31 These are the men that David put in charge of music in Yahweh’s residence, after the sacred chest was placed there. 32 They were the ones who had ministered in the sacred tent (also called ‘the meeting tent’) with music until Shelomoh (Solomon) built the temple in Yerushalem. They performed their duties according to their instructions.

33 Here is a list of the musicians and their sons:

• From Kohat’s descendants there was Heman, the leader of the singers.
• Heman was Yoel’s son.
• Yoel was Shemuel’s son.
• 34 Samuel was Elkanah’s son.
• Elkanah was Yeroham’s son.
• Yeroham was Eliel’s son.
• Eliel was Toah’s son.
• 35 Toah was Tsuf’s son.
• Tsuf was Elkanah’s son.
• Elkanah was Mahat’s son.
• Mahat was Amasai’s son.
• 36 Amasai was Elkanah’s son.
• Elkanah was Yoel’s son.
• Yoel was Azaryah’s son.
• Azaryah was Tsefanyah’s son.
• 37 Tsefanyah was Tahat’s son.
• Tahat was Assir’s son.
• Assir was Evyasaf’s son.
• Evyasaf was Korah’s son.
• 38 Korah was Yitshar’s son.
• Yitshar was Kohat’s son.
• Kohat was Levi’s son.
• Levi was the son of Yakov (or Jacob, who was later named Yisrael/Israel).

39 Heman’s brother Asaf’s group stood to the right. Asaf was Berekyah’s son. Berekyah was Shimea’s son. 40 Shimea was Mikael’s son. Michael was Baaseyah’s son. Baaseyah was Malkiyah’s son. 41 Malkiyah was Etni’s son. Etni was Zerah’s son. Zerah was Adayah’s son. 42 Adayah was Etan’s son. Etan was Zimmah’s son. Zimmah was Shimei’s son. 43 Shimei was Yahat’s son. Yahat was Gershon’s son. Gershon was Levi’s son.

44 Heman’s brother Merari’s group stood to the left. Eytan was Kishi’s son. Kishi was Abdi’s son. Abdi was Malluk’s son. 45 Malluk was Hashavyah’s son. Hashavyah was Uzziah’s son. Uzziah was Hilkiyah’s son. 46 Hilkiyah was Amtsi’s son. Amtsi was Bani’s son. Bani was Shemer’s son. 47 Shemer was Mahli’s son. Mahli was Mushi’s son. Mushi was Merari’s son. Merari was Levi’s son.

48 Their other Levite cousins were assigned to various ministries serving in God’s residence in the sacred tent. 49 It was Aharon (Aaron) and his sons who offered the sacrifices on the altar for burnt offerings and on the altar for incense, for all the work of the holiest place and to make atonement for Yisrael, according to everything that God’s servant Mosheh (Moses) had instructed. 50 These were Aharon’s descendants: Aharon’s son was Eleazar. Eleazar’s son was Pinehas. Pinehas’s son was Avishua. 51 Avishua’s son was Bukki. Bukki’s son was Uzzi. Uzzi’s son was Zerahyah. 52 Zerahyah’s son was Merayot. Merayot’s son was Amaryah. Amaryah’s son was Ahituv. 53 Ahituv’s son was Tsadok, and Tsadok’s son was Ahimaats.

10 Now the Philistines fought against Yisrael and the Israeli men fled away from the Philistines, and many were killed on Mt. Gilboa. 2 Then the Philistines pursued after Shaul and after his sons, and they killed his sons Yonatan, Avinadav, and Malki-Shua. 3 The battle against Shaul was very fierce, but then the archers spotted him and wounded him. 4 Then Shaul said to his equipment carrier, “Draw your sword and pierce me with it, so those uncircumcised Philistines can’t come here and torture me.” But his equipment carrier was very scared and wasn’t willing to do it, so Shaul took his sword and fell onto it. 5 Then his equipment carrier, seeing that King Shaul had died, he himself fell on his sword and died. 6 So Shaul and his three sons died, thus ending his family’s rule. 7 When all the Israelis living in the valley saw that the army had fled, and that Shaul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. Then the Philistines came, and they lived in them instead.

8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Shaul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa. 9 They stripped him and carried away his head and his armour. Then they sent messengers all around the Philistine regions to take the news to their idols and the people. 10 They put his armour in the temple of their gods, and they hung his head in their god Dagon’s temple. 11 When everyone who lived back in Yavesh in the Gilead region heard about everything that the Philistines had done to Shaul, 12 all the strong men took action and retrieved the corpses of Shaul and his sons, and brought them back to Yavesh. Then they buried them under the large tree in Yavesh, and they fasted seven days. 13 So Shaul died because of his disobedience—when he was unfaithful to Yahweh by not following Yahweh’s instructions, and also because he consulted medium for guidance[ref] 14 instead of requesting Yahweh’s advice. So Yahweh killed him and handed the kingdom over to Yishay’s son David.

11 Then all Yisrael assembled around David at Hevron, saying, “Look, we’re your flesh and bone relatives. 2 In the recent past, even when Shaul was king, you were the one who took Yisrael out and the one who brought us back in. Plus your God Yahweh told you, ‘You yourself will shepherd my people, Yisrael, and you yourself will become leader of my Israeli people.’ ” 3 So all the Israeli elders went to the king at Hevron, and David made a solemn agreement with them at Hevron in front of Yahweh. Then they anointed David as king over Yisrael according to Yahweh’s message that was given through the prophet Shemuel (Samuel).

4 Then David and all Yisrael went to Yerushalem (Jerusalem, which was also known as Yevus because the Yevusites were living there).[ref] 5 The inhabitants inside Yevus said to David, “You won’t be entering this place.” But David captured what became known as the Zion stronghold, that is, the city of David. 6 He had said, “Whoever strikes down the Yevusites first will become my army commander.” Tseruyah’s son Yoav went up over the wall first, and he became head of the army. 7 David started living in that stronghold, so then they called it the city of David. 8 He built the city up all around, from the terrace to the surrounding walls, and Yoav restored the rest of the city. 9 So David became more powerful because army commander Yahweh helped him.

10 The following were the leaders of David’s powerful warriors who together with all Yisrael, strengthened his kingdom and established him as king, just as Yahweh had said. 11 So these are David’s powerful warriors: Yashaveam (a Hakmonite and the leader of the thirty) once used his spear against three hundred men in a single battle and killed them all. 12 Next was Eleazar (an Ahohite, son of Dodo) who was one of the top three powerful warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas-Dammim when the Philistines had assembled there for battle near a part of the countryside where barley was growing. At first, the Israelis fled from the Philistines, 14 but then they took their stand in the middle of the barley and proceeded to defeat the Philistines as Yahweh saved them through a stunning victory.

15 Then three of that top thirty went down to David, near the rock at Adullam’s cave. Meanwhile, Philistines had encamped in the Refaim Valley. 16 David was in that stronghold then, and the Philistine garrison was in Beyt-Lehem 17 and David was thirsty and asked, “Who’ll get me water to drink from the well by the Beyt-Lehem gate?” 18 So those three broke through the Philistine camp, and they drew water from the well at the Beyt-Lehem gate, and they brought it back to David. But David wasn’t willing to drink it, and he poured it out on the ground as an offering to Yahweh. 19 “Far be it from me before my God to drink this water,” he said. “Could I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it?” So he wasn’t prepared to drink it. Those were some of the things that those three powerful warriors did.

20 Yoav’s brother Abshai, was the head of a group of three. He had killed three hundred with is spear and had a reputation among the three.[fn] 21 He was honoured more than the other two and became the leader of that second group of three, but didn’t enter the first Three.

22 Yehoyada’s son Benayah from Kavtse’el was a powerful warrior who did amazing things. He struck down Ariel’s two sons from Moab. Another time, he climbed down into a pit on a snowy day and killed the lion that was trapped in the pit. 23 He also killed a huge Egyptian man—well over 2m tall. The Egyptian was carrying a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benayah went down to take him on with a staff. He forced the spear from the Egyptian’s grasp, and then killed him with it. 24 So that was what Benayah (Yehoyada’s son) did that gave him a reputation among the three powerful warriors. 25 Actually, he was honoured more than the Thirty, yet he didn’t make it to the first Three, but David appointed him over his bodyguards.

26 These are the names of the powerful warriors: Asahel (Yoav’s brother), Elhanan (Dodo’s son from Beyt-Lehem), 27 Shammot (from Haror), Helets (from Pelon), 28 Ira (Ikkesh’s son from Tekoa), Aviezer (from Anatot), 29 Sibbekai (from Hushah), Ilai (from Ahoh), 30 Maharai (from Netofah), Heled (Baanah’s son from Netofah), 31 Itai (Rivai’s son from Giveah which belonged to Benyamin’s descendants), Benayah (from Piraton), 32 Hurai (from the valleys near Mt. Gaash), Aviel (from Aravah), 33 Azmavet (from Baharum), Elyahba (from Shaalvon), 34 Hashem’s sons (from Gizon), Yonatan (Shagee’s son from Harar), 35 Ahiam (Sakar’s son from Harar), Elifal (Ur’s son), 36 Hefer (from Mekerat), Ahiyyah (from Pelon), 37 Hezro (from Karmel), Naarai (Ezbai’s son), 38 Yoel (Natan’s brother), Mivhar (Hagri’s son), 39 Tselek (the Ammonite), Naharai (from Beerot, armour bearer for Tseruyah’s son Yoav), 40 Ira (the Yitrite), Garev (the Yitrite), 41 Uryyah (Bat-Sheba’s husband the Hittite), Zavad (Ahlai’s son), 42 Adina (Shiza’s son from the tribe of Reuven, a leader from that tribe who had thirty soldiers with him), 43 Hanan (Maakah’s son), Yoshafat (from Mithna), 44 Uzziyya (from Ashterat), Shama and Yeiel (Hotam’s sons from Aroer), 45 Yediael (Shimri’s son) and his brother Yoha (from Tiz), 46 Eliel (from Mahavah), Yerivai and Yoshaviah (Elnaam’s sons), Yitmah (from Moav), 47 Eliel and Obed, and Yaasiel (from Zobah).

12 These were the men who joined David in Tsiklag, when he was banished from Kish’s son, Shaul’s presence. (They were among the warriors who assisted David in battle 2 armed with bows. Some used slings right-handed and some left-handed as well as shooting arrows with a bow. They were from the tribe of Benyamin, Shaul’s relatives.) 3 Their leader was Ahiezer, then next was Yoash, both Shemaah’s sons from Gibeah city. Others were: Yeziel and Pelet (Azmavet’s sons), Berakah, Yehu (from Anatot city), 4 Yishmayah (from Gibeon city, who was the leader of the thirty greatest warriors), Yeremyah, Yahaziel, Yohanan, Yozabad (from Gederah city), 5 Eluzai, Yerimot, Bealyah, Shemaryah, Shefatyah (from Haruf city), 6 Elkanah, Yishshiyah, Azarel, Yoezer, and Yashoveam (all Korah’s descendants), 7 and Yoelah and Zevadyah (Yeroham’s sons, from Gedor city).

8 Some Gadites joined David at the wilderness stronghold. They were very strong army warriors, ready for battle with shields and spears. Their faces were fierce like lions, but they could run across the hills like gazelles. 9 Their leader was Ezer, then Ovadyah, then Eliav. 10 Next was Mishmannah, then Yermeyah, 11 Attai, Eliel, 12 Yohanan, Elzavad, 13 another Yermeyah, then the eleventh was Makbannai.

14 Those men from the tribe of Gad were army leaders—each leading somewhere between one hundred and one thousand men. 15 They crossed to the west side of the Yordan River during the spring, at the time of the year when the river floods. They drove out all the people who lived in the valleys on both sides of the river.

16 Some other men from the tribes of Benyamin and Yehudah also went to David in his stronghold. 17 David went out of the cave to meet them, and he told them: “If you’ve come to me in peace, to help me, then I’ll be happy to agree with you all. But if you all plan to betray me to my enemies even though I’ve done you all no harm, may the God of our ancestors see your motives and judge.”

18 Then the spirit empowered Amasai, the head of the thirty, and he said: “To you, David, and with you, son of Yishay (Jesse). Peace, peace to you and peace to the one who helps you, because your God has helped you.” And David received them and placed them as the heads of the troop.

19 Some men from Menashsheh joined David when he accompanied the Philistines to battle against King Shaul. (But David and his men didn’t help the Philistines because the Philistines’ governors were advised to send them away as there was a worry that David would feel loyal to his former master, and hence turn on them.) 20 As David was going to Tsiklag, the following men from Menashsheh joined him: Adnah, Yozavad, Yediael, Mikael, another Yozavad, Elihu, and Tsilletai—the captains of units of thousands from Menashsheh. 21 They helped David stand against bands of raiders, because all of them were powerful warriors and military leaders. 22 Every day more men joined to help David, until his army became very large like the Israeli people themselves.

23 The following are the numbers of the leaders of those equipped for war. They came to David at Hevron to help him obtain Shaul’s kingdom as Yahweh had promised.

• 24 From Yehudah (Judah): 6,800 warriors ready for battle with shields and spears.
• 25 From Shimeon (Simeon): 7,100 powerful warriors ready for battle.
• 26 From Levi: 4,600.
• 27 Yehoyada (a leader descended from Aharon) brought 3,700 with him.
• 28 Tsadok, a strong young man brought twenty-two leaders from his clan.
• 29 From Benyamin (Shaul’s tribe): 3,000 (most of whom had previously served King Shaul).
• 30 From Efrayim: 20,800 powerful warriors who were admired within their own clans
• 31 From the half-tribe of Menashsheh: 18,000 who were known by name came to make David king.
• 32 From Yissaskar: 200 leaders (with a good understanding of the times and the right thing to do) along with their relatives that they commanded.
• 33 From Zevulun: 50,000 experienced warriors with each kind of weapon and stoic in attitude yet loyal.
• 34 From Naftali: 1,000 officers, along with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears.
• 35 From Dan: 28,600 men prepared for battle.
• 36 From Asher: 40,000 warriors prepared for battle.
• 37 From Reuven, Gad, and the Menashsheh half-tribe across the Yordan river: 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons.

38 All those enthusiastic and capable warriors came to Hevron to make David king over all Yisrael. The rest of Yisrael was also united in wanting to make David king. 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, because their families had sent provisions with them. 40 Also, those who lived near that area (even as far as Yissaskar and Zevulun and Naftali) were bringing bread on donkeys and camels, and on mules and on oxen: plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, and oil, as well as oxen and sheep, because Yisrael was celebrating.

13 One day David consulted with all his leaders—the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. 2 David said to all the assembly of Yisrael, “If it sounds good to you all, and to our God Yahweh, let’s spread out to all our different regions to recruit our relatives, along with the priests and the Levites in the cities of their pasturelands, so they can join us. 3 And let’s return our God’s box back here, because we didn’t use it to ask God for guidance in Shaul’s time.” 4 All the assembled people agreed because everyone could see that it was the right thing to do.

5 So David assembled all Yisrael from Shihor river down in Egypt and as far north as Lebo-Hamat, to bring in God’s chest from Kiriat-Yearim.[ref] 6 Then David and all Yisrael went to Kiriat-Yearim (also known as Baalah, in Yehudah), to bring up from there the box of God Yahweh who sits over the winged creatures. The box is used when calling his name to request help.[ref] 7 They transported God’s box on a new cart from Avinadav’s house, and Uzzah and Ahyo were leading the cart 8 and David and all Yisrael were celebrating in front of God with all their energy, and with songs, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

9 However just as they were passing Kidon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the box. 10 That made Yahweh very angry with Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had reached out to touch the box, and he died right there in front of God. 11 That in turn made David angry because Yahweh had burst out against Uzzah, and he named that place Perets-Uzzah (which means ‘outburst against Uzzah’) until this day.

12 David was afraid of God that day and asked himself, “How can I possible bring God’s box to where I am in Yerushalem?” 13 So David gave up on bringing the box to where he was in the city of David, and instead he took it into the nearby house of Oved-Edom the Gittite. 14 So God’s box stayed at Oved-Edom’s house for three months, and Yahweh blessed Oved-Edom’s home and everything that belonged to him.[ref]

14 One day King Hiram from Tsor (Tyre) sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and stone masons and carpenters to build a house for him. 2 By then David had realised that Yahweh had established him as king over Yisrael—that his kingdom was being made more prominent for the sake of Yahweh’s people Yisrael.

3 Then David took more wives in Yerushalem and he fathered more sons and daughters. 4 These are his children who were born there in Yerushalem: Shammua, Shovav, Natan, Shelomoh (Solomon), 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nefeg, Yafia, 7 Elishama, Beelyada, and Elifelet.

8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king over all Yisrael, the entire Philistine army went up into the hill country to eliminate him. David got this news and took his army out to meet them. 9 Meanwhile, the Philistines went and raided the Refaim valley, 10 and David asked God, “Should I take on the Philistines, and will you give me victory over them?”

“Go ahead,” Yahweh answered, “and I’ll enable you to defeat them.”

11 Then they[fn] went up to what’s now called Baal-Peratsim, and David defeated them down there. David said, “God has used me to break through my enemies like a flooded river breaking a dam.” Therefore they named that place Baal-Peratsim (which means ‘the master bursts through’). 12 The Philistines abandoned their idols as they fled, and David ordered them to be burnt.

13 But soon the Philistines raided the valley again, 14 and David asked God’s advice again. “Don’t go uphill after them,” God said, “but circle around them and confront them in front of the balsam trees. 15 When you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, that’s when you should attack, because God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 16 So David did just as God had told him, and he attacked the Philistines from Giveon all the way to Gezer. 17 So David’s reputation spread everywhere, and Yahweh caused the other nations to be afraid of him.

15 David constructed houses for his wives in the city of David. He also prepared a place for God’s sacred box and erected a tent for it. 2 Then David ordered, “Only the Levites are allowed to carry God’s box, because Yahweh chose them to carry the box and to minister for him forever.”[ref] 3 David assembled all Yisrael in Yerushalem to bring Yahweh’s box uphill there to the place that he’d prepared for it. 4 Then he summoned Aharon’s descendants and these Levites:

• 5 From Kohat’s descendants (Levi’s second son): Uriel the leader and 120 of his relatives.
• 6 From Merari’s descendants (Levi’s third son): Asayah the leader and 220 of his relatives.
• 7 From Gershom’s descendants (Levi’s eldest son): Yoel the leader and 130 of his relatives.
• 8 From Elitsafan’s descendants: Shemayah the leader and 200 of his relatives.
• 9 From Hevron’s descendants: Eliel the leader and eighty of his relatives.
• 10 From Uzziyel’s descendants: Amminadav the leader and 112 of his relatives.

11 David summoned the priests Tsadok and Abiatar and these Levites: Uriel, Asayah, Yoel, Shemayah, Eliel, and Amminadav. 12 He told them, “You are the heads of the Levite clans. Consecrate yourselves, you and your relatives, and bring the box of Yisrael’s God Yahweh up to where I’ve prepared a place for it. 13 The first time we tried, it wasn’t you Levites, so our God Yahweh burst out against us because we hadn’t requested his instruction.”

14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the sacred box of Yisrael’s God, Yahweh. 15 Then, following Yahweh’s instructed as given to Mosheh (Moses), Levi’s descendants carried God’s sacred chest with it’s poles on their shoulders.[ref]

16 Meanwhile, David instructed the Levite leaders to assign their brothers as the singers with instruments of song, harps, lyres, and cymbals—playing to raise a sound of celebration. 17 The Levites assigned Yoel’s son Heman and his relative Asaf (son of Berekyah) and Eytan (Kishayah’s son, a descendant of Merari), 18 along with their Levite cousins: Zekaryah, Ben, Yaaziel, Shemiramot, Yehiel, Unni, Eliav, Benayah, Maaseyah, Mattityah, Elifelehu, Mikneyah, and two of the temple gatekeepers, Oved-Edom and Yeiel. 19 Heman, Asaf, and Etan sang and also played bronze cymbals. 20 Zekaryah, Aziel, Shemiramot, Yehiel, Unni, Eliav, Maaseyah, and Benayah played harps in a certain musical style. 21 Mattityah, Elifelehu, Mikneyah, Oved-Edom, Yeiel, and Azazyah played lyres in a different musical style.

22 Kenanyah, the leader of the musical Levites, directed the singing because he was very capable. 23 Berekyah and Elkanah were two of the men who guarded the sacred chest. 24 The priests Shevanyah, Yoshafat, Netanel, Amasai, Zekaryah, Benayah, and Eliezer were the ones who blew trumpets in front of God’s sacred chest. Oved-Edom and Yehiyyah also guarded the sacred chest.

25 So David, and the Israeli elders, and the top army commanders were going to get the box containing Yahweh’s agreement from the house of Obed Edom with much celebration. 26 Indeed, God helped the Levites carrying the box containing Yahweh’s agreement, and they slaughtered seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed in a fine-linen robe, as well as all the Levites carrying the box, and the singers, and the choir director Kenanyah. In addition, David, wore a linen chestpiece. 28 So all Yisrael was bringing the box containing Yahweh’s agreement up the hill with happy shouting, and with a sound of a ram’s horn and with trumpets and cymbals, along with harps and lyres playing.

29 As the box containing Yahweh’s agreement was being brought inside the city of David, Mikal (Shaul’s daughter) looked out the window and saw her husband, King David dancing and celebrating, and she secretly despised him.

16 Then they brought in the God’s box and put it in the middle of the tent that David had erected for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings in front of God. 2 When David finished presenting the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in Yahweh’s name. 3 Then he distributed a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake, to each man and woman in Yisrael.

4 Then David appointed some Levites to minister in front of Yahweh’s box and to commemorate and to thank and to praise Yisrael’s God Yahweh. 5 Asaf was their leader with Zekaryah as his assistant. The other Levites who helped were Yeiel, Shemiramot, Yehiel, Mattityah, Eliav, Benayah, Oved-Edom, and Yeiel. They played harps and lyres, and Asaph played cymbals. 6 Benayah and Yahaziel the priests regularly blew trumpets regularly in front the box containing God’s agreement.

7 On that day, David first gave Asaf and his helpers this song to praise Yahweh:

8 Give thanks to Yahweh and use his name when calling out for help.

→Tell all the other nations about what he’s done for you all.

9 Sing to him and make music to him.

→Tell everyone about all the wonderful things that he’s done.

10 Boast about his untarnished reputation.

→Those who follow Yahweh should celebrate.

11 Ask Yahweh to help you and give you his strength.

≈Always be asking for his direction.

12 Remember the wonderful things that he’s done—

≈his miracles and how he punished those who deserved it.

13 You descendants of his servant Yisrael,

≈you descendants of Yakov, the one who he chose.

14 He is our God, Yahweh.

≈He judges the entire world.

15 Remember his agreement forever—

≈the instructions that he gave to a thousand generations.

16 The agreement that he made with Abraham,[ref]

≈and his promise to Yitshak.

17 He established it as a law to Yakov[ref]—

≈to Yisrael as an eternal agreement

18 saying, “I’ll give the Canaan region to you

≈your portion that will then be your inheritance.”

19 When you were still a small group,

≈insignificant, and strangers in the land,

20 and they wandered back and forth from nation to nation,

≈and from one kingdom to another.

21 God didn’t permit anyone to oppress them,[ref]

≈and he rebuked kings on their behalf:

22 “Don’t attack my chosen people,

≈and don’t harm my prophets.”

23 Sing to Yahweh everybody.

→Every day tell others that he’s saved us.

24 Tell the other nations about his power.

≈Tell all the people groups about the wonderful things he’s done,

25 because Yahweh is great and deserves a lot of praise,

≈and he should be revered more than any other god.

26 All those gods of the other people groups are worthless,

^but it was Yahweh who created the heavens.

27 His presence emanates splendour and grandeur,

≈and strength and happiness radiate from his place.

28 You people in nations all over the world, praise Yahweh—

praise him for his splendour and his strength.

29 Praise Yahweh for his great reputation.

Bring an offering and come into his presence.

≈Worship Yahweh in his splendour and purity.

30 Let the entire planet tremble if he comes.

The world is firmly established—it can’t be shaken around.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth shout in celebration,

and let people in all the nations say, “Yahweh is king.”

32 Let the oceans roar along with all the creatures in them.

Let the countryside celebrate along with all the creatures that live there.

33 Then the trees in the forests should shout happily when Yahweh comes,

because he is coming to judge the world.

34 Give thanks to Yahweh, because he’s good,[ref]

because his loyal commitment lasts forever.

35 Then say, “Rescue us, God who’s our saviour,

and bring us together and save us from attacks by other nations,

so that we’ll thank you for your untarnished reputation,

and boast about your praiseworthy actions.”

36 Blessed be Yisrael’s God Yahweh,

in eternity past and eternity to come.

And all the people said, “Amen” and praised Yahweh.

37 Then David went away from where Yahweh’s box had been placed. Asaph and his brothers were left to minister in front of the box continually—each day depending on the occasion, 38 along with Oved-Edom and sixty-eight relative. Oved-Edom (Yedutun’s son) and Hosah, were gatekeepers.

39 Also Tsadok the priest and his relatives the priests were at the front of Yahweh’s tabernacle at the high place which was in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually, morning and evening, following all the instructions that Yahweh had given Yisrael and had been written down. 41 With them were Heman and Yedutun and the rest of those chosen who were designated by name to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loyal commitment lasts forever. 42 Heman and Yedutun had brought trumpets and cymbals to accompany the songs for God, and Yedutun’s sons at the gate joined in also.

43 Then all the people left and went home, and David also returned home to bless his household.[ref]

17 After a while when David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Natan, “Look, here I am living in a palace made of cedar, but the box containing Yahweh’s agreement is kept in a tent.” 2 “Go add and do what you’re planning,” Natan replied, “because God is with you.”

3 But that night God spoke to Natan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David that Yahweh says this: You yourself won’t be the one to build a residence for me to live in, 5 because I haven’t lived in a building from the day that I brought Yisrael out of Egypt until today—I’ve moved from place to place and tent to tent. 6 As I travelled with all the Israelis, did I ever complain to any of Yisrael’s leaders who I’d commanded to shepherd my people, and ask them, ‘Why haven’t you all built a house of cedar for me?’ ”

7 “So now you should tell my servant David that army commander Yahweh says this: I myself took you from the pasture, from behind the sheep, to be a leader over my people Yisrael. 8 I’ve always been with you wherever you’ve gone, and I’ve defeated all your enemies who were attacking you, and I’ll make you famous like some of the greatest people in the world. 9 I’ll set a place for my people Yisrael, and I’ll plant them, and they’ll settle in that place and not need to be fearful again. Violent groups won’t continue to trouble them like they’ve done before, 10 and ever since the time that I put heroes and leaders over my people Yisrael. Then I’ll humble all your enemies. In addition, I declare to you that Yahweh will build a dynasty for you. 11 When your time on earth is up and it’s time to join your deceased ancestors, then I’ll raise up one of your sons and establish his kingdom. 12 He’ll be the one to build a temple for me and establish a dynasty that will last forever. 13 I myself will be a father to him, and he’ll be a son to me, and I won’t cease my loyal commitment to him like I ended it with your predecessor.[ref] 14 I’ll confirm his rule over my temple and my kingdom forever, and his ruling dynasty will last forever.”

15 So Natan passed all of that on to David.

16 Then king David went in and sat in front of Yahweh, and asked, “Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family, that you’ve brought me to this point? 17 This was such a small thing in your eyes, God, and you’ve spoken about the future of your servant’s family, and you’ve blessed me more than I deserve, Yahweh God. 18 What more can I, David say to you about how you’ve honoured your servant, because you certainly know me well. 19 Yahweh, you’ve done all these great things for the sake of your servant, and done just what you wanted in order to reveal your greatness. 20 Yahweh, there’s no one else like you, and no God except you, as we’ve all heard for ourselves. 21 There’s no other country like your people Yisrael—the only nation in the world where you God, rescued the people in order to make them your own. That made you famous and also feared, as you drove the people groups out ahead of your people who you ransomed out of Egypt. 22 You took your people Yisrael to be your people forever, and you, Yahweh, became our God.

23 “And now, Yahweh, may what you said about your servant and his family be confirmed forever, and come to pass just like you’ve said. 24 May your reputation be established and increase forever, as people say, ‘Army commander Yahweh, Yisrael’s God, is god over Yisrael.’ And your servant David’s family has been established as you’ve watched 25 because you, God, have revealed to your servant that you will give me a dynasty. That’s why I’m brave enough to pray to you. 26 Yes, Yahweh, you are God and you’ve promised these good things to me, your servant. 27 Then you’ve now decided to bless your servant’s family to be forever in front of you, because you, Yahweh, have blessed us and so we’ll be blessed forever.

18 Sometime afterwards, David attacked and defeated the Philistines, subduing them, and he captured the Philistine city of Gat and its surrounding villages. 2 Then he attacked and defeated Moav, and the Moabites became servants to David—taking him regular tribute.

3 Next David attacked and defeated King Hadadezer of Tsovah-Hamat, when that king had tried enforce his control at the Euphrates River. 4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot-soldiers from him. And David hamstrung all but one hundred of the chariot horses.

5 When the Arameans (or, Syrians) came from Damascus to help King Hadadezer, David struck killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 6 Then David established forces in the Aramean town of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, taking him regular tribute. So Yahweh helped David wherever he went. 7 David took the gold shields that were used by Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Yerushalem. 8 He also took a lot of bronze from Hadadezer’s cities of Tibhat and Kun. (Later, Shelomoh/Solomon used it to make the huge bronze basin called ‘the sea’, along with its pillars and other bronze items.)[ref]

9 When King To’u from Hamat heard that David defeated the entire the army of King Hadadezer from Tsovah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David carrying various items of gold, silver, and bronze. Hadorom went to ask David for peace and to bless him because he’d fought against Hadadezer and struck him down, because To’u had also been at war with Hadadezer. 11 King David consecrated that to Yahweh, along with the gold and silver that he’d brought back from other nations: from Edom, from Moav, from the Ammonites, from the Philistines, and from the Amalekites.

12 Avshai (whose mother was Tseruyah) defeated Edom in the Salt Valley, killing eighteen thousand of them.[ref] 13 Then David stationed garrisons in Edom, and all Edom became his servants. And Yahweh saved David in all where he went.

14 So David ruled over all Yisrael and administered justice and did what was right for all his people. 15 Tseruyah’s son Yoav led the army, and Ahilud’s son Yehoshafat was the record keeper. 16 Ahituv’s son Tsadok and Avyatar’s son Ahimelek were priests, and Shavsha was the secretary. 17 Yehoyada’s son Benayah supervised the Keretites and Feletites who were David’s bodyguards, and David’s sons were his leading officials.

19 Some time later, the Ammonite King Nahash died and his son Hanun became their king 2 and David said, “I’ll show loyal commitment to Nahash’s son Hanun, because his father was good to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father’s death. However, when David’s servants entered Ammonite territory to comfort Hanun, 3 the Ammonite leaders asked their new king, “Do you think that David’s really sending comforters to honour your father? Wouldn’t it be more likely that he sent his servants to explore and spy out the land in order to overthrow you?” 4 So King Hanun took David’s servants, and had their beards shaved off, plus he cut off the bottom half of their robes to expose their buttocks, and then he sent them home. 5 Some people quickly informed David what had happened, so he sent messengers to meet the men (because they were very much humiliated) and to tell them, “Stay there in Yeriho (Jericho) until your beards grow out, then return here.”

6 By then, the Ammonites realised that they had greatly insulted King David, so King Hanun and the Ammonites sent thirty tonnes of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-Naharayim, Aram-Maakah, and Tsovah. 7 They hired 32,000 chariots, as well as the king of Maakah and his army. They all came and set up their camps near Meydeva, plus they were joined by the Ammonites themselves coming out of their cities ready for battle.

8 When David heard about that, he sent Yoav with the entire army. 9 Then the Ammonites marched out and deployed ready for battle at the entrance to their city, while kings who had come were over in the countryside with their men.

10 Yoav quickly realised that he’d have to fight on two fronts, so he chose Yisrael’s best warriors and set them out to face the Arameans (Syrians), 11 while he placed the remaining men (under the control of his older brother Avshai) out against the Ammonites. 12 Yoav told them, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you can come to rescue me. But if the Ammonites start to gain on you, then I’ll come to rescue you. 13 We must be strong and fight hard to defend our people and our cities that belong to our God. Yahweh will do what he considers to be good.”

14 So Yoav advanced his troops to attack the Arameans, but the Arameans fled away from them. 15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Avshai and withdrew into the city, so Yoav went back to Yerushalem.

16 When the Arameans saw that they were defeated by Yisrael, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from across the Euphrates river, led by Shofak, the commander of Hadadezer’s army. 17 When that was reported to David, he gathered all Yisrael and crossed the Yordan. They positioned themselves against the Arameans who then fought against them. 18 But the Arameans fled away from the Israelis, and David killed seven thousand chariot drivers and forty thousand men on foot, as well as killing Shofak their army commander. 19 When Hadadezer’s servants saw that Yisrael had defeated them, they made peace with David and became his subjects, so Aram (Syria) wasn’t willing to help the Ammonites militarily any more.

20 Then in the spring when kings often march out to war, Yoav led the army out for war and he devastated the land of the Ammonites. Then he reached the capital, Rabbah, and he besieged it while David stayed in Yerushalem. Yoav defeated Rabbah and demolished the city.[ref] 2 Then David took their king’s crown off his head—it was gold with a valuable gemstone set in out, and weighed thirty kilograms. He put the crown on his own head, plus he took a very large amount of plunder out of the city. 3 Then they took all the people out of the city and forced them to work with saws and iron picks, and axes. David did that for the people of all the Ammonite cities, then he returned to Yerushalem with his army.

4 Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer, then Sibbekai the Hushatite struck down Sippai, from the descendants of the Refaim, and they were subdued.

5 Then there was another battle with the Philistines, and Yair’s son Elhanan killed Lahmi the brother of Goliyat (Goliath)[ref] the Gittite (i.e., from Gat), even though his spear shaft was as thick as the beam of a weaver’s loom. 6 There was also war at Gat where there was a very tall man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot who was also a descendant of Rafa. 7 When he insulted Yisrael, Shimea’s son Yonatan killed him. (Shimea was one of David’s older brothers.)

8 Those were the descendants of Rafa from Gat who were killed by David and he men.

Yoav doesn’t want to do the census

21 Then a trouble-maker went against Yisrael by encouraging David to take a census of Yisrael, 2 So David ordered Yoav and the other officials, “Go and count Yisrael from Be’er-Sheva in the south and as far north as Dan, then come and tell me so that I’ll know how many warriors I have.”

3 “My master, the king, may Yahweh multiply his people one hundred times over. Aren’t they all your servants?” Yoav diplomaticaly queried, “So why does my master want to do this? Why should he bring judgement on Yisrael?” 4 But the king insisted, so Yoav was forced to go and survey the entire country. Then he returned to Yerushalem 5 and reported the numbers to David. Yisrael had 1.1 million sword-wielding men, and Yehudah had 470 thousand. 6 However, Yoav had intentionally not counted the tribes of Levi and Benyamin, because he was horrified by the king’s command.

Punishment for the census

7 God was displeased by what David had ordered, and he punished Yisrael, 8 and David said to God, “I’ve disobeyed you badly by doing that. Please forgive your servant for his disobedience, because I’ve been very stupid.”

9 Then Yahweh told David’s prophet Gad, 10 “Go and tell David that Yahweh says this: I’ll give you three options—choose one of them and that’s what I’ll do to you.”

11 So Gad went to David and told his, “Yahweh says that you must choose one of these punishments: 12 either three years of famine, or three months of being overcome by your enemies’ armies, or three days of Yahweh’s ‘sword’ of pestilence in the land and the Yahweh’s messenger bringing destruction across all of Yisrael’s territory. So now, tell me what answer I should take back to the one who sent me?”

13 “Oh, that’s very distressing,” David replied to Gad, “but please don’t let me fall into the hands of my enemies. Yahweh is very merciful, so please let him be the one to punish me directly.”

14 So Yahweh sent a disease throughout Yisrael and seventy thousand Israeli men died. 15 Then God sent a messenger to destroy Yerushalem, and while the disease was still spreading Yahweh looked down and relented about the tragedy, and he told to the destroying messenger, “Enough! Now release your hand.” Now Yahweh’s messenger happened to be standing at the threshing floor of Ornan the Yevusite.

16 As David looked up, he saw Yahweh’s messenger standing between the earth and the heavens, holding his sword stretched out over Yerushalem. Then David and the elders who were all dressed in sackcloth, fell to their knees and bowed their faces to the ground. 17 Then David asked God, “Wasn’t it me myself who said to count the people? It’s me who disobeyed and clearly did what was wrong, but these sheep, what have they done? Yahweh my God, please direct your punishment against me and my extended family, but don’t continue this plague on your people.”

18 Then Yahweh’s messenger told Gad to tell David that he should build an altar to Yahweh at the threshing floor of Ornan the Yevusite. 19 So David went up to that place when he heard Gad’s message that was delivered in Yahweh’s name. 20 Meanwhile, Ornan was threshing wheat, and he turned and saw Yahweh’s messenger and he and his four sons who were with him quickly hid behind something. 21 When David arrived there, Ornan saw him and left the threshing floor and knelt in front of David and bowed his face to the ground. 22 Then David asked Ornan, “Give me this place with its threshing floor, and I’ll build an altar to Yahweh on it. Sell it to me at the full price, so the plague against the people will be stopped.”

23 “My master the king, take anything that you want,” Ornan replied. “Listen, I’ll donate the cattle for the burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for firewood, and the wheat for the offering—all at no charge.”

24 “No, I’ll most definitely pay the full price,” King David responded. “I couldn’t offer a burnt offering to Yahweh if it hadn’t cost me anything.” 25 So David paid Ornan six hundred gold pieces for his place, 26 and he built an altar to Yahweh there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on it. He called to Yahweh, and Yahweh answered him with fire from the heavens on that altar of the burnt offering.

27 Then Yahweh spoke to his messenger who then returned his sword to his sheath.

28 When David saw that Yahweh had answered him at (the Yevusite) Ornan’s threshing floor, then he sacrificed there. 29 At that time, Yahweh’s sacred tent that Mosheh (Moses) had made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt sacrifices, were on a hill used for worship near Gibeon city. 30 David wasn’t able to go there to ask God’s direction because he was terrified of Yahweh’s messenger’s sword.

22 Then David said, “This is now the residence of Yahweh God, and this is the altar for Yisrael’s burnt offering.”

2 Then David said to gather the foreigners who lived in Israel, and he assigned them the job of hewing out cut stones to build the residence for God. 3 He prepared a large quantity of iron for the door hinges and fittings, so much brass that it couldn’t be weighed, 4 and innumerable cedar logs that the Tsidonians and the Tsorians (Sidonians and Tyrians) brought in for David. 5 David said, “My son Shelomoh (Solomon) is young and tender, and the house to be built for Yahweh must be impressive for the sake of his reputation and for beauty in all the lands so I’ll prepare for it now.” So David prepared a large amount before he died.

6 Then David called for his son Shelomoh (Solomon), and ordered him to build a residence for Yisrael’s God Yahweh. 7 David told him, “My son, I wanted to build a temple to honour my God Yahweh,[ref] 8 but Yahweh gave me this message, ‘You’ve fought a lot of battles and shed a large amount of blood, so you won’t be the one who’ll build a residence to honour me—you’ve shed too much blood on the ground in my sight.’ 9 He told me, ‘Listen, you’ll have a son who’ll be a man of peace. I’ll give him relief from all his enemies from the surrounding regions. That’s why he’ll be called ‘Shelomoh’ (which sounds like ‘Shalom’—the Hebrew word for peace), and I’ll give peace and quietness to Yisrael during his lifetime. 10 He’ll be the one to build a residence for me, and he himself will become my son, and I’ll become his father, and I’ll establish the throne of his kingdom over Yisrael forever.’

11 “Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you, and may you be successful and build a residence for Yahweh your God, just as he said you would. 12 I also ask Yahweh to give you insight and understanding, and give you charge over Yisrael so that you can keep your God Yahweh’s regulations. 13 Then you’ll succeed, if you are careful to follow the instructions and the directions that Yahweh commanded Mosheh (Moses) concerning Yisrael. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.[ref]

14 Now, see, despite many battles, I’ve prepared the following for Yahweh’s residence: three thousand tonnes of gold and thirty thousand tonnes of silver, along with too much bronze and iron to weigh, and timber and cut stones. Plus you’ll be able to add more. 15 You’ll have plenty of skilled workers including those who work with stone and those who work with wood. 16 Then there’s so many skilled with gold and silver, and bronze and iron. So get organised and get started, and may Yahweh be with you.

17 Then David ordered all the Israeli officials to assist his son Shelomoh, saying, 18 “Isn’t Yahweh your God with you all, and hasn’t he given peace to you all from all around, because he’s allowed me to take control of this region, and this area has been subdued with the help of Yahweh and his people. 19 Now, dedicate your mind and strength to request advice from your God Yahweh, then get organised and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God so you can bring the box containing Yahweh’s agreement to the residence to be built to honour Yahweh’s name, and bring God’s sacred items.”

23 By then David was old and coming to the end of his life, and he made his son Shelomoh (Solomon) king over Yisrael.[ref]

2 Then David gathered all the Israeli officials and the priests and Levites. 3 Counting the Levite males that were thirty years old and older, they found there were thirty-eight thousand men. 4 David assigned twenty-four thousand of them to supervise the work at Yahweh’s temple, six thousand to be officials and judges, 5 four thousand to be gatekeepers, and four thousand to praise Yahweh using the musical instruments that he’d provided.

6 So David divided the Levites into divisions according to their ancestry through Levi’s sons Gershon, Kohat, and Merari.

24 Aharon’s sons were: Nadav, Avihu, Eleazar, and Itamar, 2 but Nadav and Avihu died before their father and without having any children, so only Eleazar and Itamar became priests.[ref] 3 David gave Eleazar’s descendant Tsadok, and Itamar’s descendant Ahimelek two different sets of duties to perform. 4 There were more leaders among Eleazar’s descendants than there were among Itamar’s descendants, so they appointed sixteen leaders from Eleazar’s descendants and eight from Itamar’s descendants. 5 They divided up the duties by lots so some of the leaders from each of the two groups served the facility and others served God directly. DOUBLE-CHECK, along with v3. 6 Netanel’s son Shemayah was the Levite scribe who recorded all this in front of the king and the leaders, Tsadok the priest and Abiatar’s son Ahimelek, and the clan leaders of the priests and the Levites. (One family was drawn by lot from Eleazar’s group, and then the next from Itamar’s, etc.)

7 The first two allocations of duties went to Yehoyariv and then Yedayah. 8 Next were Harim and Seorim, 9 Malkiyyah and Miyyamin, 10 Hakkots and Aviyyah, 11 Yeshua and Shekanyah, 12 Elyashiv and Yakim, 13 Huppah and Yesheveav, 14 Bilgah and Immer, 15 Hezer and Ha-Pitstsets, 16 Patahyah and Yehezkel, 17 Yakin and Gamul, 18 Delayah and lastly, Maazyah.

19 Those were the priests selected to be leaders of the groups that would serve in Yahweh’s temple, following the instructions that Yisrael’s God Yahweh had given their ancestor Aharon.

Other Levites

20 This is a list of some of Levi’s other descendants:

• From Amram’s sons: Shuvael.
• From Shuvael’s sons: Yehdeyah.
• 21 From Rehavyah’s sons: Yishshiyah, the leader.
• 22 From the Yitsharites: Shelomot.
• From Shelomot’s sons: Yahat.
• 23 Hevron’s[fn] sons (in order): Yeriyyah, Amaryah, Yahaziel, Yekamean
• 24 From Uzziel’s sons: Mikah.
• From Mikah’s sons: Shamir.
• 25 Mkah’s younger brother: Yishshiyah.
• From Yishiyah’s sons: Zekaryah.
• 26 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi.
• Yaaziyah’s son: Beno.
• 27 Merari’s descendants through Yaaziyah: Beno, Shoham, Zakkur, and Ivri.
• 28 From Mahli: Eleazar who had no sons.
• 29 Kish’s son: Yerahme’el.
• 30 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Yerimot.

Those were the Levites listed by their ancestors’ families. 31 They too, used lots just like Aharon’s descendants (their relatives) to determine their specific duties irrespective of where they came in their families. This was done in front of King David, Tsadok and Ahimelek, the clan leaders, and the other priests and Levites.

25 Then David and the army chiefs allocated the musical service to the sons of Asaf, Heyman, and Yedutun—the ones prophesying with harps, with lyres, and with cymbals. This is a list of the men whom they chose for that work:

• 2 From Asaf’s sons: Zakkur, Yosef, Netanyah, and Asarelah. They were supervised by Asaf, who prophesied under the king’s direction.
• 3 Six from Yedutun’s family: Gedalyah, Tseri, Yeshayah, Hashavyah, and Mattityah. They were supervised by Yedutun, who prophesied with a harp, and thanked and praised Yahweh.
• 4 From Heman’s sons: Bukkiyah, Mattanyah, Uzziel, Shuvael, Yerimot, Hananyah, Hanani, Eliatah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Yoshbekashah, Malloti, Hotir, and Mahaziot. 5 They were all sons of King David’s prophet Heman who’d been promised by God that he’d strengthen him, and God gave him fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All of those served as musicians in Yahweh’s temple under their fathers’ supervision—they played cymbals, harps, and lyres. Their fathers were supervised by the king. 7 There were 288 of those men and their musical relatives who played to Yahweh. 8 They used lots to determine their duties, whether young or old, and irrespective of their musical abilities.

9 The first allocation went (in order) to:

• Asaf and his son Yosef,
• Gedalyah and his relatives and sons (a total of twelve),
• 10 Zakkur and his sons and relatives (another twelve),
• 11 Yitsri and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 12 Netanyah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 13 Bukkiyah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 14 Yesarelah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 15 Yeshayah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 16 Mattanyah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 17 Shimei and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 18 Azarel and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 19 Hashavyah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 20 Shuvael and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 21 Mattityah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 22 Yerimot and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 23 Hanayah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 24 Yoshbekashah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 25 Hanani and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 26 Malloti and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 27 Eliatah and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 28 Hotir and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 29 Giddalti and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 30 Mahaziot and his sons and relatives (twelve),
• 31 Romamti-Ezer and his sons and relatives (twelve).

26 These were the division of the gatekeepers:

• From the Korahites: Kore’s son Meshelemyah (Kore was one of Asaf’s sons),
• 2 Meshelemyah’s seven sons (in order): Zekaryah, Yediael, Zebadyah, Yatniel, 3 Eylam, Yehohanan, and Elyehoenai.
• 4 Oved-Edom’s eight sons (in order): Shemayah, Yehozavad, Yoah, Sakar, Netanel,[ref] 5 Ammiel, Yissaskar, and Peulletai. (God had blessed him.)
• 6 Oved-Edom’s son Shemayah also had sons. (They were leaders in their father’s family because they were capable warriors.) 7 Shemayah’s sons were: Otni, Refael, Oved, and Elzavad. His relatives Elihu and Semakyah were also capable men.

8 All those descendants of Oved-Edom and their sons and relatives were capable people and strong workers. Altogether there were 62 of them.

• 9 Meshelemyah had sons and relatives who were respected (eighteen in total).
• 10 Merari’s descendant Hosah’s sons: Shimri (not actually the firstborn, but his father appointed him as the first), 11 Hilkiyah, Tavalyah, and Zekaryah. (Thirteen total sons and relatives.)

12 Those men were leaders of the groups of men who guarded the gates of the temple. They worked in Yahweh’s temple like their relatives did. 13 They used lots to assign each family to a particular gate, irrespective of the family reputation. 14 Shelemyah’s group was allocated to the eastern gate, and his son Zekaryah (a wise adviser) was allocated to the northern gate. 15 Oved-Edom’s group was allocated to the southern gate, plus his sons were to guard the storehouses. 16 Shuppim’s and Hosah’s groups were allocated the western gate, along with the Shalleket gate on the uphill road with side-by-side guards. 17 Every day there were six Levites on duty in the east, four in the north, four in the south, and two at the storehouses. 18 There were four on the road by the western courtyard, and two in the courtyard. 19 Those were the groups of men who were Korah’s and Merari’s descendants who guarded the temple gates.