1 Chronicles 26; 1 Chronicles 27; 1 Chronicles 28; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalms 127

1 The divisions of the gatekeepers: from the Korahites: Meshelemiah, Kore's son, one of Ebiasaph's family.

2 Meshelemiah's family: Zechariah the oldest, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.

4 Obed-edom's family: Shemaiah the oldest, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. God truly blessed him.

6 To his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their household, because they were valiant men.

7 Shemaiah's family: Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, and his relatives, Elihu and Semachiah, who were valiant men.

8 All these were members of Obed-edom's family, they, their sons, and their relatives. They were valiant and strong in their service, 62 men belonging to Obed-edom.

9 Meshelemiah's family and relatives, valiant men, numbered 18.

10 Hosah, one of Merari's family, also had a family: Shimri the first (though he wasn't the oldest, his father gave him that status),

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All of Hosah's family and relatives numbered 13.

12 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers with their leaders, who were responsible to minister in the LORD's temple, along with their relatives.

13 They cast lots for each gate in the same way, whether their household was small or large.

14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot indicated the North Gate.

15 Obed-edom was assigned the South Gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses.

16 Hosah was assigned the West Gate, that is, the chamber gate on the upper road. The guards had the same task:

17 each day the East had six, the North four, and the South four, with two at each of the storehouses.

18 At the courtyard on the West, there were four at the road and two at the courtyard.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from Korah's family and Merari's family.

20 Their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of God's temple and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts:

21 from Ladan's family, the family of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, and the heads of the households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.

22 Jehieli's family: Zetham and Joel his brother were in charge of the treasuries of the LORD's temple.

23 From the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites:

24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom, Moses' son, was the chief officer in charge of the treasuries.

25 His relatives through Eliezer included his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth.

26 This Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the gifts dedicated by King David, by the household leaders, by the commanders of the units of a thousand and a hundred, and by the army officers.

27 They had dedicated some of the valuable objects won in battle to repair the LORD's temple.

28 Everything that was dedicated by Samuel the seer, as well as by Saul, Kish's son; Abner, Ner's son; and Joab, Zeruiah's son—in fact, anything that had been dedicated—was under the supervision of Shelomoth and his relatives.

29 From the Izharites: Chenaniah and his family had responsibilities over Israel outside the temple as officials and judges.

30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were put in charge of Israel west of the Jordan concerning all of the LORD's affairs and the king's service.

31 From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites according to the family records of their households. In the fortieth year of David's rule, a search was made and capable men were found among them in Jazer in Gilead.

32 Jerijah's relatives, capable men, were 2,700 heads of households. King David put them in charge of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh concerning all of God's and the king's affairs.

1 This is the list of the Israelites, the heads of households, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and their officers. They served the king in every way their divisions required, and they were on duty for a month at a time through all the months of the year. Each division numbered 24,000.

2 In charge of the first division for the first month was Jashobeam, Zabdiel's son. His division numbered 24,000.

3 He was a Perezite and the head of all the army officers for the first month.

4 In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite. His division numbered 24,000.

5 The third army commander for the third month was Benaiah the chief priest Jehoiada's son. His division numbered 24,000.

6 This Benaiah was a warrior of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. In command of his division was his son Ammizabad.

7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel, Joab's brother, and after him his son Zebadiah. His division numbered 24,000.

8 The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shammoth the Zerahite. His division numbered 24,000.

9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the Tekoite Ikkesh's son. His division numbered 24,000.

10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite from Ephraim's family. His division numbered 24,000.

11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.

12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer of Annathoth from the Benjaminites. His division numbered 24,000.

13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.

14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite from Ephraim's family. His division numbered 24,000.

15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite from Othniel. His division numbered 24,000.

16 In charge of the tribes of Israel: for the Reubenites—the leader was Eliezer, Zichri's son; for the Simeonites—Shephatiah, Maacah's son;

17 for the Levites—Hashabiah, Kemuel's son; for Aaron—Zadok;

18 for Judah—Eliab, one of David's relatives; for Issachar—Omri, Michael's son;

19 for Zebulun—Ishmaiah, Obadiah's son; for Naphtali—Jerimoth, Azriel's son;

20 for the Ephraimites—Hoshea, Azaziah's son; for half the tribe of Manasseh—Joel, Pedaiah's son;

21 for half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead—Iddo, Zechariah's son; for Benjamin—Jaasiel, Abner's son;

22 for Dan—Azarel, Jeroham's son. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 But David didn't count those younger than 20 years of age, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.

24 Joab, Zeruiah's son, began to count them, but he never finished. Since Israel experienced wrath because of this, the number wasn't entered into the official records of King David.

25 In charge of the king's treasuries—Azmaveth, Adiel's son; in charge of the treasuries in the country, cities, villages, and towers—Jonathan, Uzziah's son;

26 in charge of agricultural workers cultivating the fertile land—Ezri, Chelub's son;

27 in charge of the vineyards—Shimei the Ramathite; in charge of the vineyard's produce for the wine cellars—Zabdi the Shiphmite;

28 in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the western foothills—Baal-hanan the Gederite; in charge of the stores of oil—Joash;

29 in charge of the cattle that grazed in Sharon—Shitrai the Sharonite; in charge of the cattle in the valleys—Shaphat, Adlai's son;

30 in charge of the camels—Obil the Ishmaelite; in charge of the female donkeys—Jehdeiah the Meronothite;

31 in charge of the flocks of sheep and goats—Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were stewards of King David's property.

32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel, Hachmoni's son, took care of the king's sons.

33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's political advisor.

34 After Ahithophel came Benaiah's son Jehoiada, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.

1 David assembled all of Israel's leaders in Jerusalem, the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, the officials in charge of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, as well as the officers, warriors, and all the valiant men.

2 Then King David stood up and said: Listen to me, my relatives and my people. I wanted to build a temple as the permanent home for the chest containing the LORD's covenant, our God's footrest. But when I prepared to build it,

3 God said to me, You must not build a temple for my name, because you are a military man and you've shed blood.

4 The LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole household to become king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and within Judah's family, my household, and among my father's family he was pleased with me, making me king over all Israel.

5 And from all the many sons the LORD has given me, he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD's kingdom over Israel.

6 He said to me: Your son Solomon will build my temple and my courtyards, for I've chosen him to become my son even as I myself will become his father.

7 I'll establish his kingdom forever if he remains committed to keeping my commands and case laws as he does now.

8 So now, in the presence of all the LORD's assembly and with God as our witness, carefully observe all the commands of the LORD your God, so that you may hold on to this good land and pass it on to your children forever.

9 As for you, Solomon, my son, acknowledge your father's God and serve him with enthusiastic devotion, because the LORD searches every mind and understands the motive behind every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

10 Now then, since the LORD has chosen you to build a temple for him as the sanctuary, work hard.

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plan for the entrance hall, its buildings, treasuries, upper and inner rooms, and the room for the cover.

12 He provided all of the plans he had in mind: for the courtyards of the LORD's temple, and for all its surrounding rooms where the treasures of God's temple and the dedicated gifts would be stored;

13 for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all their responsibilities within the LORD's temple, and for all the equipment used in its service;

14 for the weight of all the gold equipment used for every kind of service, and the weight of all the silver equipment used for every kind of service;

15 for the weight of the gold lampstands and their gold lamps—the weight of gold for each lampstand with its lamps—and for the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps depending on how each would be used;

16 for the weight of gold for each table with the stacks of bread, and the silver for the silver tables;

17 for the forks, bowls, and cups of pure gold; for the weight of each gold dish and the weight of each silver dish;

18 for the weight of the incense altar made of refined gold; and for the construction of the chariot—with the gold winged creatures spreading their wings and covering the chest containing the LORD's covenant.

19 All of this the LORD made clear to David directly in a document, including the plan for all of the work.

20 "Be strong and courageous," David said to his son Solomon. "Get to work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD God, my God, is with you. He'll neither let you down nor leave you before all the work for the service of the LORD's temple is done.

21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites who will perform all the service of God's temple. For all this work you will have willing and able workers with you to do it. The officials and all the people are ready to follow your instructions."

1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: My son Solomon, the one whom God chose, is too inexperienced for this great task, since this temple won't be for humans but for the LORD God.

2 Using every resource at my disposal, I've provided everything for my God's temple: gold for gold objects, silver for silver objects, bronze for bronze objects, iron for iron objects, lumber for wooden objects, carnelian stones for settings, antimony, colorful stones, every kind of precious stone, and a large amount of marble.

3 What's more, because of my delight in my God's temple, I have dedicated my own private treasure of gold and silver to my God's temple, in addition to all that I've provided for the holy temple:

4 three thousand kikkars of gold from the gold of Ophir, seven thousand kikkars of refined silver for covering the walls of the rooms,

5 gold for gold objects, and silver for silver objects, to be used for everything the skilled workers will make. Who else, then, will volunteer, dedicating themselves to the LORD today?

6 Then the leaders of the households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of the units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king's work volunteered

7 to give five thousand kikkars and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand kikkars of silver, eighteen thousand kikkars of bronze, and one hundred thousand kikkars of iron for the work on God's temple.

8 Anyone who had precious stones donated them to the treasury of the LORD's temple under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9 The people rejoiced at this response, because they had presented their offerings to the LORD so willingly and wholeheartedly. King David also rejoiced greatly.

10 Then David blessed the LORD before the whole assembly: Blessed are you, LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, forever and always.

11 To you, LORD, belong greatness and power, honor, splendor, and majesty, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingship, and you are honored as head of all.

12 You are the source of wealth and honor, and you rule over all. In your hand are strength and might, and it is in your power to magnify and strengthen all.

13 And now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.

14 Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? Since everything comes from you, we have given you that which comes from your own hand.

15 To be sure, we are like all our ancestors, immigrants without permanent homes. Our days are like a shadow on the ground, and there's no hope.

16 LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build you a temple for your holy name comes from your hand and belongs to you.

17 Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, I have freely given all these things with the highest of motives. And now I've been delighted to see your people here offering so willingly to you.

18 LORD, God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep these thoughts in the mind of your people forever, and direct their hearts toward you.

19 As for Solomon my son, give him the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, laws, and regulations—observing all of them—and to build the temple that I have prepared.

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, "Bless the LORD your God," and the whole assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their ancestors, bowed down, and worshipped before the LORD and the king.

21 On the very next day they offered sacrifices and entirely burned offerings to the LORD—a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings—and many other sacrifices for all Israel's sake.

22 They ate and drank with great joy before the LORD that day and made David's son Solomon the king. They anointed him in the LORD's presence as prince, and Zadok as priest.

23 Thus Solomon sat on the LORD's throne as king, succeeding his father David, and he prospered. All Israel obeyed him,

24 and all the commanders and warriors, as well as all of King David's sons, submitted to King Solomon's authority.

25 Moreover, the LORD magnified Solomon before all Israel, giving him such royal majesty as no king before him had enjoyed.

26 David, Jesse's son, was king over all Israel.

27 He reigned over Israel for forty years: seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.

28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed a full life, wealth, and honor; and his son Solomon followed him as king.

29 The account of King David from beginning to end is written in the records of Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the visionary,

30 including everything concerning his powerful rule, and what happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms in other lands.

1 Unless it is the LORD who builds the house, the builders' work is pointless. Unless it is the LORD who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.

2 It is pointless that you get up early and stay up late, eating the bread of hard labor because God gives sleep to those he loves.

3 No doubt about it: children are a gift from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.

4 The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

5 The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy! They won't be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.