Study Desk

And David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David's servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and laid waste to the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.

But Joab replied, "May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?"

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king's command was detestable to him.

David answered Gad, "I am deeply distressed. Please, let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."

Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as the angel was doing so the LORD saw it and relented from the calamity, and He said to the angel who was destroying the people, "Enough, withdraw your hand now!" At that time the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave the order to count the people? I, the shepherd, am the one who has sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father's house, but do not let this plague remain upon Your people."

but David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

but this word of the LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me.

But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.

Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD-100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, but you will need to add to them.

Jahath was the first and Zizah was the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were counted as one family and received a single assignment.

The descendants of Eliezer: Rehabiah was the first. Eliezer did not have any other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.

but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God,

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.

but God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has spilled blood.'

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Then King David said to the whole assembly, "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace will not be for man, but for the LORD God.