Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

1 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

3 The sons of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

4 Eleazar conceived Phinehas, and Phinehas conceived Abishua.

5 Truly, Abishua conceived Bukki, and Bukki conceived Uzzi.

6 Uzzi conceived Zerahiah, and Zerahiah conceived Meraioth.

7 Then Meraioth conceived Amariah, and Amariah conceived Ahitub.

8 Ahitub conceived Zadok, and Zadok conceived Ahimaaz.

9 Ahimaaz conceived Azariah; Azariah conceived Johanan.

10 Johanan conceived Azariah. He is the one who executed the priestly office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem.

11 Now Azariah conceived Amariah, and Amariah conceived Ahitub.

12 Ahitub conceived Zadok, and Zadok conceived Shallum.

13 Shallum conceived Hilkiah, and Hilkiah conceived Azariah.

14 Azariah conceived Seraiah, and Seraiah conceived Jehozadak.

15 Now Jehozadak departed, when the Lord took away Judah and Jerusalem, by the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.

16 So the sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.

18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. And so these are the kindred of Levi, according to their families.

20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.

22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,

24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, Shaul his son.

25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth

26 and Elkanah. The sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, Nahath his son,

27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

28 The sons of Samuel: Vasseni the firstborn, and Abijah.

29 Now the sons of Merari were: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

31 These are the ones whom David appointed over the singing men in the house of the Lord, in the place where the ark was located.

32 And they ministered before the tabernacle of the testimony with singing, until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And they would stand according to their order in the ministry.

33 Truly, these are the ones who were assisting, with their sons, from the sons of Kohath: the singer Heman, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,

34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,

36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,

37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

39 And there was also his brother, Asaph, who was standing at his right, Asaph, the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,

40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,

41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,

42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.

44 Now the sons of Merari, their brothers, were on the left: Ethan, the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,

46 the son of Amzi, the son of Boni, the son of Shemer,

47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

48 There were also their brothers, Levites who were appointed for every ministry of the tabernacle of the house of the Lord.

49 Truly, Aaron and his sons were burning offerings upon the altar of holocausts and upon the altar of incense, for the entire work of the Holy of Holies, and to pray on behalf of Israel, in accord with all the things that Moses, the servant of God, had instructed.

50 Now these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,

51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,

52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,

53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

54 And these are their habitations according to the villages and confines, specifically of the sons of Aaron, according to the kindred of the Kohathites. For it fell to them by lot.

55 And so, they gave Hebron, in the land of Judah, and its suburbs all around, to them,

56 but they gave the fields of the city, and the villages, to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh.

57 Then, to the sons of Aaron, they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, and Libnah with its suburbs,

58 also Jattir and Eshtemoa with their suburbs, then also Hilen and Debir with their suburbs,

59 as well as Ashan and Beth-shemesh with their suburbs.

60 And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its suburbs, and Alemeth with its suburbs, as well as Anathoth with its suburbs. All the cities throughout their kindred were thirteen.

61 Now to the sons of Kohath, those remaining from their kindred, they gave ten cities, from the one half tribe of Manasseh, as a possession;

62 and to the sons of Gershom, according to their families, from the tribe of Issachar, and from the tribe of Asher, and from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe Manasseh in Bashan: thirteen cities.

63 Then to the sons of Merari, according to their families, from the tribe of Reuben, and from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun, they gave by lot twelve cities.

64 Also, the sons of Israel gave, to the Levites, cities and their suburbs,

65 and they gave them by lot, out of the tribe of the sons of Judah, and out of the tribe of the sons of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, these cities, which they called by their names.

66 And for those who were from the kindred of the sons of Kohath, the cities with their borders were from the tribe of Ephraim.

67 Then they gave to them the cities of refuge: Shechem with its suburbs on mount Ephraim, and Gezer with its suburbs,

68 as well as Jokmeam with its suburbs, and Beth-horon similarly,

69 and indeed Hilen with its suburbs, and Gath Rimmon in the same manner.

70 Then too, out of the one half tribe of Manasseh: Aner and its suburbs, Bileam and its suburbs; these in particular went to those who were remaining from the kindred of the sons of Kohath.

71 And to the sons of Gershom, from the kindred of the one half tribe of Manasseh: Golan, in Bashan, and its suburbs, and Ashtaroth with its suburbs;

72 from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh and its suburbs, and Daberath with its suburbs,

73 as well as Ramoth and its suburbs, and Anem with its suburbs;

74 truly, from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its suburbs, and Abdon similarly;

75 as well as Hukkok and its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs;

76 moreover, from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee and its suburbs, Hammon with its suburbs, and Kiriathaim and its suburbs.

77 Then to the remaining sons of Merari, from the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono and its suburbs, and Tabor with its suburbs;

78 and also, across the Jordan opposite Jericho, facing the east of the Jordan, from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs, and Jahzah with its suburbs;

79 as well as Kedemoth and its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs;

80 indeed also, from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead and its suburbs, and Mahanaim with its suburbs;

81 then too, Heshbon with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.

1 Now the sons of Issachar were Tola and Puah, Jashub and Shimron, four.

2 The sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel, leaders according to the houses of their kindred. From the stock of Tola, there were numbered, in the days of David, twenty-two thousand six hundred very strong men.

3 The sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah, from whom were born: Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, and Isshiah; all five were leaders.

4 And with them, by their families and peoples, there were thirty-six thousand very strong men, girded for battle. And they had many wives and children.

5 Also, their brothers, throughout all the kindred of Issachar, were numbered as eighty-seven thousand, very fit for battle.

6 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.

7 The sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth and Iri, five leaders of families, also very fit for battle; and their number was twenty-two thousand thirty-four.

8 Now the sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeremoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alemeth: all these were sons of Becher.

9 And they were numbered according to their families, by the leaders of their kindred, very strong in warfare, twenty thousand and two hundred.

10 And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar.

11 All these were sons of Jediael, the leaders of their kindred, very strong men, seventeen thousand and two hundred, going forth to battle.

12 Also, Shuppim and Huppim, the sons of Ir; and Hushim, sons of Aher.

13 Then the sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, sons of Bilhah.

14 Also, the son of Manasseh: Asriel. And his concubine, a Syrian, bore Machir, the father of Gilead.

15 Now Machir took wives for his sons, Huppim and Shuppim. And he had a sister named Maacah; but the name of the second was Zelophehad, and daughters were born to Zelophehad.

16 And Maacah, the wife of Machir, bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. And the name of his brother was Sheresh. And his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

17 Then the son of Ulam: Bedan. These are the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

18 And his sister, Regina, bore Ishhod, and Abiezer, and Mahlah.

19 Now the sons of Shemida were Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi and Aniam.

20 And the sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, whose son was Zabad,

21 and his son was Shuthelah, and his son was Ezer, and also Elead. But the men indigenous to Gath killed them, because they had descended to invade their possessions.

22 And so their father, Ephraim, mourned for many days; and his brothers arrived, so that they might console him.

23 And he entered to his wife; she conceived and bore a son. And he called his name Beriah, because he rose up during a time of evil for his house.

24 Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, and also Uzzen-sheerah.

25 And Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah, from whom was born Tahan,

26 who conceived Ladan. And his son was Ammihud, who conceived Elishama,

27 from whom was born Nun, who had Joshua as a son.

28 Now their possessions and habitations were: Bethel with her daughters, and toward the east, Naaran, and toward the western region, Gezer and her daughters, as well as Shechem with her daughters, as far as Ayyah with her daughters;

29 also, beside the sons of Manasseh, Bethshean and her daughters, Taanach and her daughters, Megiddo and her daughters, Dor and her daughters. In these places, there lived the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel.

30 The sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.

31 And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, the same is the father of Birzaith.

32 Now Heber conceived Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and their sister Shua.

33 The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath; these are the sons of Japhlet.

34 Then the sons of Shomer: Ahi, and Rohgah, and Jehubbah, and Aram.

35 And the sons of Helem, his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.

36 The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,

37 Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.

38 The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara.

39 Then the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia.

40 All these were sons of Asher, the leaders of families, elect and very strong rulers among rulers. And the number of those who were of an age that was fit for warfare was twenty-six thousand.

1 Now Benjamin conceived Bela as his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,

2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

3 And the sons of Bela were: Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

4 as well as Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,

5 then also Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.

6 These are the sons of Ehud, leaders of the kindred living in Geba, who were moved away to Manahath.

7 And Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera, he also moved them away; and he conceived Uzza and Ahihud.

8 Then Shaharaim conceived, in the region of Moab, after he sent away Hushim and Baara, his wives;

9 and so, of his wife Hodesh, he conceived Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcam,

10 and also Jeuz and Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, the leaders of their families.

11 Truly, of Hushim he conceived Abitub and Elpaal.

12 And the sons of Elpaal were Eber, and Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod and its daughters.

13 Now Beriah and Shema were leaders of their families living in Aijalon; these put to flight the inhabitants of Gath.

14 And Ahio, and Shashak, and Jeremoth,

15 and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Eder,

16 as well as Michael, and Ishpah, and Joha, were the sons of Beriah.

17 Then Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hizki, and Heber,

18 and Ishmerai, and Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

19 Then Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,

20 and Elienai, and Zillethai, and Eliel,

21 and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

22 Then Ishpan, and Eber, and Eliel,

23 and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,

24 and Hananiah, and Elam, and Anthothijah,

25 and Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.

26 Then Shamsherai, and Shehariah and Athaliah,

27 and Jaareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.

28 These were the patriarchs and leaders of the families who were living in Jerusalem.

29 Now in Gibeon, there lived Jeiel, the father of Gibeon; and the name of his wife was Maacah,

30 and his firstborn son was Abdon, and then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

31 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher, and Mikloth.

32 And Mikloth conceived Shimeah. And they lived opposite their brothers in Jerusalem, with their brothers.

33 Now Ner conceived Kish, and Kish conceived Saul. Then Saul conceived Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

34 And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal conceived Micah.

35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.

36 And Ahaz conceived Jehoaddah. And Jehoaddah conceived Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri. And Zimri conceived Moza.

37 And Moza conceived Binea, whose son was Raphah, of whom was born Eleasah, who conceived Azel.

38 Now there were six sons for Azel, whose names were Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

39 Then the sons of Eshek, his brother, were Ulam the firstborn, and Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40 And the sons of Ulam were very robust men, drawing the bow with great strength. And they had many sons and grandsons, even to one hundred fifty. All these were sons of Benjamin.

1 And so, all of Israel was numbered. And the sum of them was written in the book of the kings of Israel and of Judah. And they were taken away to Babylon because of their transgression.

2 Now the first who lived in their possessions and in their cities were Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, and the temple servants.

3 Staying in Jerusalem were some from the sons of Judah, and from the sons of Benjamin, and also from the sons of Ephraim and of Manasseh:

4 Uthai, the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, from the sons of Perez, the son of Judah.

5 And from Shiloni: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.

6 Then from the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brothers, six hundred ninety.

7 And from the sons of Benjamin: Sallu, the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah;

8 and Ibneiah, the son of Jeroham; and Elah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; and Meshullam, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;

9 and their brothers according to their families, nine hundred fifty-six. All these were leaders of their kindred, according to the houses of their fathers.

10 And from the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin;

11 and also Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the high priest of the house of God;

12 then Adaiah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai, the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;

13 and also their brothers, leaders according to their families, one thousand seven hundred sixty, very strong experience men, for the work of the ministry in the house of God.

14 Then from the Levites: Shemaiah, the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

15 and also Bakbakkar the carpenter; and Galal; and Mattaniah, the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;

16 and Obadiah, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah, the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived at the entrance to Netophah.

17 Now the gatekeepers were Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman; and their brother Shallum was the leader.

18 For until that time, at the gate of the king to the east, the sons of Levi served in their turns.

19 Truly, Shallum, the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, with his brothers and his father’s house, these Korahites, were over the works of the ministry of keeping the vestibules of the tabernacle. And their families, in turns, were keepers of the entrance to the camp of the Lord.

20 Now Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was their ruler before the Lord.

21 But Zechariah, the son of Meshelemiah, was the keeper of the gate of the tabernacle of the testimony.

22 All these, chosen as porters for the gates, were two hundred twelve. And they were recorded in their own towns, those whom David, and the seer Samuel, appointed, in their faith,

23 as with them, so also with their sons, at the gates of the house of the Lord and the tabernacle, by their turns.

24 At the four directions, there were gatekeepers, that is, at the east, and at the west, and at the north, and at the south.

25 Now their brothers were staying in the villages, and they arrived on their Sabbaths, from time to time.

26 To these four Levites were entrusted the entire number of the gatekeepers, and they were over the chambers and storehouses of the house of the Lord.

27 And they remained in their watches, on all sides of the temple of the Lord, so that, when the time had arrived, they might open the gates in the morning.

28 Some from their kindred were also over the vessels of the ministry. For the vessels were both carried in and carried out according to number.

29 Some of them also were entrusted with the equipment of the sanctuary; they were in charge of the fine wheat flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the aromatics.

30 Now the sons of the priests composed the ointments from the aromatics.

31 And Mattithiah, a Levite, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of those things that were cooked in a frying pan.

32 Now some of the sons of Kohath, their brothers, were over the bread of the presence, so that they might continually prepare it new for each Sabbath.

33 These are the leaders of the singing men, according to the families of the Levites, who were dwelling in the chambers, so that they might carry out their ministry continually, day and night.

34 The heads of the Levites, leaders according to their families, abode in Jerusalem.

35 Now in Gibeon, there lived Jeiel, the father of Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah.

36 His firstborn son was Abdon, and then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab,

37 as well as Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

38 Then Mikloth conceived Shimeam. These lived opposite their brothers in Jerusalem, with their brothers.

39 Now Ner conceived Kish, and Kish conceived Saul. And Saul conceived Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

40 And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal. And Meribbaal conceived Micah.

41 Now the sons of Micah were Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.

42 And Ahaz conceived Jarah. And Jarah conceived Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri. Then Zimri conceived Moza.

43 Truly, Moza conceived Binea, whose son, Rephaiah, conceived Eleasah, from of whom was born Azel.

44 Now Azel had six sons, whose names are: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan. These are the sons of Azel.

1 Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from the Philistines, and they fell down wounded on mount Gilboa.

2 And when the Philistines had draw near, pursuing Saul and his sons, they struck down Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

3 And the battle grew heavy against Saul. And the archers found him, and they wounded him with arrows.

4 And Saul said to his armor bearer: “Unsheathe your sword and kill me. Otherwise, these uncircumcised men may arrive and mock me.” But his armor bearer was not willing, having been struck with fear. And so, Saul took hold of his sword, and he fell upon it.

5 And when his armor bearer had seen this, specifically, that Saul was dead, he now fell on his sword also, and he died.

6 Therefore, Saul died, and his three sons passed away, and his entire house fell, together.

7 And when the men of Israel who were living in the plains had seen this, they fled. And since Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and were dispersed, here and there. And the Philistines arrived and lived among them.

8 Then, on the next day, when the Philistines were taking away the spoils of the slain, they found Saul and his sons, lying on mount Gilboa.

9 And when they had despoiled him, and had cut off his head, and had stripped his armor, they sent these things into their land, so that they would be carried around and displayed in the temples of the idols and to the people.

10 But his armor they consecrated in the shrine of their god, and his head they affixed in the temple of Dagon.

11 When the men of Jabesh Gilead had heard this, specifically, all that the Philistines had done concerning Saul,

12 each one of the valiant men rose up, and they took the bodies of Saul and of his sons. And they brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak that was in Jabesh. And they fasted for seven days.

13 Thus did Saul die for his iniquities, because he betrayed the commandment of the Lord which he had instructed, and did not keep it. And moreover, he even consulted a woman diviner;

14 for he did not trust in the Lord. Because of this, he caused his death, and he transferred his kingdom to David, the son of Jesse.

1 Then all of Israel was gathered to David at Hebron, saying: “We are your bone and your flesh.

2 Also, yesterday and the day before, when Saul still reigned, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel. For the Lord your God said to you: ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over them.’ “

3 Therefore, all those greater by birth of Israel went to the king at Hebron. And David formed a pact with them before the Lord. And they anointed him king over Israel, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he spoke by the hand of Samuel.

4 Then David and all of Israel went to Jerusalem. The same is Jebus, where the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were.

5 And those who were living in Jebus said to David: “You shall not enter here.” But David seized the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.

6 And he said, “Whoever shall strike the Jebusites first, shall be ruler and commander.” And so Joab, the son of Zeruiah, ascended first, and he was made the leader.

7 Then David lived in the stronghold, and for this reason it was called the City of David.

8 And he built up the city all around, from Millo even to every side. But Joab built the rest of the city.

9 And David continued advancing and increasing, and the Lord of hosts was with him.

10 These are the leaders of the strong men of David, who assisted him, so that he would become king over all of Israel, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he spoke to Israel.

11 And this is the number of the robust of David: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, leader among the thirty. He lifted up his spear over three hundred, who were wounded at one time.

12 And after him, there was Eleazar, the son of his uncle, an Ahohite, who was among the three powerful ones.

13 He was with David in Pasdammim, when the Philistines were gathered to that place for battle. Now the field of that region was full of barley, but the people had fled from the face of the Philistines.

14 These men stood in the midst of the field, and they defended it. And when they had struck down the Philistines, the Lord gave a great salvation to his people.

15 Then three from the thirty leaders descended to the rock where David was, to the cave of Adullam, when the Philistines had made camp in the Valley of the Rephaim.

16 Now David was in a stronghold, and a garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem.

17 And then David desired and said, “O if only someone would give me water from the well of Bethlehem, which is at the gate!”

18 Therefore, these three broke through to the midst of the camp of the Philistines, and they drew water from the well of Bethlehem, which was at the gate. And they took it to David, so that he might drink. But he was not willing; and instead, he offered it as a libation to the Lord,

19 saying: “Far be it from me, that I would do this in the sight of my God, and that I would drink the blood of these men. For at the peril of their own lives, they brought the water to me.” And for this reason, he was not willing to drink. The three most powerful accomplished these things.

20 Also, Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were wounded. And he was most renown among the three,

21 and he was famous among the second three and their leader. Yet truly, he did not reach as far as the first three.

22 Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, from Kabzeel, was a very mature man, who had accomplished many deeds. He struck down the two lions of God from Moab. And he descended and killed a lion in the middle of a pit, in the time of snow.

23 And he struck down an Egyptian man, whose stature was five cubits, and who had a spear like a weaver’s beam. And yet he descended to him with a staff. And he seized the spear that he was holding in his hand. And he killed him with his own spear.

24 These things were done by Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, who was most renowned among the three robust ones,

25 the first among the thirty. Yet truly, he did not reach as far as the three. Then David placed him beside his ear.

26 Moreover, the strongest men of the army were Asahel, the brother of Joab; and Elhanan, the son of his uncle, from Bethlehem;

27 Shammoth, a Harorite; Helez, a Pelonite;

28 Ira, the son of Ikkesh, a Tekoite; Abiezer, an Anathothite;

29 Sibbecai, a Hushathite; Ilai, an Ahohite;

30 Maharai, a Netophathite; Heled, the son of Baanah, a Netophathite;

31 Ithai, the son of Ribai, from Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin; Benaiah, a Pirathonite;

32 Hurai, from the torrent Gaash; Abiel, an Arbathite; Azmaveth, a Baharumite; Eliahba, a Shaalbonite.

33 The sons of Hashem, a Gizonite: Jonathan, the son of Shagee, a Hararite;

34 Ahiam, the son of Sachar, a Hararite;

35 Eliphal, the son of Ur;

36 Hepher, a Mecherathite; Ahijah, a Pelonite;

37 Hezro, a Carmelite; Naharai, the son of Ezbai;

38 Joel, the brother of Nathan; Mibhar, the son of Hagri;

39 Zelek, an Ammonite; Naarai, a Beerothite, the armor bearer of Joab, the son of Zeruiah;

40 Ira, an Ithrite; Gareb, an Ithrite;

41 Uriah, a Hittite; Zabad, the son of Ahlai;

42 Adina, the son of Shiza, a Reubenite, the leader of the Reubenites, and thirty who were with him;

43 Hanan, the son of Maacah; and Joshaphat, a Mithnite;

44 Uzzia, an Ashterathite; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham, an Aroerite;

45 Jediael, the son of Shimri; and Joha, his brother, a Tizite;

46 Eliel, a Mahavite; and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; and Ithmah, a Moabite; Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel from Mezobaite.

1 Also, these went to David at Ziklag, while he was still fleeing from Saul, the son of Kish. And they were very strong and distinguished fighters,

2 bending the bow, and using either hand in casting stones with slings, and shooting arrows. From the brothers of Saul, out of Benjamin:

3 the leader was Ahiezer, with Joash, sons of Shemaah from Gibeah, and Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu, from Anathoth.

4 Also, there was Ishmaiah, from Gibeon, the strongest among the thirty and over the thirty; Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad, from Gederah;

5 and Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah, the Haruphites;

6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, from Carehim;

7 and also Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham, from Gedor.

8 Then too, from Gad, there went over to David, when he was hiding in the desert, very robust men, who were excellent fighters, taking hold of shield and spear; their faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roe deer upon the mountains.

9 Ezer was the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These were from the sons of Gad, leaders of the army. The least was in charge of one hundred soldiers, and the greatest was in charge of one thousand.

15 These are the ones who crossed over the Jordan in the first month, when it is accustomed to overflow its banks. And they put to flight all those who were staying in the valleys, to the eastern region and to the west.

16 Then some from Benjamin and from Judah also arrived at the stronghold where David was staying.

17 And David went out to meet them, and he said: “If you have arrived peacefully, so as to be a help to me, may my heart be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, though I have no iniquity in my hands, may the God of our fathers see and judge.”

18 Truly, the Spirit clothed Amasai, the leader among the thirty, and he said: “O David, we are yours! O son of Jesse, we are for you! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers. For your God helps you.” Therefore, David received them, and he appointed them as leaders of troops.

19 Moreover, some from Manasseh crossed over to David, when he went forth with the Philistines against Saul, so that he might fight. But he did not fight with them. For the leaders of the Philistines, taking counsel, sent him back, saying, “To the peril of our own heads, he will return to his lord, Saul.”

20 And so, when he returned to Ziklag, some fled over to him from Manasseh: Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Adnah, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of thousands in Manasseh.

21 These offered assistance to David against the robbers. For all were very strong men, and they became leaders in the army.

22 Then, too, some came to David throughout each day, in order to help him, until they became a great number, like the army of God.

23 Now this is the number of the leaders of the army who went to David when he was at Hebron, so that they might transfer the kingdom of Saul to him, in accord with the word of the Lord:

24 the sons of Judah, carrying shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred, equipped for battle;

25 from the sons of Simeon, very strong men for the fight, seven thousand one hundred;

26 from the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred;

27 as well as Jehoiada, a leader from the stock of Aaron, and with him three thousand seven hundred;

28 and then Zadok, a youth of distinguished qualities, and the house of his father, twenty-two leaders;

29 and from the sons of Benjamin, brothers of Saul, three thousand, for still a great part of them were following the house of Saul.

30 Then from the sons of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred, very strong and robust men, renowned among their kindred.

31 And out of the one half tribe of Manasseh, eighteen thousand, each by their names, went forth so that they might appoint David as king.

32 Also, from the sons of Issachar, there were learned men, who knew each of the times, in order to anticipate what Israel ought to do, two hundred leaders. And all the remainder of the tribe were following their counsel.

33 Then, from Zebulun, there were those who went forth to battle, and who were standing in a battle line, prepared with the weapons of warfare; these fifty thousand arrived to assist, without duplicity of heart.

34 And from Naphtali, there were one thousand leaders; and with them were thirty-seven thousand, prepared with shield and spear.

35 And then from Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred, ready for battle.

36 And from Asher, there were forty thousand, going forth to fight, and summoned to the battle line.

37 Then, across the Jordan, there were, from the sons of Reuben, and from Gad, and from the one half tribe of Manasseh, one hundred twenty thousand, prepared with the weapons of warfare.

38 All these men of war, equipped for the fight, went with a perfect heart to Hebron, so that they might appoint David as king over all of Israel. Then, too, all the remainder of Israel were of one heart, so that they might make David king.

39 And they were in that place with David for three days, eating and drinking. For their brothers had made preparations for them.

40 Moreover, those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, were bringing, on donkeys and camels and mules and oxen, bread for their provisions, with grain, dried figs, dried grapes, wine, oil, and oxen and sheep, with all abundance. For indeed, there was joy in Israel.

1 Then David took counsel with the tribunes, and the centurions, and all the leaders.

2 And he said to the entire assembly of Israel: “If it pleases you, and if the words that I speak come from the Lord our God, let us send to the remainder of our brothers, in all the regions of Israel, and to the priests and Levites who live in the suburbs of the cities, so that they may gather to us.

3 And let us bring back the ark of our God to us. For we did not seek it during the days of Saul.”

4 And the entire multitude responded that it should be done. For the word had pleased all the people.

5 Therefore, David gathered all of Israel, from Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, so as to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

6 And David ascended with all the men of Israel to the hill of Kiriath-jearim, which is in Judah, so that he might bring from there the ark of the Lord God, sitting upon the Cherubim, where his name is invoked.

7 And they placed the ark of God upon a new cart from the house of Abinadab. Then Uzzah and his brother drove the cart.

8 Now David and all of Israel were playing before God, with all of their ability, in songs, and with harps, and psalteries, and timbrels, and cymbals, and trumpets.

9 And when they had arrived at the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out his hand, so that he might support the ark. For indeed, the ox being wanton had caused it to incline a little.

10 And so the Lord became angry against Uzzah. And he struck him down because he had touched the ark. And he died there before the Lord.

11 And David was greatly saddened because the Lord had divided Uzzah. And he called that place ‘the Division of Uzzah,’ even to the present day.

12 And then he feared God, at that time, saying: “How will I be able to bring in the ark of God to myself?”

13 And for this reason, he did not bring it to himself, that is, into the City of David. Instead, he turned aside to the house of Obededom, the Gittite.

14 Therefore, the ark of God dwelt in the house of Obededom for three months. And the Lord blessed his house and all that he had.

1 Also, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and cedar wood, and artisans of walls and of wood, so that they might build a house for him.

2 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom had been lifted up over his people Israel.

3 Also, David took other wives in Jerusalem. And he conceived sons and daughters.

4 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon,

5 Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,

6 as well as Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

7 Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

8 Then, hearing that David had been anointed as king over all of Israel, all the Philistines ascended so that they might seek him. But when David had heard of it, he went out to meet them.

9 Now the Philistines, arriving, spread out in the Valley of the Rephaim.

10 And so David consulted the Lord, saying, “Shall I ascend to the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Ascend, and I will deliver them into your hand.”

11 And when they had ascended to Baal-perazim, David struck them there, and he said: “God has divided my enemies by my hand, just as waters are divided.” And therefore the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.

12 And they left behind their gods in that place, and so David ordered them to be burned.

13 And then, at another time, the Philistines invaded, and they spread out in the valley.

14 And again, David consulted God. And God said to him: “You shall not ascend after them. Draw away from them. And you shall come against them opposite the balsam trees.

15 And when you hear a sound approaching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go forth to war. For God has gone forth before you, so that he may strike down the army of the Philistines.”

16 Therefore, David did just as God had instructed him. And he struck down the army of the Philistines, from Gibeon as far as Gazera.

17 And the name of David became well-known in all the regions. And the Lord placed the fear of him over all the nations.

1 Also, he made houses for himself in the City of David. And built a place for the ark of God, and he set up a tent for it.

2 Then David said: “It is illicit for anyone to carry the ark of God except the Levites, whom the Lord chose to carry it and to minister to himself, even unto eternity.”

3 And he gathered all of Israel in Jerusalem, so that the ark of God might be brought into its place, which he had prepared for it.

4 Certainly, there were both the sons of Aaron and the Levites:

5 From the sons of Kohath, Uriel was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred twenty.

6 From the sons of Merari: Asaiah was the leader, and his brothers were two hundred twenty.

7 From the sons of Gershom: Joel was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred thirty.

8 From the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah was the leader, and his brothers were two hundred.

9 From the sons of Hebron: Eliel was the leader, and his brothers were eighty.

10 From the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab was the leader, and his brothers were one hundred twelve.

11 And David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

12 And he said to them: “You who are the leaders of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brothers, and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that has been prepared for it.

13 Otherwise, as it was before, when the Lord struck us because you were not present, so also it might be now, if we do what is illicit.”

14 Therefore, the priests and the Levites were sanctified, so that they might carry the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15 And the sons of Levi took the ark of God, just as Moses had instructed, in accord with the word of the Lord, upon their shoulders by the bars.

16 And David spoke to the leaders of the Levites, so that they might appoint, from their brothers, singers with musical instruments, specifically, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, so that a joyful noise might resound on high.

17 And they appointed from the Levites: Heman, the son of Joel; and from his brothers, Asaph, the son of Berechiah; and truly, from their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan, the son of Kushaiah.

18 And with them were their brothers in the second rank: Zechariah, and Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jahiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, who were gatekeepers.

19 Now the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were sounding out with cymbals of brass.

20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah were singing mysteries with the psalteries.

21 Then Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah and Obededom, and Jeiel and Azaziah were singing a song of victory with the harps, for the octave.

22 Now Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was foremost over the prophecies, in order to mark out in advance the melodies. For indeed, he was very skillful.

23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were porters of the ark.

24 And the priests, Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, were sounding the trumpets before the ark of God. And Obededom and Jehiah were porters of the ark.

25 Therefore, David, and all those greater by birth of Israel, and the tribunes, went to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obededom with rejoicing.

26 And when God had assisted the Levites, who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they immolated seven bulls and seven rams.

27 Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the prophecy among the singers. But David was also clothed with a linen ephod.

28 And all of Israel were leading back the ark of the covenant of the Lord with jubilation, sounding out with the noise of horns, and trumpets, and cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.

29 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord had arrived in the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, gazing through a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.