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But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, "Do you think because David sent comforters to you that David honors your father? Is it not for the purpose of exploring so as to overthrow and spy out the land that his servants have come to you?"

And he said, "If Aram is too strong for me, then you must be a help to me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.

And it happened that in the spring time of year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led the troops of the army and destroyed the land of the Ammonites. And he came and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab struck Rabbah and destroyed it.

And he taunted Israel, but Jehonathan son of Shimea, brother of David, struck him down.

But Joab said, "May Yahweh add to the people a hundred times what they are! Are they not, O my lord the king, all of them the king's servants? Why does my lord seek this? Why would he bring guilt to Israel?"

But the word of the king prevailed over Joab. Then he went about through all Israel and came to Jerusalem.

But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the word of the king was repulsive to Joab.

But this word was displeasing in the eyes of God, and he struck Israel.

Then David said to God, "I have sinned severely in that I have done this thing. But now, please forgive the sin of your servant, for I have been very foolish."

Then David said to Gad, "I am very troubled. Let me into the hand of Yahweh, for his compassion is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of a man."

Then David said to God, "Was it not I who gave a command to count the people? Now I am he who has sinned, and I have certainly done wickedness, but these sheep, what have they done? O Yahweh, my God, please let your hand be against me and against the house of my father, but against your people, let there be no plague."

But King David said to Ornan, "No, for I will certainly buy it at full value; indeed, I will not take what is yours for Yahweh and offer burnt offerings for nothing."

But David was not able to go before it to seek God, for he was afraid on account of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.

but it happened that the word of Yahweh came over me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made much war; you shall not build a house for my name because you have shed much blood upon the ground before me.

Now see, with great effort I have made provision for the house of Yahweh: 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron that cannot be weighed, for there is an abundance. Also timber and stone I have provided, but to these you should add.

And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons. They were enrolled as one for the house of a father.

But Moses the man of God and his sons were reckoned among the tribe of Levi.

And the sons of Eliezer were Rehabiah, the head. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

And Eleazar died, and he did not have sons, but only daughters. And the sons of Kish, their relatives, married them.

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but he did not finish. But wrath came upon Israel concerning this, and the number was not included in the chronicles of King David.