29 From Benjamin's descendants, Saul's relatives, there were 3,000 men, though most of them remained loyal to Saul's family. 30 From Ephraim's descendants there were 20,800 warriors who were famous among their families.

31 From half of the tribe of Manasseh there were 18,000 who had been designated by name to make David king.

32 From Issachar's descendants there were 200 leaders who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Their relatives were under their command.

33 From Zebulun there were 50,000 experienced soldiers. They were equipped for battle with every kind of weapon. Their loyalty was unquestioned.a 34 From Naphtali there were 1,000 commanders. With them were 37,000 who fought with shields and spears.

35 From Dan there were 28,600 ready for battle.

36 From Asher there were 40,000 experienced soldiers ready for battle.

37 From the east side of the Jordan River, from Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 soldiers ready to fight with all kinds of weapons.

38 All of these soldiers, who were prepared for battle, came with a single purpose to Hebron-to make David king of all Israel. The rest of Israel also had agreed to make David king. 39 They ate and drank with David for three days because their relatives in Judah had provided enough for them. 40 Also, their neighbors as far as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep, because Israel was celebrating.

David Has the Ark Brought to Obed Edom's House-2 Samuel 6:1-11 13 1 David consulted with every officer who commanded a regiment or battalion. 2 Then he told the whole assembly of Israel, "If you approve and if Yahweh our Elohim has consented,a we will send an invitation to the rest of our relatives in every region of Israel and to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands so that they may join us. 3 Then we'll bring back our Elohim's ark, which we ignored while Saul was king."

4 The whole assembly agreed to this because the people considered it the right thing to do. 5 So David gathered all Israel from the Shihor River near Egypt to the border of Hamath in order to bring Elohim's ark from Kiriath Jearim.

6 David and all Israel went to Baalah in Kiriath Jearim, which is in Judah, to bring Elohim's ark to Jerusalem. (Yahweh is enthroned over the angelsb on the ark where his name is used.) 7 David and his men put Elohim's ark on a new cart from Abinadab's home. Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart. 8 David and all Israel were celebrating in Elohim's presence with all their might, with songs, with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

9 But when they came to Chidon's threshing floor,c the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out to grab the ark. 10 Yahweh became angry with Uzzah and killed him for reaching for the ark. He died in Elohim's presence.

11 David was angry because Yahweh had struck Uzzah so violently. (That place is still called Perez Uzzah [The Striking of Uzzah] today.) 12 David was afraid of Elohim that day. "How can I bring Elohim's ark to my city?" he asked. 13 So he didn't bring God's ark to his home, the City of David. Instead, he rerouted it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath. 14 Elohim's ark stayed at the home of Obed Edom with his family for three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed Edom's family and everything he owned.

David's Palace, Wives, and Children in Jerusalem-2 Samuel 5:11-16 14 1 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedarwood, masons, and carpenters to build a palace for David. 2 So David realized that Yahweh had established him as king of Israel and that his kingdom was made famous for the sake of Israel, Yahweh's people.

3 David married more wives in Jerusalem and fathered more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines-2 Samuel 5:17-25 8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, all of them came to attack David. But David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 The Philistines had come and raided the valley of Rephaim.

10 David asked Elohim, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?"

Yahweh answered him, 'Attack! I will hand them over to you."

11 So David and his men attacked and defeated the Philistines at Baal Perazim. David said, "Using my power like an overwhelming flood, Elohim has overwhelmed my enemies." That is why they call that place Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms]. 12 The Philistines left their gods there, so David ordered that the gods be burned.

13 The Philistines again raided the valley. 14 Once more David asked Elohim.

Elohim answered him, "Don't go after them. Circle around, and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 15 As you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out and fight because Elohim has gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army."

16 David did as Elohim ordered him, and his men defeated the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 David's fame spread through all lands, and Yahweh made all the nations fear him.

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem-2 Samuel 6:12-19a 15 1 After David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for Elohim's ark and set up a tent for it. 2 Then David insisted that only the Levites carry Elohim's ark because Yahweh had chosen them to carry Yahweh's ark and to serve him forever.

3 David called together all Israel at Jerusalem to bring Yahweh's ark to the place he had prepared for it. 4 David also called together Aaron's descendants and the Levites. 5 Leading Kohath's descendants was Uriel, who came with 120 of his relatives. 6 Leading Merari's descendants was Asaiah, who came with 220 of his relatives. 7 Leading Gershom's descendants was Joel, who came with 130 of his relatives. 8 Leading Elizaphan's descendants was Shemaiah, who came with 200 of his relatives. 9 Leading Hebron's descendants was Eliel, who came with 80 of his relatives. 10 Leading Uzziel's descendants was Amminadab, who came with 112 of his relatives.

11 David called for the priests Zadok and Abiathar and for the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy. Then bring the ark of Yahweh Elohim of Israel to the place I prepared for it. 13 Because you weren't there the first time, Yahweh our Elohim struck us. We hadn't dedicated our lives to serving him in the way he designated."

14 So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy in order to move the ark of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 15 The Levites carried Elohim's ark on their shoulders. They used poles as Moses had commanded according to Yahweh's instructions.

16 David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their relatives to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman, son of Joel, and from his relatives they appointed Asaph, Berechiah's son. From their own relatives, Merari's descendants, they appointed Ethan, son of Kushaiah. 18 In addition, they appointed their relatives from the second division: Zechariah,aJaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah. Obed Edom and Jeiel were appointed gatekeepers. 19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were appointed to play harps according to alamoth.a 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were appointed to play lyres and to conduct the sheminith.b 22 Chenaniah, a Levite leader, instructed others how to sing prophetic songs because he was skilled at it. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew trumpets in front of Elohim's ark. Obed Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David, the leaders of Israel, and the army's commanders joyfully went to get the ark of Yathweh's promise from Obed Edom's house. 26 Because Elohim helped the Levites who carried the ark of Yahweh's promise, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was dressed in a fine linen robe, as were all the Levites who carried the ark, the Levites who were singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the musicians' prophetic songs. David also wore a linen ephod.c 28 All Israel brought the ark of Yahweh's promise with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams' horns, trumpets, cymbals, harps, and lyres. 29 When the ark of Yahweh's promise came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, so she despised him.

16 1 The men carrying the ark set it inside the tent David had put up for it. They presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Elohim's presence. 2 When David had finished sacrificing burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. 3 He also distributed to every person in Israel-both men and women-a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

The Levites Lead the Worship in Jerusalem-2 Samuel 6:19b-20a; Psalm 96:1-13; 105:1-15; 106:1, 47-48 4 David appointed some Levites to serve in front of Yahweh's ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 5 Asaph was the head; Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel with harps and lyres. Asaph played the cymbals. 6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played trumpets all the time in front of the ark of Elohim's promise. 7 For the first time David entrusted Asaph and his relatives with the task of singing songs of thanks to Yahweh: 8 "Give thanks to Yahweh.

Call on his name.

Make known among the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him.

Make music to praise him.

Meditate on all the miracles he has done.

10 Brag about his holy name.

Let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.

11 Search for Yahweh and his strength.

Always seek his presence.

12 Remember the miracles he performed, the amazing things he did and the judgments he pronounced, 13 you descendants of Israel, his servant, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14 "He is Yahweh our Elohim.

His judgments are pronounced throughout the earth.

15 Remember his promisea forever, the word that he commanded for a thousand generations, 16 the promise that he made to Abraham, and his sworn promise to Isaac.

17 He confirmed it as a law for Jacob, as an everlasting promise to Israel, 18 by saying, 'I will give you Canaan.

It is your share of the inheritance.'

19 "While they were few in number, a small group of foreigners living in that land, 20 they wandered from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another.

21 He didn't permit anyone to oppress them.

He warned kings about them: 22 'Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets.'

23 "Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!

Day after day announce that Yahweh saves his people.

24 Tell people about his glory.

Tell all the nations about his miracles.

25 "Yahweh is great!

He should be highly praised.

He should be feared more than all other gods 26 because all the gods of the nations are idols.

Yahweh made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are in his presence.

Strength and joy are where he is.

28 "Give to Yahweh, you families of the nations.

Give to Yahweh glory and power.

29 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.

Bring an offering, and come to him.

Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.

30 Tremble in his presence, all the earth!

"The earth stands firm; it cannot be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.

Say to the nations, 'Yahweh rules as king!'

32 Let the sea and everything in it roar like thunder.

Let the fields and everything in them rejoice.

33 Then the trees in the forest will sing with joy in the presence of Yahweh when he comes to judge the earth.

34 "Give thanks to Yahweh because he is good, because his mercy endures forever.

35 Say, 'Rescue us, O Elohim our Savior.

Gather us and save us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and make your praise our glory.'

36 Thanks be to Yahweh Elohim of Israel from everlasting to everlasting."

Then all the people said amen and praised Yahweh.

37 David left Asaph and his relatives to serve continually in front of the ark of Yahweh's promise, as the daily work required. 38 David also left Obed Edom and 68 of his relatives to serve there. Obed Edom (Jeduthun's son) and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. 39 David left Zadok and his priestly relatives to serve in Yahweh's tent at the place of worship in Gibeon. 40 They were ordered to sacrifice burnt offerings to Yahweh. This happened on the altar of burnt offerings continually, morning and evening, as written in Yahweh's Teachings that he gave Israel. 41 With Zadok and his relatives were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of the Levites who had been selected, chosen by name, to give thanks to Yahweh by singing, "His mercy endures forever." 42 Also, Heman and Jeduthun played trumpets, cymbals, and the other musical instruments that accompany sacred songs. Jeduthun's sons were stationed at the gate.

43 Then all the people went home. David went back to bless his family.

David's Wish to Build a House for God-2 Samuel 7:1-29 17 1 When David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan, "I'm living in a house made of cedar, while the ark of Yahweh's promise is inside a tent."

2 Nathan told David, "Do everything you have in mind, because Elohim is with you."

3 But that same night Elohim spoke his word to Nathan: 4 "Say to David, my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: You must not build this house for me to live in. 5 I haven't lived in a house from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I've gone from tent site to tent site, moving the tent of meeting from one location to another. 6 In all the places I've moved with all Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges of Israel whom I ordered to be shepherds of my people why they didn't build me a house of cedar?'

7 "Now this is what you will say to my servant David: 'This is what Yahweh Tsebaoth says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel. 8 I was with you wherever you went, and I destroyed all your enemies in front of you. I will make your name like the names of the greatest people on earth. 9 I will make a place for my people Israel and plant them there. They will live in their own place and not be troubled anymore. The wicked will no longer frighten them as they used to do 10 ever since I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. I will crush all your enemies. I even tell you that I, Yahweh, will build a house for you.

11 "'When the time comes for you to go and be with your ancestors, I will send one of your descendants. He will be one of your sons. I will establish his kingdom. 12 He will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his Ab , and he will be my Son. And I will never stop showing him my love as I did to your predecessor. 14 I will place him in my royal house forever, and his throne will be established forever.'"

15 Nathan told David all these words and everything he had seen.

16 Then King David went into the tent and sat in front of Yahweh. "Who am I, Yahweh Elohim," he asked, "and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far? 17 And this you consider to be a small act, Elohim. You've spoken about the distant future of my house. Yahweh Elohim , you've shown me the generation of the great man.a 18 "What more can I do for you in light of the honor you have given to me and since you know me so well! 19 Yahweh, you've done this great thing for my sake and your own desire. You made this great thing known to me.

20 "Yahweh, there is no one like you, and there is no other god except you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21 Who is like your people Israel? It is the one nation on earth that Elohim came to free in order to make its people his own, to make your name known, and to do great and wonderful things for them. You forced the nations and their gods out of the way of your people, whom you freed from Egypt. 22 You made the people of Israel to be your people forever. And you, Yahweh, became their Elohim.

23 "Now, Yahweh, faithfully keep the promise you made to me and my house forever. Do as you promised. 24 Your name will endure and be respected forever when people say, 'Yahweh Tsebaoth , the Elohim of Israel, is Israel's Elohim.' And the house of David, your servant, will be established in your presence. 25 You, my Elohim, have revealed especially to me that you will build me a house. That is why I have found the courage to pray to you.

26 "Yahweh, you are Elohim . You promised me this good thing. 27 Now, you were pleased to bless my house so that it may continue in your presence forever. Indeed, you, Yahweh , have blessed it. It will be blessed forever."

David's Successes-2 Samuel 8:1-18 18 1 After this, David defeated and crushed the Philistines. He took Gath and its surrounding villages from them.

2 He also defeated Moab, and the Moabites became David's subjects and paid taxes to him.

3 When David went to establish his control over the territory along the Euphrates River, he defeated King Hadadezer at Hamath. 4 David took 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him. David also disabled all but 100 of their horses so that they couldn't pull chariots.

5 When the Arameans from Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of them. 6 David put troops in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became his subjects and paid taxes to him. Everywhere David went, Yahweh gave him victories.

7 David took the gold shields that Hadadezer's servants carried, and he brought them to Jerusalem. 8 David also took a large quantity of bronze from Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer's cities. (Later Solomon used it to make the pool, pillars, and utensils for the temple.) 9 When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Zobah's King Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and congratulate him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer. (There had often been war between Hadadezer and Tou.) 11 King David dedicated all the articles of gold, silver, and bronze to Yahweh, along with the silver and gold he had taken from other nations-from Edom, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek.

12 Zeruiah's son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Dead Sea region. 13 He put troops in Edom, and all its people became David's subjects. Everywhere David went, Yahweh gave him victories.

14 So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people. 15 Zeruiah's son Joab was in charge of the army. Ahilud's son Jehoshaphat was the royal historian. 16 Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Abimelecha were priests. Shavsha was the royal scribe. 17 Jehoiada's son Benaiah was commander of the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And David's sons were his main officials.

David Defeats Ammon and Aram-2 Samuel 10:1-19 19 1 Later King Nahash of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place. 2 David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun because his father Nahash showed me kindness." So David sent messengers to comfort Hanun after his father's death. But when David's servants entered Ammonite territory to comfort Hanun, 3 the Ammonite princes asked Hanun, "Do you think David is honoring your father because he sent men to comfort you? Haven't his servants come to explore, destroy, and spy on the country?" 4 So Hanun took David's men, shaved them, cut off their clothes from the waist down, and sent them away.

5 After people told David what had happened to the men, he sent someone to meet them because they were deeply humiliated. The king said to them, "Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return to Jerusalem."

6 The Ammonites realized that they had made themselves offensive to David. So Hanun and the Ammonites sent 75,000 pounds of silver to hire chariots and horses from the Arameans in Upper Mesopotamia, Maacah, and Zobah. 7 They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army. They camped near Medeba. The Ammonites gathered for the battle from their cities.

8 After David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the elite troops. 9 The Ammonites formed a battle line at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the kings who had come remained by themselves in the open country.

10 When Joab saw he was under attack in front and behind, he took the select troops of Israel and organized them for combat against the Arameans. 11 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the troops. They organized for combat against the Ammonites.

12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for my troops, be ready to help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for your troops, I'll help you. 13 Be strong! Let's prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our Elohim , and Yahweh will do what he considers right."