David

13And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

At harvest time, three of the thirty leaders came down to David. He was at the cave of Adullam. Philistine soldiers were camped in the valley of Rephaim.

14And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

At that time David was in a strong, safe hiding place. Philistine soldiers were camped in Bethlehem.

15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

David was longing for water. He said, "I wish someone would bring me a drink from the well by the gate in Bethlehem!"

16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp. They drew water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem. They carried it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out on the ground as a gift to the LORD.

17And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

He said, "LORD, I must never do this. These men risked their lives to get this water. Drinking it would be like drinking their blood." So he would not drink it. These are the things the three mighty men did.

1And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

The LORD, which is God's own name, was angry with Israel again. He stirred David up to say, "Go and count the people of Israel and Judah."

2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

So King David said to Joab, the leader of his army, "Go through all the tribes of Israel. Start at Dan in the north and go to Beersheba in the south. Count the people, so I know how many there are."

3And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Joab said to the king, "May the LORD your God make your people a hundred times more. And may you live to see it. But why do you want to do this?"

4Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

Still, the king would not change his mind. So Joab and the army leaders left the king and went to count the people of Israel.

5And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

They crossed the Jordan River. They camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley. Then they went toward Gad and Jazer.

6Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,

Next they went to Gilead and to the land called Tahtim-hodshi. Then they came to Dan-jaan and around to the city of Sidon.

7And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.

They went to the strong walled city of Tyre. They went to all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. At last they went to the dry southland of Judah, to Beersheba.

8So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

They went through the whole land. Then they came back to Jerusalem. The trip took nine months and twenty days.

9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

Joab gave the king the total. In Israel there were 800,000 strong men who could fight with a sword. In Judah there were 500,000 men.

10And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

After the counting, David felt sick inside about it. He said to the LORD, "I have done a very bad thing. Please forgive me. I acted very foolishly."

11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,

David got up the next morning. Before that, a message from the LORD had come to Gad. Gad was a prophet, someone who told people what God said.

12Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

God said, "Go and tell David this. The LORD says, 'I am giving you three choices. Pick one, and I will do it to you.'"

13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.

So Gad went and told David. He said, "Do you choose seven years with no food growing in your land? Or three months running away from your enemies as they chase you? Or three days of deadly sickness in your land? Think it over. Then tell me what to say to the One who sent me."

14And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

David said to Gad, "This is very hard for me. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, because he is very kind. Do not let me fall into the hands of people."

15So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

So the LORD sent a deadly sickness on Israel. It lasted from that morning until the set time. From Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand people died.

16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

The angel reached out his hand to destroy Jerusalem. But the LORD changed his mind about the harm. He said to the angel, "That is enough. Stop now." The angel was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. A threshing floor is a flat place where grain is beaten out.

17And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.

David saw the angel striking the people. He said to the LORD, "Look, I am the one who sinned. I am the one who did wrong. But these people are like sheep. What did they do? Please punish me and my family instead."

18And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

That same day Gad came to David. He said, "Go up and build an altar to the LORD on Araunah's threshing floor." An altar is a stone table for giving gifts to God.

19And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

So David went up, just as Gad told him and just as the LORD had said.

20And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming. He went out and bowed low, with his face to the ground.

21And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

Araunah asked, "Why has my lord the king come to me?" David said, "To buy your threshing floor. I want to build an altar to the LORD, so the sickness will stop."

22And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

Araunah said to David, "Take whatever you want and give it to God. Here are oxen for a burnt gift. Here are the heavy boards and wooden yokes to burn as firewood."

23All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

Araunah gave all of it to the king. He said to the king, "May the LORD your God be pleased with you."

24And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

The king said, "No. I will pay you a fair price. I will not give the LORD my God gifts that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver.

25And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

There David built an altar to the LORD. He gave burnt gifts and friendship gifts to God. The LORD listened to the prayer for the land. The sickness in Israel stopped.

1Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

King David was now very old. His servants piled blankets on him, but he still felt cold.

2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

So his servants said to him, "Let us find a young woman for you, our king. She can wait on you and take care of you. She can lie beside you and keep you warm."

3So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

So they looked all through the land of Israel for a beautiful girl. They found Abishag, from the town of Shunem, and brought her to the king.

4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

The girl was very beautiful. She took care of the king and served him. But the king did not sleep with her.

5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

Then Adonijah decided he would make himself king. He was David's son, and his mother was Haggith. He got chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run ahead of him.

6And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

His father had never once corrected him or asked, "Why are you doing this?" Adonijah was very handsome. He was born right after his brother Absalom.

7And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

Adonijah talked with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest. Both men agreed to help him.

8But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

But some men would not join Adonijah. They were Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, a man who told people what God said. Shimei, Rei, and David's best soldiers also stayed away.

9And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves for a feast. He did this by the stone of Zoheleth, near a spring called En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the king's officials from Judah.

10But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the best soldiers, or his brother Solomon.

11Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

So Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. He said, "Have you heard? Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has made himself king. And our lord David does not even know.

12Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

Please let me tell you what to do. This way you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

13Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not promise me this? You said Solomon my son would be king after you and would sit on your throne. So why is Adonijah acting as king?'

14Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

While you are still talking with the king, I will come in too. I will tell him that everything you said is true."

15And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

So Bathsheba went in to see the king in his bedroom. The king was very old, and Abishag from Shunem was taking care of him.

16And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

Bathsheba bowed low to show honor to the king. The king asked her, "What do you want?"

17And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

She said, "My lord, you made a promise to me before the LORD your God. You said that my son Solomon would be king after you. You said he would sit on your throne.

18And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

But now Adonijah is acting as king. And you, my lord the king, do not even know it.

19And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

He has killed many oxen, fattened calves, and sheep for a feast. He invited all your other sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the leader of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

20And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

My lord the king, everyone in Israel is watching you. They are waiting for you to say who will sit on your throne after you.

21Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

If you do not, something bad will happen. When you die and rest with your ancestors, people will treat my son Solomon and me as criminals."

22And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

While she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

The king was told, "Nathan the prophet is here." Nathan came in and bowed with his face to the ground.

24And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

Nathan said, "My lord the king, did you say that Adonijah would be king after you? Did you say he would sit on your throne?

25For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

Today he went out and killed many oxen, fattened calves, and sheep for a feast. He invited all the king's sons, the army leaders, and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him. They are shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

26But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

But he did not invite me, your servant. He did not invite Zadok the priest, or Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.

27Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

Did my lord the king order this? If so, you did not tell your servants who should sit on your throne after you."

28Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

Then King David said, "Call Bathsheba back in." So she came in and stood before the king.

29And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

The king made a solemn promise. He said, "The LORD lives, and He has saved me from every trouble.

30Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

I promised you before the LORD, the God of Israel, that Solomon your son would be king after me. I said he would sit on my throne in my place. Today I will do exactly that."

31Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground to honor the king. She said, "May my lord King David live forever!"

32And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

King David said, "Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." So they came in to the king.

33The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

The king said to them, "Take my servants with you. Put my son Solomon on my own mule. Then take him down to the spring called Gihon.

34And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet must pour oil on him to make him king over Israel. Then blow the ram's horn and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'

35Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

Then come back up here with him. He will sit on my throne and rule in my place. I have chosen him to be the ruler over Israel and Judah."

36And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Yes, let it be so. May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say the same thing.

37As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

The LORD has been with you, my lord the king. May He be with Solomon too. May He make Solomon's rule even greater than yours."

38So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.

So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went down to Gihon. The king's special guards, the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went too. They put Solomon on King David's mule and led him there.

39And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

Zadok the priest took the horn full of oil from the holy tent. He poured it on Solomon to make him king. They blew the ram's horn, and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"

40And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

All the people followed him up from the spring. They played flutes and were so happy that the ground seemed to shake with the noise.

41And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?

Adonijah and all his guests heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the ram's horn, he asked, "Why is the city making all that noise?"

42And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.

While he was still speaking, Jonathan arrived. He was the son of Abiathar the priest. Adonijah said, "Come in. You are a good man, so you must bring good news."

43And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.

Jonathan answered, "No. Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

44And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king’s mule:

The king sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada with him. The Cherethites and the Pelethites went too. They put Solomon on the king's own mule.

45And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet poured oil on him at Gihon to make him king. They came back up cheering, and the whole city is ringing with the sound. That is the noise you heard.

46And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.

And Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne.

47And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

The king's servants also came to bless our lord King David. They said, 'May your God make Solomon's name even greater than yours. May He make his throne greater than your throne.' And the king bowed low on his bed to worship.

48And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.

The king also said, 'Praise the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has given someone to sit on my throne, and my own eyes have seen it.'"

49And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

Then all of Adonijah's guests were afraid. They jumped up and hurried away, each man going home.

50And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He got up and ran to the altar and held on to its horns.

51And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

Solomon was told, "Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon. He is holding on to the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon promise me today that he will not kill me.'"

52And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

Solomon said, "If he shows he is a good man, not one hair on his head will be harmed. But if he does wrong, he will die."

53So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.

So King Solomon sent men to bring Adonijah down from the altar. Adonijah came and bowed low before King Solomon. Solomon said to him, "Go home."

1Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

David was almost ready to die. He told his son Solomon what to do.

2I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

"I am going to die, the way everyone does. Be strong. Act like a man.

3And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

Do what the LORD your God tells you. Walk in his ways. Keep his rules, his commands, and his laws written in the law of Moses. Then things will go well for you wherever you go.

4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

Then the LORD will keep the promise he made me. He said, 'If your children live carefully before me, with all their heart and soul, someone from your family will always sit on Israel's throne.'

5Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

"You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me. He killed two leaders of Israel's armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them in peacetime, as if there were a war. Their blood got on his belt and on his sandals.

6Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

So use your good sense. Do not let him die peacefully as an old man.

7But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

But be kind to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat at your table. They helped me when I ran away from your brother Absalom.

8And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

"Shimei son of Gera is near you. He is from the family of Benjamin, from the town of Bahurim. He said hard, hateful things about me the day I went to Mahanaim. Later he came to meet me at the Jordan River. I promised the LORD I would not kill him with a sword.

9Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

But do not treat him as if he did nothing wrong. You are wise. You know what you should do to him. See that he dies, old as he is."

10So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

Then David died, like his family before him. He was buried in the City of David.

11And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

David was king of Israel for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

12Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.

Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David. His kingdom was strong and safe.

1Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Then all the people of Israel came to David at the town of Hebron. They said, "Look, we are your own family."

2And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.

"Even when Saul was king, you led our army out and brought it home safely. And the LORD your God said to you, 'You will take care of my people Israel, the way a shepherd takes care of sheep. You will be their ruler.'"

3Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

So all the leaders of Israel came to David at Hebron. There David made a solemn promise with them before the LORD. Then they poured olive oil on his head to make him king. This happened just as the LORD had said through Samuel.

4And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.

David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem, which was also called Jebus. The Jebusites lived in that land.

5And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.

The people of Jebus told David, "You will never get in here." But David captured their strong fort called Zion. It became the City of David.

6And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.

David had said, "The first man to strike down a Jebusite will be my chief commander." Joab son of Zeruiah went up first. So he became the chief.

7And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.

David moved into the fort and lived there. That is why people called it the City of David.

8And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.

He built up the city all around, from the stone terraces out to the wall. Joab repaired the rest of the city.

9So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

David grew stronger and stronger. The LORD, who rules over all the armies of heaven, was with him.

1And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

David talked with his army leaders. These were the men in charge of thousands and hundreds of soldiers.

2And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:

David spoke to all the people of Israel who had come together. He said, "If this seems good to you, and if the LORD our God wants it, let us send word to all our people everywhere in Israel. Let us also send word to the priests and Levites, the men who do God's work, in their towns and open fields. Then they can all come and join us."

3And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

"Let us bring the ark of our God back to us. In the days of King Saul, we did not go to it to ask God what he wanted."

4And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

All the people said they would do this. It seemed right to every one of them.

5So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

So David gathered all Israel together. They came from the Shihor River in Egypt all the way north to Lebo-hamath. They came to bring the ark of God from the town of Kirjath-jearim.

6And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah, which is the town of Kirjath-jearim in Judah. They went to bring back the ark of God the LORD. He sits like a king above the two golden winged figures on its lid. The ark is called by his own name.

7And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

They brought the ark of God out of Abinadab's house. They put it on a new cart. Uzza and Ahio led the cart along the road.

8And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

David and all Israel celebrated in front of God with all their strength. They sang songs. They played harps and lyres, and shook tambourines. They clashed cymbals and blew trumpets.

9And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

They came to the threshing floor of Chidon. The oxen pulling the cart stumbled. So Uzza reached out his hand to hold the ark steady.

10And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

The LORD became angry at Uzza. God struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. Uzza died there in front of God.

11And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

David was upset because the LORD had burst out against Uzza. So David named that place Perez-uzza. People still call it that today.

12And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

That day David was afraid of God. He asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God home to me?"

13So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

So David did not take the ark home to his own city. He turned aside and left it at the house of Obed-edom, a man from the town of Gath.

14And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

The ark of God stayed with Obed-edom and his family for three months. The LORD blessed Obed-edom's household and everything he owned.

1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

Hiram was the king of Tyre, a city near the sea. He sent men to David with cedar logs. He also sent workers who cut stone and workers who built with wood. They came to build a palace for David.

2And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

David knew that the LORD had made him king over Israel for sure. God had made his kingdom great. God did this because he loved his people Israel.

3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

In Jerusalem, David married more wives. He had more sons and daughters.

4Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

Here are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem. They were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.

5And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

Then came Ibhar, Elishua, and Elpalet.

6And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

Then came Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia.

7And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

Then came Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

8And 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.

The Philistines heard that David was now king over all Israel. Oil had been poured on his head to show he was chosen. So all the Philistines went out to look for him. David heard they were coming, and he went out to meet them.

9And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines came and spread out in the valley of Rephaim.

10And 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.

David asked God, "Should I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD said, "Go. I will hand them over to you."

11So 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.

So they went up to a place called Baal-perazim. David beat the Philistines there. David said, "God has burst through my enemies. He used me to do it. It was like water bursting through a wall." That is why they named the place Baal-perazim.

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

The Philistines ran away and left their idols behind. Idols are statues that people pray to. David gave an order, and the statues were burned in a fire.

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

The Philistines came back again. They spread out in the valley one more time.

14Therefore 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.

So David asked God what to do again. God told him, "Do not go straight up after them. Go around behind them instead. Attack them near the balsam trees."

15And 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.

"Listen at the tops of the balsam trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet, go out and fight. That sound means God has gone ahead of you. He will strike down the Philistine army."

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

David did just what God told him to do. They beat the Philistine army. They chased them all the way from Gibeon to Gazer.

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

People in every land heard about David. The LORD made all the nations afraid of him.

1And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

David built houses for himself in the city of David. He also got a place ready for the ark of God. Then he put up a tent for it.

2Then 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.

David said, "Only the Levites may carry the ark of God. The LORD picked them to carry it. He also picked them to serve him always."

3And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

David called all Israel to come to Jerusalem. He wanted to bring the ark of the LORD to the place he had made ready.

4And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

David gathered the family of Aaron and the Levites together.

5Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:

From the family of Kohath came Uriel the leader, with 120 of his relatives.

6Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

From the family of Merari came Asaiah the leader, with 220 of his relatives.

7Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

From the family of Gershom came Joel the leader, with 130 of his relatives.

8Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

From the family of Elizaphan came Shemaiah the leader, with 200 of his relatives.

9Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

From the family of Hebron came Eliel the leader, with 80 of his relatives.

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

From the family of Uzziel came Amminadab the leader, with 112 of his relatives.

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

David called for the priests Zadok and Abiathar. He also called the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

12And 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.

David said, "You are the leaders of the Levite families. Make yourselves clean and ready for God's work. Then bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. Bring it to the place I made ready for it."

13For 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.

"The first time, you Levites did not carry it. So the LORD our God broke out against us in anger. We did not ask him how it should be done."

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

So the priests and the Levites made themselves clean and ready. Then they could bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

15And 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.

The Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders. They used the long poles made for carrying it. They did just what Moses had said, following the LORD's word.

16And 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.

David told the Levite leaders to choose their relatives to be singers. They would sing loudly and with joy. Others would play harps, lyres, and cymbals with them.

17So 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;

So the Levites chose Heman son of Joel. From his relatives they chose Asaph son of Berechiah. From the family of Merari they chose Ethan son of Kushaiah.

18And 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.

With them were the helpers who came next in rank. They were Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, and Mikneiah. Obed-edom and Jeiel were the gatekeepers.

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

The singers Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to play the bronze cymbals.

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

Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps. They played them in the style called Alamoth.

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

Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music. They played lyres in the style called Sheminith.

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

Chenaniah, a Levite leader, was in charge of the singing. He taught the others how to sing, because he was very good at it.

23And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

Berechiah and Elkanah were guards for the ark.

24And 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.

The priests Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew the trumpets in front of the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also guards for the ark.

25So 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.

So David went with the leaders of Israel and the army commanders. They were full of joy. They went to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.

26And 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.

God helped the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD. So the people gave God an offering of seven bulls and seven rams.

27And 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.

David wore a robe of fine linen cloth. So did the Levites who carried the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah, who led the singing. David also wore a linen ephod, a special vest worn for serving God.

28Thus 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.

So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD. They shouted for joy. They blew rams' horns and trumpets. They played cymbals, harps, and lyres.

29And 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.

The ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the city of David. Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from a window. She saw King David dancing and celebrating. Deep inside, she thought less of him for it.