14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.

And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.

11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.

17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

15 And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:

Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

10 Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.

11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.

19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;

21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.

22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.

28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

14 1 Hiram sendeth wood and workmen to David. 4 The names of his children. 8, 14 By the counsel of God he goeth against the Philistines, and overcometh them. 15 God fighteth for him.

Then (A)sent Hiram the King of [a]Tyre messengers to David, and Cedar trees, with masons and carpenters to build him an house.

Therefore David knew that the Lord had confirmed him King over Israel, and that his kingdom was lift up on high, because of his [b]people Israel.

¶ Also David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David begat more sons and daughters.

And these are the names of the children which he had at Jerusalem, Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

And Ibhar, and Elishua, and [c]Elpelet,

And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

And Elishama, and [d]Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

But when the Philistines heard that David was anointed King over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David. And when David heard, he went out against them.

And the Philistines came, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

10 Then David asked counsel at God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up: for I will deliver them into thine hand.

11 So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David smote them there: and David said, God hath divided mine enemies with mine hand, as waters are divided: therefore they called the name of that place, [e]Baal Perazim.

12 And there they had left their gods: and David said, Let them even be burnt with fire.

13 Again the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley.

14 And when David asked again counsel at God, God said to him, Thou shalt not go up after them, but turn away from them, that thou mayest come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

15 And when thou hearest the noise of one going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

16 So David did as God had commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

17 And the fame of David went out into all lands: and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

15 1 David prepareth an house for the Ark. 4 The number and order of the Levites. 16 The singers are chosen out among them. 25 They bring again the Ark with joy. 29 David dancing before it is despised of his wife Michal.

And David made him houses in the [f]city of David, and prepared a place for the Ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

Then David said, (B)None ought to carry the Ark of God, but the Levites: for the Lord hath chosen them to bear the Ark of the Lord, and to minister unto him forever.

¶ And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem to bring up the [g]Ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had ordained for it.

And David assembled the sons of Aaron, and the Levites.

Of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his [h]brethren six score.

Of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty.

Of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty.

Of the sons of [i]Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred.

Of the sons of [j]Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore.

10 Of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.

11 ¶ And David called Zadok and Abiathar the Priests, and of the Levites, Uriel, Asaiah and Joel, Shemaiah and Eliel, and Amminadab.

12 And he said unto them, Ye are the chief fathers of the Levites: [k]sanctify yourselves, and your brethren, and bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

13 For (C)because ye were not there at the first, the Lord our God made a breach among us: for we sought him not after due [l]order.

14 So the Priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15 ¶ And the sons of the Levites bare the Ark of God upon their shoulders with the bars as Moses had commanded, (D)according to the word of the Lord,

16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites, that they should appoint certain of their brethren to sing with [m]instruments of music, with viols and harps, and cymbals, that they might make a sound, and lift up their voice with joy.

17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel, and of his brethren Asaph the son of Berechiah, and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah,

18 And with them their brethren in the [n]second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel the porters.

19 So Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were singers to make a sound with cymbals of brass,

20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah with viols on [o]Alamoth,

21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps upon [p]Sheminith Jenazzeah.

22 But Chenaniah the chief of the Levites had the [q]charge bearing the burden in the charge, for he was able to instruct.

23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were porters for the Ark.

24 And Shebaniah, and Joshaphat and Nethanel and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer the Priests did blow with trumpets before the Ark of God, and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were porters [r]for the Ark.

25 (E)So David and the Elders of Israel and the captains of thousands went to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.

26 And because that God [s]helped the Levites that bare the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, they offered [t]seven bullocks and seven rams.

27 And David had on him a linen garment, as all the Levites that bare the Ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah that had the chief charge of the singers: and upon David was a linen [u]Ephod.

28 Thus all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s covenant with shouting, and sound of cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a sound with viols and with harps.

29 And when the Ark of the [v]covenant of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at a window, and saw king David dancing and playing, and (F)she despised him in her heart.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:1 Hebrew, Zor.
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:2 Because of God’s promise made to the people of Israel.
  3. 1 Chronicles 14:5 Elpelet and Nogah are not mentioned, 2 Sam. 5:14, so there are but eleven, and here thirteen.
  4. 1 Chronicles 14:7 Or, Eliada.
  5. 1 Chronicles 14:11 That is, the valley of divisions, because the enemies were dispersed there like waters.
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:1 That was in the place of the city, called Zion, 2 Sam. 5:7, 9.
  7. 1 Chronicles 15:3 From the house of Obed-Edom, 2 Sam. 6:10, 12.
  8. 1 Chronicles 15:5 Or, kinsmen.
  9. 1 Chronicles 15:8 Who was the son of Uzziel, the fourth son of Kohath, Exod. 6:18, 22; Num. 3:30.
  10. 1 Chronicles 15:9 The third son of Kohath, Exod. 6:18.
  11. 1 Chronicles 15:12 Prepare yourselves and be pure, abstain from all things whereby ye might be polluted, and so not able to come to the Tabernacle.
  12. 1 Chronicles 15:13 According as he hath appointed in the law.
  13. 1 Chronicles 15:16 These instruments and other ceremonies, which they observed, were instructions of their infancy, which continued to the coming of Christ.
  14. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Which were inferior in dignity.
  15. 1 Chronicles 15:20 This was an instrument of music, or a certain tune, whereunto they accustomed to sing Psalms.
  16. 1 Chronicles 15:21 Which was the eighth tune, over the which he that was most excellent had charge.
  17. 1 Chronicles 15:22 To wit, to appoint Psalms, and songs to them that sung.
  18. 1 Chronicles 15:24 With Berechiah and Elkanah, verse 23.
  19. 1 Chronicles 15:26 That is, gave them strength to execute their office.
  20. 1 Chronicles 15:26 Besides the bullock and the fat beast which David offered at every sixth pace, 2 Sam. 6:13.
  21. 1 Chronicles 15:27 Read 2 Sam. 6:14.
  22. 1 Chronicles 15:29 It was so called because it put the Israelites in remembrance of the Lord’s covenant made with them.

David’s House and Family(A)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.

In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(D) and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there:(E) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(F)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(G) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(H) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(I) and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(J) them in the fire.(K)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(L) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(M) to Gezer.(N)

17 So David’s fame(O) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(P) him.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(Q)

15 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared(R) a place for the ark of God and pitched(S) a tent for it. Then David said, “No one but the Levites(T) may carry(U) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister(V) before him forever.”

David assembled all Israel(W) in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:(X)

From the descendants of Kohath,

Uriel(Y) the leader and 120 relatives;

from the descendants of Merari,

Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;

from the descendants of Gershon,[c]

Joel the leader and 130 relatives;

from the descendants of Elizaphan,(Z)

Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;

from the descendants of Hebron,(AA)

Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;

10 from the descendants of Uzziel,

Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.

11 Then David summoned Zadok(AB) and Abiathar(AC) the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate(AD) yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites,(AE) did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us.(AF) We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.(AG) 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded(AH) in accordance with the word of the Lord.(AI)

16 David(AJ) told the leaders of the Levites(AK) to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians(AL) to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.(AM)

17 So the Levites appointed Heman(AN) son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph(AO) son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites,(AP) Ethan son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah,[d] Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom(AQ) and Jeiel,[e] the gatekeepers.

19 The musicians Heman,(AR) Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel,[f] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth,[g] 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith.[h] 22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

23 Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets(AS) before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark(AT) of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams(AU) were sacrificed. 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.(AV) 28 So all Israel(AW) brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts,(AX) with the sounding of rams’ horns(AY) and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
  3. 1 Chronicles 15:7 Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon
  4. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Three Hebrew manuscripts and most Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 20 and 16:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Zechariah son and or Zechariah, Ben and
  5. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Hebrew; Septuagint (see also verse 21) Jeiel and Azaziah
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:20 See verse 18; Hebrew Aziel, a variant of Jaaziel.
  7. 1 Chronicles 15:20 Probably a musical term
  8. 1 Chronicles 15:21 Probably a musical term