Study Desk

I will confirm him as king over my house and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.'"

For the sake of your servant, O Lord , and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known.

What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way.

"O my God, I have been bold enough to pray to you because you have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him—a dynasty of kings!

For you are God, O Lord . And you have promised these good things to your servant.

And now, it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, so that it will continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing, O Lord , it is an eternal blessing!"

David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots.

he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze.

So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.

When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, "Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back." For they felt deep shame because of their appearance.

"If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me," Joab told his brother. "And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you.

Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord 's will be done."

The Arameans now realized that they were no match for Israel, so they sent messengers and summoned additional Aramean troops from the other side of the Euphrates River. These troops were under the command of Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer's forces.

God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.

Then David said to God, "I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing."

"I'm in a desperate situation!" David replied to Gad. "But let me fall into the hands of the Lord , for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

And David said to God, "I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people."

"Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish," Araunah said to David. "I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, and the threshing boards for wood to build a fire on the altar, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give it all to you."

But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord . I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!"

So David gave Araunah 600 pieces of gold in payment for the threshing floor.