1 Chronicles 23-29 Blessing the God Who Blesses Us

Psalm 59:11-17 The God of Hesed
Ps 59:11 “(10 My God will go before me with his hesed/loyal covenantal love. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.” 11 Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield. 12 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter. 13 Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah. 14 At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city. 15 They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied. 16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your hesed/loyal covenantal love in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my hesed/loyal covenantal love."

Observations: 59:1-10 See post on Joshua 9 for vv 1-10, in which David calls to God for help against his enemies who are watching his house to kill him.
59:11-17 David trusts in God's hesed or the loyalty He has to those with whom He has entered into a covenant relationship. God will always keep His side of the bargain. He will never fail to watch out for those who are loyal to Him. He asks that his enemies be caught in their pride and words so they will know that God rules. He is confident that God will subdue his enemies, because of His hesed, for which David plans to praise Him. Note that God shows His hesed in protecting His servants.

Application: Trust God to be loyal to His promises (hesed) and fight your battles, particularly against the proud liars; then praise Him for being Your strong tower.

Prayer: God I praise You that You are trustworthy and loyal to Your servants.  And that You not only can but will,  protect me from my enemies as I follow you. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 16:1-4 Will Your To Do List Succeed?
Pr 16:1 “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer* of the tongue is from Yahweh. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. 3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. 4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end*— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.”

Observation: Yahweh is mentioned in every verse.
16:1 It's our job to plan. God's job is to orchestrate the results.
16:4 *this phrase and “answer” in verse 1 are the same Hebrew word. Hmmmm...

Application: We need to look at our lives and motives from God's perspective, and commit our ToDo lists to Him.

Prayer: O God who weighs my motives, may I be doing what glorifies You rather than me. Amen.


1 Chronicles 23-29 The chronicler was more interested in the religious than the civil history, detailing administrative matters in chapters 23-27 (all of which you can safely omit without negatively impacting your spiritual life), and returning to Solomon in chapters 28 and 29 (which are chapters you really should know). David's prayer in chapter 29 gives a perspective that is vital for pleasing God, as does his charge to Solomon in 28:9.

1 Chronicles 23 Morning and Evening
23:1 Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 2 He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Yahweh; six thousand were officers and judges; 5 four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made, for giving praise." 6 David divided them into divisions 12 The sons of Kohath...13 Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before Yahweh, to minister to him, and to bless in his name, forever...30...stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening; 31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Yahweh; 32 and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, and the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the house of Yahweh.

Observations: 23:1-2 These verses introduce the rest of the book. All the intrigue of succession to David's throne recorded in 1Kings is omitted, and summed up in 23:1. The second verse gets expanded in this, and the next four chapters.
23:5 An orchestra of 4,000 was not big enough to keep Israel focused on God.
23:30 Thanking and praising God every morning, and every evening was mandated, to keep people focused on what God was doing in their lives.

Application: (And now a word from our sponsor...) DailyTruthbase beats the Daily News and the Nightly News, morning and evening, every day, if you want to be blessed by God. You can review/finish the posts in the evenings instead of watching re-runs. Whodathunk?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Prayer: God, You are worthy of thanks and praise, morning, evening, and throughout the day. Keep me mindful of Your blessings, so I can appreciate them and You continually. Amen.

1 Chronicles 24 Priests
24:1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron...5 Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were captains of the sanctuary, and princes of God... 30 These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. 31 These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king...

1 Chronicles 25 Choir
25:1 Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals: and the number of those who did the work according to their service was... 6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Yahweh, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. 7 The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skilful, was two hundred eighty-eight. 8 They cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

1 Chronicles 26 Ushers
26:1 For the divisions of the doorkeepers...20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. 26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. 27 They dedicated some of the spoil won in battles to repair the house of Yahweh. 28 All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers.

1 Chronicles 27 Organizational Chart
27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel...22...These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
25 Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah: 26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi: 28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: 29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat 30 and over the camels was Obil; over the donkeys was Jehdeiah: and over the flocks was Jaziz. 31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. 32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons: 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend: 34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king’s army was Joab.

Observations: If you ever need to run a company or a small kingdom, the above chapters give some ideas on organizational structure, although staff selection by casting lots might not be the wisest.

1 Chronicles 28 A Practice to Perfect
28:1 David assembled all the princes of Israel...all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, "Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood.’ 4 However Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of Yahweh’s kingdom over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he continues to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day.’ 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
9 You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it."
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the...temple...the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit...18 and for the altar of incense...the cherubim, that spread out, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. 19 "All this," said David, "I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern." 20 David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished." 21 Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God. There shall be with you in all kinds of work every willing man who has skill, for any kind of service. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.

Observations: 28:1-8 David reiterates the Davidic Covenant to the leadership of the nation, and charges them, with God as a witness, to observe and seek out all the commands of God, so they can enjoy the promised land and pass it on their children.
28:9-10 Verse nine should be a better known and memorized verse. We should seek to perfect it in our lives. It has five parts:
  • The main commands: know and serve;
  • The manner in which one serves: perfect heart and willing mind;
  • The reasons for such service: God knows and judges hearts and minds;
  • The result of wholehearted service: seek and find God;
  • The result of not serving wholeheartedly: forsake and be cast off, forever.
Even though God specifically chose David, Solomon, (Israel, and Jerusalem), they did what was wrong, and suffered consequences. When the nation abandoned Him, those individuals were cast off. However, the generation hearing these words had hope, for God had brought them back into the land to continue His program of blessing (as promised in the Abrahamic and Deuteronomic Covenants).
28:11-21 Just like God gave Moses specific instructions for the Tabernacle, so God gave instructions to David for the Temple.

Application: Study and apply 28:9 to your life. Bonus points for memorizing it in your favorite version.

Prayer: God, I want to know and serve You with all my heart and mind; prompt me to seek You whenever my thoughts and desires wander. Amen.

1 Chronicles 29 A Prayer to Ingrain
29:1 David the king said to all the assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God." 2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God...3 In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4 even three thousand talents of gold...5...Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Yahweh?" 6 Then the princes...captains...rulers...offered willingly; 7 and they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents... 8 They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, "You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever." 11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all; and in your hand is power and might; and it is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining. 16 Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own. 17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now have I seen with joy your people, that are present here, offer willingly to you. 18 Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you; 19 and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision."

Observations: 29:1-10 David gives about $6 Billion US of his own funds, on top of the $230 Billion that was dedicated from the spoil from battles. The leaders gave almost $10 Billion, not counting the precious stones and base metals. But they are only giving back to God a portion of what He had given them (see prayer below). There is great rejoicing, because people with a heart for God gave willingly to God, for His mandated purpose.
29:10-19 I still remember where I was standing in 1976 when I first read verses 10-12 and decided to memorize them (wish I remembered the verses that well). I had been reading Jim Elliott's “Shadow of the Almighty” and the quote “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” was rattling around in my brain as I read this prayer. It doubled the impact. Check out this link to see how Jim wrote the words in his journal.
David blesses God in recognizing that God owns it all; He gives some to us as a test, so that we have the opportunity to demonstrate uprightness in giving it back. This applies to more than money, but to everything God has entrusted to us. God gives to us, so we can give back to Him. (Only the first half of this paradigm applies to spouses - Genesis 3:12.) See the series on “Faithfulness: How to Hear the Words 'Well, done, good and faithful servant'” (in the back of the TOYL book on Truthbase.net) for a Biblical perspective on getting and giving money, as well as being a good steward of all the other things God has entrusted to us.

Questions: What do you have that you can't keep? How can you exchange it for something that you can't lose?

Application: Go back and pray David's prayer in you own words, and mean it.

Prayer: God, You are worthy of all we could give You. Thanks for accepting back our lives, and all we have. Amen.


Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God is great, and owns everything: power, glory, victory, majesty, riches, honor, power and strength. God blesses us, materially and spiritually, so we can bless Him in return. He tries our hearts, to see if we recognize and acknowledge His authorship and ownership of all we have. He takes pleasure in our uprightness. God is knowable, if we put the effort into seeking Him daily; we can have a relationship with Him, but only on His terms. He knows what we value, and what we intend, and judges incorrect values and motives. He chooses people and peoples to bless, but will forsake them if they don't obey and forsake Him.

Us in a nutshell: We can know and serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind, and experience consequent blessing, if we put the effort into seeking and obeying Him. We have the opportunity to delight Him by recognizing that He is the one who gives us what we have; those rightly related to Him can seek and receive the power, honor, riches and strength He offers. We can forsake God, and in doing so, not only forfeit the blessings He's given us, but wind up being forsaken by Him as well.

Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net
The Faithfulness Series at the end of the TOYL book.
1 Chronicles 23
23:1 Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 2 He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Yahweh; six thousand were officers and judges; 5 four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made, for giving praise." 6 David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. 10 The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11 Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah didn’t have many sons; therefore they became a fathers’ house in one reckoning. 12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before Yahweh, to minister to him, and to bless in his name, forever. 14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17 The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second. 21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22 Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives. 23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Yahweh, from twenty years old and upward. 25 For David said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 Also the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service." 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Yahweh, in the courts, and in the rooms, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God; 29 for the show bread also, and for the fine flour for a meal offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all kinds of measure and size; 30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening; 31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Yahweh; 32 and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, and the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the house of Yahweh.

1 Chronicles 24
24:1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office. 3 David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. 4 There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. 5 Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. 6 Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. 7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 This was their ordering in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20 Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah: Beno. 27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish; the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses. 31 These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’ households of the chief even as those of his younger brother.

1 Chronicles 25
25:1 Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals: and the number of those who did the work according to their service was: 2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh. 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 the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Yahweh, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. 7 The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skilful, was two hundred eighty-eight.
8 They cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar. 9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah; he and his brothers and sons were 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 for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 21 for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 22 for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 28 for the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 29 for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 30 for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve: 31 for the four and twentieth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

1 Chronicles 26
26:1 For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valour. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service; sixty-two of Obed-Edom. 9 Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. 10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet 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 Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the house of Yahweh. 13 They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate. 14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. 15 To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse. 16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. 17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. 18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. 19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. 21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the house of Yahweh. 23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: 24 and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures. 25 His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. 26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. 27 They dedicated some of the spoil won in battles to repair the house of Yahweh. 28 All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers.
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. 30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valour, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king. 31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers’ households. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead. 32 His brothers, men of valour, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers’ households, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles 27
27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand. 2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 3 He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. 4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 5 The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 6 This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his division was Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 8 The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were Twenty-four thousand. 14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: 17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok: 18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: 20 of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but didn’t finish; and there came wrath for this on Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David. 25 Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah: 26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: 28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: 29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: 30 and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. 32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons: 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend: 34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king’s army was Joab.

1 Chronicles 28
28:1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies who served the king by division, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valour, to Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, "Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood.’ 4 However Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of Yahweh’s kingdom over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he continues to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day.’ 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 9 You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it."
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of its houses, and of its treasuries, and of the upper rooms of it, and of the inner rooms of it, and of the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; 13 also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the vessels of service in the house of Yahweh; 14 of gold by weight for the gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service; 15 by weight also for the lampstands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lampstand; 16 and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; 17 and the forks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl; 18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, the cherubim, that spread out, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. 19 "All this," said David, "I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern." 20 David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished." 21 Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God. There shall be with you in all kinds of work every willing man who has skill, for any kind of service. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.

1 Chronicles 29
29:1 David the king said to all the assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God." 2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, and of various colours, and all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 3 In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4 even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses; 5 of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Yahweh?" 6 Then the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly; 7 and they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents. 8 They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, "You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever." 11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all; and in your hand is power and might; and it is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining. 16 Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own. 17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now have I seen with joy your people, that are present here, offer willingly to you. 18 Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you; 19 and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision."

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