Study Desk

From Dan there were 28,600 men prepared for battle.

From Asher there were 40,000 warriors prepared for battle.

They spent three days feasting there with David, for their relatives had given them provisions.

Also their neighbors, from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There were large supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, beef, and lamb, for Israel was celebrating.

Let's move the ark of our God back here, for we did not seek his will throughout Saul's reign."

The whole assembly agreed to do this, for the proposal seemed right to all the people.

The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom's house for three months; the Lord blessed Obed-Edom's family and everything that belonged to him.

King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.

David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack. For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."

David constructed buildings in the City of David; he then prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

Then David said, "Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before him perpetually."

David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared for it.

He told them: "You are the leaders of the Levites' families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it.

Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in charge of transport, for he was well-informed on this matter;

They brought the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

He let no one oppress them, he disciplined kings for their sake,

For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise, he is more awesome than all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are worthless, but the Lord made the heavens.

Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy before the Lord , for he comes to judge the earth!