difficulties into our lives to both refine and bless us.
Prayer: God, help me discern Your purposes for, and the correct response to, the things in my life that I don't like. Amen.
1 Chronicles 20 Giant Killers
20:1 It happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it. 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 3 He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut/reduced them with/to saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4 It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. 5 There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
Observations: 20:1-8 No mention is made of David's sin with Bathsheba. The chronicler is more interested in highlighting David's successes from trusting God, which were far more than the adulteries that ended in murder. Killing giants mano a mano usually requires putting one's life in God's hand.
1 Chronicles 21 Death Angel for Disobedience
21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them." 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?" 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. 5 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. 8 David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." 9 Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, 10 "Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you."’" 11 So Gad came to David, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘Take your choice: 12 either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.’" 13 David said to Gad, "I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Yahweh; for his mercies are very great. Let me not fall into the hand of man." 14 So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel; and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. 15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough; now stay your hand." The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16 David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17 David said to God, "Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be numbered? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued."
Observations: 21:1-6 Satan or an adversary (same word) incites David to number the people, an apparent act of self-reliance, trusting in the number of people, rather than the protection of God. However, 1Kings 15:5, lists the ”matter of Uriah (Bathsheba)” as the only time David turned aside from God's commands. 2Samuel 24 indicates that God was using the census as a means of disciplining Israel for their sin: ”1 Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah."
21:7-17 While David didn't turn aside to other gods, his willingness to number the people did indicate a lack of dependence upon Yahweh (independence is essence of sin), and he confesses it, yet God brings David's choice of punishment. As the death angel approaches Jerusalem God relents. David sees the angel and begs God for the punishment to be upon him and his house (like Judah did in Genesis 44).
21:18-30 David offers a sacrifice as the angel commanded, and demonstrates that sacrifices are supposed to cost us.
Application: Independence from God is the essence of sin, and we will suffer costly consequences.
Prayer: God, spare me from the folly of trusting in anyone or anything other than You, as revealed in Your word, for my protection or prosperity. Amen.
1 Chronicles 22 Preparations for the Temple
22:1 Then David said, "This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." 2 David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build the house of God. 3 David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4 and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David. 5 David said, "Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it." So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon his son, "As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. 8 But the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.’ 11 Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. 14 Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Yahweh one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them. 15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skilful in every kind of work: 16 of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you."
17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18 "Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh, and before his people. 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh."
Observations: 22:1 Although David wasn't allowed to build the temple, he did everything he could to ensure its success:
22:2 He gathers foreigners as laborers.
22:3-5 He prepares all the materials. At current prices, the gold and silver alone would be valued at over $236 Billion US dollars.
22:6-16 He prepares Solomon with a pep talk, starting with God's promise (Davidic Covenant), and charging Solomon to keep the law, so that God will be with him and prosper him.
22:17-19 He prepares the leaders with a pep talk charging them to set their heart and soul on seeking God.
Application: If our heart and soul are set on seeking God, there's not much left of us to go astray.
Prayer: Gracious God, You are worthy of my total devotion; I will prepare my heart and mind, and
soul to seek You exclusively. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
God in a nutshell: God blesses those who seek to please him wholeheartedly, and disciplines those who don't (yawn!). He enables the faithful to slay giants, and turns problems into profit. He communicates His will to those who inquire so they can do it.
Us in a nutshell: Not all the desires of God's people are His will, so we need to dependently seek it every day. When God blesses us, we should bless Him in return. When disciplined, we should repent, sooner rather than later. We need to set our heart and soul in the direction of God and keep them there.
Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net
1 Chronicles 17-22 complete text
1 Chronicles 17
17:1 It happened, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under curtains." 2 Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you." 3 It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Go and tell David my servant, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "You shall not build me a house to dwell in; 5 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another. 6 In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’"’ 7 "Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh of Armies," I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. 11 It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne shall be established forever."’" 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
16 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. 18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honour which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. 19 Yahweh, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt? 22 For your people Israel you made your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 23 Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. 24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever."
1 Chronicles 18
18:1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 4 David took from him one thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou;) and he had with him all kinds of vessels of gold and silver and brass. 11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand. 13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe; 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
1 Chronicles 19
19:1 It happened after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David honours your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 Then there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."
6 When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Arammaacah, and out of Zobah. 7 So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 9 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city: and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him." 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. 15 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came on them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the army. 19 When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
1 Chronicles 20
20:1 It happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it. 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 3 He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4 It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. 5 There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
1 Chronicles 21
21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them." 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?" 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. 8 David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." 9 Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, 10 "Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you."’" 11 So Gad came to David, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘Take your choice: 12 either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.’" 13 David said to Gad, "I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Yahweh; for his mercies are very great. Let me not fall into the hand of man." 14 So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel; and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. 15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough; now stay your hand." The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16 David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17 David said to God, "Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be numbered? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued."
18 Then the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up, and raise an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of Yahweh. 20 Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. 21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar to Yahweh. You shall sell it to me for the full price, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes. Behold, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all." 24 King David said to Ornan, "No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost." 25 So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. 26 David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. 27 Yahweh commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath. 28 At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of Yahweh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 22
22:1 Then David said, "This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." 2 David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build the house of God. 3 David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4 and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David. 5 David said, "Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it." So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon his son, "As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. 8 But the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.’ 11 Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. 14 Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Yahweh one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them. 15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skilful in every kind of work: 16 of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you."
17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18 "Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh, and before his people. 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh."
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