1 Chronicles 1:1-16:1

Historical Records From Adam to Abraham To Noah’s Sons 1Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.

The Japhethites 5The sons Sons may mean descendants or successors or nations; also in verses 6-9, 17 and 23. of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.

6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath Many Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also Septuagint and Gen. 10:3); most Hebrew manuscripts Diphath and Togarmah.

7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites.

9The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

10Cush was the father Father may mean ancestor or predecessor or founder; also in verses 11, 13, 18 and 20. of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on earth.

11Egypt was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,

12Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came) and Caphtorites.

13Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, Or of the Sidonians, the foremost and of the Hittites, 14Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, 15Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,

16Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites.

The Semites 17The sons of Shem: Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram. The sons of Aram: One Hebrew manuscript and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 10:23); most Hebrew manuscripts do not have this line. Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

18Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.

19Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, Peleg means division. because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

20Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22Obal, Some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Gen. 10:28); most Hebrew manuscripts Ebal Abimael, Sheba,

23Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.

24Shem, Arphaxad, Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts Arphaxad, Cainan (see also note at Gen. 11:10) Shelah,

25Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26Serug, Nahor, Terah

27and Abram (that is, Abraham).

Descendants of Hagar 29These were their descendants: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

31Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

Descendants of Keturah 32The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.

33The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.

Esau’s Sons 35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also Gen. 36:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Zephi Gatam and Kenaz; by Timna: Amalek. Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:12); Hebrew Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek

37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.

The People of Seir in Edom 38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan.

39The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister.

40The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Many Hebrew manuscripts and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:23); most Hebrew manuscripts Alian Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.

41The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Many Hebrew manuscripts and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:26); most Hebrew manuscripts Hamran Eshban, Ithran and Keran.

42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. Many Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:27); most Hebrew manuscripts Zaavan, Jaakan The sons of Dishan See Gen. 36:28; Hebrew Dishon, a variant of Dishan : Uz and Aran.

The Rulers of Edom 43These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned: Bela son of Beor, whose city was named Dinhabah.

44When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.

45When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.

46When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.

47When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.

48When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river Possibly the Euphrates succeeded him as king.

49When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king.

51Hadad also died. The chiefs of Edom were: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,

Israel’s Sons 1These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,

2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

Judah To Hezron’s Sons 3The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD ’s sight; so the LORD put him to death.

4Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.

5The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

6The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol and Darda Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 1 Kings 4:31); most Hebrew manuscripts Dara —five in all.

7The son of Karmi: Achar, Achar means trouble; Achar is called Achan in Joshua. who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things. The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.

8The son of Ethan: Azariah.

9The sons born to Hezron were: Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb. Hebrew Kelubai, a variant of Caleb

From Ram Son of Hezron 10Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, the leader of the people of Judah. 11Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Septuagint (see also Ruth 4:21); Hebrew Salma Salmon the father of Boaz,

12Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse.

13Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, 14the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, 15the sixth Ozem and the seventh David. 16Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel.

17Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

Caleb Son of Hezron 18Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah (and by Jerioth). These were her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon.

20Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri the father of Bezalel. 21Later, Hezron, when he was sixty years old, married the daughter of Makir the father of Gilead. He made love to her, and she bore him Segub.

23(But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth Jair, Or captured the settlements of Jair as well as Kenath with its surrounding settlements—sixty towns.) All these were descendants of Makir the father of Gilead.

24After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah the wife of Hezron bore him Ashhur the father Father may mean civic leader or military leader; also in verses 42, 45, 49-52 and possibly elsewhere. of Tekoa.

Jerahmeel Son of Hezron 25The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron: Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Or Oren and Ozem, by Ahijah.

27The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin and Eker.

28The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur.

29Abishur’s wife was named Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.

30The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.

32The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.

33The sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.

34Sheshan had no sons—only daughters. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha.

35Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

36Attai was the father of Nathan, Nathan the father of Zabad,

37Zabad the father of Ephlal, Ephlal the father of Obed,

38Obed the father of Jehu, Jehu the father of Azariah,

39Azariah the father of Helez, Helez the father of Eleasah,

40Eleasah the father of Sismai, Sismai the father of Shallum,

41Shallum the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah the father of Elishama.

43The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema.

45The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.

47The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph. 48Caleb’s concubine Maakah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah. 49She also gave birth to Shaaph the father of Madmannah and to Sheva the father of Makbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Aksah.

51Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

52The descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim were: Haroeh, half the Manahathites,

53and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.

54The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites, 55and the clans of scribes Or of the Sopherites who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the Rekabites. Or father of Beth Rekab

2the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

3the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

5and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Hebrew Shimea, a variant of Shammua Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba One Hebrew manuscript and Vulgate (see also Septuagint and 2 Samuel 11:3); most Hebrew manuscripts Bathshua daughter of Ammiel. 6There were also Ibhar, Elishua, Two Hebrew manuscripts (see also 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chron. 14:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Elishama Eliphelet, 7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

9All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.

The Kings of Judah 10Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

11Jehoram Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

12Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,

13Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

14Amon his son, Josiah his son.

15The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second son, Zedekiah the third, Shallum the fourth.

16The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin; also in verse 17 his son, and Zedekiah.

The Royal Line After the Exile 17The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel his son,

18Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah.

19The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah. Shelomith was their sister.

20There were also five others: Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah and Jushab-Hesed.

21The descendants of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah and of Shekaniah.

22The descendants of Shekaniah: Shemaiah and his sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat—six in all.

23The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam—three in all. 24The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani—seven in all.

Other Clans of Judah 1The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur and Shobal.

2Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.

3These were the sons Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Vulgate); Hebrew father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. Their sister was named Hazzelelponi.

4Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and father Father may mean civic leader or military leader; also in verses 12, 14, 17, 18 and possibly elsewhere. of Bethlehem.

5Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.

7The sons of Helah: Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan,

8and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Hazzobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.

10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 11Kelub, Shuhah’s brother, was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.

12Eshton was the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. Or of the city of Nahash These were the men of Rekah.

13The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai. Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; Hebrew does not have and Meonothai.

14Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the father of Ge Harashim. Ge Harashim means valley of skilled workers. It was called this because its people were skilled workers.

15The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz.

16The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.

17The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives gave birth to Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18(His wife from the tribe of Judah gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soko, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.

19The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham: the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.

20The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon. The descendants of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

21The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lekah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea, 22Jokim, the men of Kozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi Lehem. (These records are from ancient times.)

23They were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah; they stayed there and worked for the king.

25Shallum was Shaul’s son, Mibsam his son and Mishma his son.

26The descendants of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zakkur his son and Shimei his son. 27Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children; so their entire clan did not become as numerous as the people of Judah. 29Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri and Shaaraim. These were their towns until the reign of David. 32Their surrounding villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Token and Ashan—five towns—

33and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath. Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Joshua 19:8); Hebrew Baal These were their settlements. And they kept a genealogical record. 34Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, 35Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36also Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

37and Ziza son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah. 38The men listed above by name were leaders of their clans. Their families increased greatly, 39and they went to the outskirts of Gedor to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. 41The men whose names were listed came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings and also the Meunites who were there and completely destroyed The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them. them, as is evident to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks.

Reuben 1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, 2and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)—

3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.

4The descendants of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

6and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser Hebrew Tilgath-Pilneser, a variant of Tiglath-Pileser; also in verse 26 king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites.

7Their relatives by clans, listed according to their genealogical records: Jeiel the chief, Zechariah,

9To the east they occupied the land up to the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in Gilead.

10During Saul’s reign they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands; they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the entire region east of Gilead.

Gad 11The Gadites lived next to them in Bashan, as far as Salekah:

12Joel was the chief, Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat, in Bashan.

13Their relatives, by families, were: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jakan, Zia and Eber—seven in all.

14These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz.

15Ahi son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their family.

16The Gadites lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its outlying villages, and on all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as they extended.

17All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel. 18The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. 19They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

22and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.

The Half-Tribe of Manasseh 23The people of the half-tribe of Manasseh were numerous; they settled in the land from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir (Mount Hermon). 24These were the heads of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel. They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. 25But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day.

Levi 1In Hebrew texts 6:1-15 is numbered 5:27-41, and 6:16-81 is numbered 6:1-66. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

3The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

4Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas the father of Abishua,

5Abishua the father of Bukki, Bukki the father of Uzzi,

6Uzzi the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah the father of Meraioth,

7Meraioth the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub,

8Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Ahimaaz,

9Ahimaaz the father of Azariah, Azariah the father of Johanan,

10Johanan the father of Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem),

11Azariah the father of Amariah, Amariah the father of Ahitub,

12Ahitub the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Shallum,

13Shallum the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah the father of Azariah,

14Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jozadak. Hebrew Jehozadak, a variant of Jozadak; also in verse 15

16The sons of Levi: Gershon, Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon; also in verses 17, 20, 43, 62 and 71 Kohath and Merari.

17These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei.

18The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers:

20Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and Jeatherai his son.

22The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,

24Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son.

25The descendants of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth,

26Elkanah his son, Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts Ahimoth 26 and Elkanah. The sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, Nahath his son,

27Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son and Samuel his son. Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Samuel 1:19,20 and 1 Chron. 6:33,34); Hebrew does not have and Samuel his son.

28The sons of Samuel: Joel Some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 1 Samuel 8:2 and 1 Chron. 6:33); Hebrew does not have Joel. the firstborn and Abijah the second son.

29The descendants of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

30Shimea his son, Haggiah his son and Asaiah his son.

The Temple Musicians 31These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there.

32They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

33Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,

34the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

35the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,

36the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,

37the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

38the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel;

41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,

42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershon, the son of Levi;

44and from their associates, the Merarites, at his left hand: Ethan son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluk,

45the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

46the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer,

47the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

49But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

51Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,

52Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

54These were the locations of their settlements allotted as their territory (they were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clan, because the first lot was for them): 55They were given Hebron in Judah with its surrounding pasturelands.

56But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh. 58Hilen, Debir, 59Ashan, Juttah Syriac (see also Septuagint and Joshua 21:16); Hebrew does not have Juttah. and Beth Shemesh, together with their pasturelands.

60And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, See Joshua 21:17; Hebrew does not have Gibeon. Geba, Alemeth and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. The total number of towns distributed among the Kohathite clans came to thirteen.

61The rest of Kohath’s descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of half the tribe of Manasseh.

62The descendants of Gershon, clan by clan, were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Naphtali, and from the part of the tribe of Manasseh that is in Bashan.

63The descendants of Merari, clan by clan, were allotted twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun. 64So the Israelites gave the Levites these towns and their pasturelands.

65From the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin they allotted the previously named towns.

66Some of the Kohathite clans were given as their territory towns from the tribe of Ephraim. 67In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge), and Gezer, See Joshua 21:21; Hebrew given the cities of refuge: Shechem, Gezer. 68Jokmeam, Beth Horon,

69Aijalon and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands.

70And from half the tribe of Manasseh the Israelites gave Aner and Bileam, together with their pasturelands, to the rest of the Kohathite clans.

71The Gershonites received the following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they received Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands;

72from the tribe of Issachar they received Kedesh, Daberath,

73Ramoth and Anem, together with their pasturelands;

74from the tribe of Asher they received Mashal, Abdon,

75Hukok and Rehob, together with their pasturelands;

76and from the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon and Kiriathaim, together with their pasturelands.

77The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they received Jokneam, Kartah, See Septuagint and Joshua 21:34; Hebrew does not have Jokneam, Kartah. Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands;

78from the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan east of Jericho they received Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah,

79Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands;

80and from the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim,

Issachar 1The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron—four in all.

2The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel—heads of their families. During the reign of David, the descendants of Tola listed as fighting men in their genealogy numbered 22,600.

3The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel and Ishiah. All five of them were chiefs.

4According to their family genealogy, they had 36,000 men ready for battle, for they had many wives and children.

5The relatives who were fighting men belonging to all the clans of Issachar, as listed in their genealogy, were 87,000 in all.

Benjamin 6Three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker and Jediael.

7The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri, heads of families—five in all. Their genealogical record listed 22,034 fighting men.

9Their genealogical record listed the heads of families and 20,200 fighting men.

10The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish and Ahishahar.

11All these sons of Jediael were heads of families. There were 17,200 fighting men ready to go out to war.

12The Shuppites and Huppites were the descendants of Ir, and the Hushites Or Ir. The sons of Dan: Hushim, (see Gen. 46:23); Hebrew does not have The sons of Dan. the descendants of Aher.

Naphtali 13The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem Some Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 46:24 and Num. 26:49); most Hebrew manuscripts Shallum —the descendants of Bilhah.

Manasseh 14The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel was his descendant through his Aramean concubine. She gave birth to Makir the father of Gilead.

15Makir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. His sister’s name was Maakah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters.

16Makir’s wife Maakah gave birth to a son and named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

18His sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer and Mahlah.

19The sons of Shemida were: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi and Aniam.

Ephraim 20The descendants of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,

21Zabad his son and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock. 22Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.

24His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon as well as Uzzen Sheerah.

25Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew does not have his son. Telah his son, Tahan his son,

26Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

29Along the borders of Manasseh were Beth Shan, Taanach, Megiddo and Dor, together with their villages. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns.

Asher 30The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah.

31The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malkiel, who was the father of Birzaith.

32Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer and Hotham and of their sister Shua.

33The sons of Japhlet: Pasak, Bimhal and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons.

34The sons of Shomer: Ahi, Rohgah, Or of his brother Shomer: Rohgah Hubbah and Aram.

35The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal.

36The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,

37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran Possibly a variant of Jether and Beera.

38The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispah and Ara.

39The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel and Rizia. 40All these were descendants of Asher—heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle, as listed in their genealogy, was 26,000.

The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite 1Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second son, Aharah the third,

2Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth.

3The sons of Bela were: Addar, Gera, Abihud, Or Gera the father of Ehud 4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,

6These were the descendants of Ehud, who were heads of families of those living in Geba and were deported to Manahath:

7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who deported them and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. 8Sons were born to Shaharaim in Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. 9By his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, 10Jeuz, Sakia and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families.

11By Hushim he had Abitub and Elpaal.

12The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages),

13and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of families of those living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. 14Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, 15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,

21Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. 22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23Abdon, Zikri, Hanan, 24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,

25Iphdeiah and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.

27Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham.

28All these were heads of families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.

29Jeiel Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 9:35); Hebrew does not have Jeiel. the father Father may mean civic leader or military leader. of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maakah, 30and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 9:36); Hebrew does not have Ner. Nadab, 31Gedor, Ahio, Zeker

32and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

33Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal. Also known as Ish-Bosheth

35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melek, Tarea and Ahaz. 36Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.

37Moza was the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son.

38Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

39The sons of his brother Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third. 40The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.

1All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

The People in Jerusalem 2Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.

3Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were:

4Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah.

5Of the Shelanites See Num. 26:20; Hebrew Shilonites. : Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.

6Of the Zerahites: Jeuel. The people from Judah numbered 690.

7Of the Benjamites: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah;

8Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, the son of Mikri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah.

9The people from Benjamin, as listed in their genealogy, numbered 956. All these men were heads of their families.

10Of the priests: Jedaiah; Jehoiarib; Jakin;

11Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God;

12Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah; and Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer.

13The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God.

14Of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a Merarite; 15Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal and Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zikri, the son of Asaph;

16Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

17The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their fellow Levites, Shallum their chief 18being stationed at the King’s Gate on the east, up to the present time. These were the gatekeepers belonging to the camp of the Levites. 20In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him.

21Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 22Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. 23They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD —the house called the tent of meeting. 24The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. 25Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. 26But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. 28Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. 29Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices. 30But some of the priests took care of mixing the spices.

32Some of the Kohathites, their fellow Levites, were in charge of preparing for every Sabbath the bread set out on the table.

33Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

34All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.

The Genealogy of Saul 35Jeiel the father Father may mean civic leader or military leader. of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maakah, 36and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth.

38Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

39Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal. Also known as Ish-Bosheth

40The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, Also known as Mephibosheth who was the father of Micah. 42Ahaz was the father of Jadah, Jadah Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (see also 8:36); most Hebrew manuscripts Jarah, Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.

43Moza was the father of Binea; Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son. 44Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

Saul Takes His Life 1Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa.

3The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him.

4Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died.

6So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

7When all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them. 8The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9They stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news among their idols and their people.

10They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon. 11When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 13Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD ; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and did not inquire of the LORD . So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

2In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ”

3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the LORD had promised through Samuel.

6David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command. 7David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. 8He built up the city around it, from the terraces Or the Millo to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city.

9And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him.

David’s Mighty Warriors 10These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the LORD had promised—

11this is the list of David’s mighty warriors: Jashobeam, Possibly a variant of Jashob-Baal a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers Or Thirty; some Septuagint manuscripts Three (see also 2 Samuel 23:8) ; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 12Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. 13He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines.

14But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory. 15Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 17David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD .

19“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors. 20Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 22Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits That is, about 7 feet 6 inches or about 2.3 meters tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors.

25He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26The mighty warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

28Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth,

29Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

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

31Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

32Hurai from the ravines of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,

36Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,

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

39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,

42Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

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

45Jediael son of Shimri, his brother Joha the Tizite, 47Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Warriors Join David 1These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle; 3Ahiezer their chief and Joash the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite, 4and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty warrior among the Thirty, who was a leader of the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, In Hebrew texts the second half of this verse (Jeremiah… Gederathite) is numbered 12:5, and 12:5-40 is numbered 12:6-41. 5Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah and Shephatiah the Haruphite; 6Elkanah, Ishiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam the Korahites;

7and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

8Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

9Ezer was the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third,

10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13Jeremiah the tenth and Makbannai the eleventh. 14These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand.

15It was they who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys, to the east and to the west. 16Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.

17David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”

18Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. 19Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.”) 20When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh.

22Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. Or a great and mighty army

Others Join David at Hebron 23These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said:

24from Judah, carrying shield and spear—6,800 armed for battle;

25from Simeon, warriors ready for battle—7,100; 26from Levi—4,600, 27including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men,

29from Benjamin, Saul’s tribe—3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to Saul’s house until then;

30from Ephraim, brave warriors, famous in their own clans—20,800;

31from half the tribe of Manasseh, designated by name to come and make David king—18,000;

32from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

33from Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty—50,000;

34from Naphtali—1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears;

35from Dan, ready for battle—28,600;

36from Asher, experienced soldiers prepared for battle—40,000;

37and from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, armed with every type of weapon—120,000. 39The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, for their families had supplied provisions for them. 40Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.

Bringing Back the Ark 1David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of Or we neglected it Or him during the reign of Saul.”

4The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. 5So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

6David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. 7They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.

8David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets. 9When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled.

10The LORD ’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

11Then David was angry because the LORD ’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah. 14The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had.

David’s House and Family 1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him.

2And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. 3In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters. 4These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

David Defeats the Philistines 8When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim;

10so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.” 11So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out. 14so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”

16So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem 1After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

2Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever.” 3David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.

4He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:

6from the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;

7from the descendants of Gershon, Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon Joel the leader and 130 relatives;

8from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;

9from the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;

10from the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives. 11Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 14So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

15And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD .

16David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. 17So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;

18and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah, Three Hebrew manuscripts and most Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 20 and 16:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Zechariah son and or Zechariah, Ben and Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, Hebrew; Septuagint (see also verse 21) Jeiel and Azaziah the gatekeepers. 19The musicians Heman, Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20Zechariah, Jaaziel, See verse 18; Hebrew Aziel, a variant of Jaaziel. Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth, Probably a musical term 21and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith. Probably a musical term

22Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it. 23Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark.

24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark. 25So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. 27Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.

28So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. 29As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

Ministering Before the Ark 1They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.