II. The Acquisition of the Ark of the Covenant........... 13:1-17:27

1Ch 13:1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

1Ch 13:2 And 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:

1Ch 13:3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

1Ch 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

1Ch 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

1Ch 13:6 And 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.

1Ch 13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

1Ch 13:8 And 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.

1Ch 13:9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

1Ch 13:10 And 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.

1Ch 13:11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.

1Ch 13:12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

1Ch 13:13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

1Ch 13:14 And 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.

1Ch 14:1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

1Ch 14:2 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.

1Ch 14:3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

1Ch 14:4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

1Ch 14:5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

1Ch 14:6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

1Ch 14:7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

1Ch 14:8 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.

1Ch 14:9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

1Ch 14:10 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.

1Ch 14:11 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.

1Ch 14:12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

1Ch 14:13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

1Ch 14:14 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.

1Ch 14:15 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.

1Ch 14:16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.

1Ch 14:17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1Ch 15:1 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.

1Ch 15:2 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.

1Ch 15:3 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.

1Ch 15:4 And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

1Ch 15:5 Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:

1Ch 15:6 Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

1Ch 15:7 Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

1Ch 15:8 Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

1Ch 15:9 Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

1Ch 15:10 Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.

1Ch 15:11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

1Ch 15:12 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.

1Ch 15:13 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.

1Ch 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

1Ch 15:15 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.

1Ch 15:16 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.

1Ch 15:17 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;

1Ch 15:18 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.

1Ch 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

1Ch 15:20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;

1Ch 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.

1Ch 15:22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

1Ch 15:23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1Ch 15:24 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.

1Ch 15:25 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.

1Ch 15:26 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.

1Ch 15:27 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.

1Ch 15:28 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.

1Ch 15:29 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.

1Ch 16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

1Ch 16:2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

1Ch 16:3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

1Ch 16:4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

1Ch 16:5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

1Ch 16:6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

1Ch 16:7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

1Ch 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

1Ch 16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

1Ch 16:10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

1Ch 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

1Ch 16:12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

1Ch 16:13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1Ch 16:14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

1Ch 16:15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

1Ch 16:16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

1Ch 16:17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

1Ch 16:18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

1Ch 16:19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

1Ch 16:20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

1Ch 16:21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

1Ch 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

1Ch 16:23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

1Ch 16:24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

1Ch 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

1Ch 16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

1Ch 16:27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

1Ch 16:28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

1Ch 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

1Ch 16:30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

1Ch 16:31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

1Ch 16:32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

1Ch 16:33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1Ch 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

1Ch 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

1Ch 16:37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

1Ch 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

1Ch 16:39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

1Ch 16:40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

1Ch 16:41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;

1Ch 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

1Ch 16:43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

1Ch 17:1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

1Ch 17:2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

1Ch 17:3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

1Ch 17:4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

1Ch 17:5 For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

1Ch 17:6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

1Ch 17:7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

1Ch 17:8 And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

1Ch 17:9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

1Ch 17:10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

1Ch 17:11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

1Ch 17:12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

1Ch 17:13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

1Ch 17:14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

1Ch 17:15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

1Ch 17:16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

1Ch 17:17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

1Ch 17:18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

1Ch 17:19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

1Ch 17:20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1Ch 17:21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

1Ch 17:22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

1Ch 17:23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

1Ch 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

1Ch 17:25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

1Ch 17:26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

1Ch 17:27 Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.