1 Chronicles 26-29

Complete Jewish Bible

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:

Of the Korchim: Meshelemyahu the son of Kore, of the descendants of Asaf. ² Meshelemyahu had sons: Z’kharyahu the firstborn, Y’dia‘el the second, Z’vadyahu the third, Yatni’el the fourth, ³ ‘Eilam the fifth, Y’hochanan the sixth and Ely’ho‘einai the seventh.

⁴ ‘Oved-Edom had sons: Sh’ma‘yah the firstborn, Y’hozavad the second son,

Yo’ach the third, Sakhar the fourth, N’tan’el the fifth, ⁵ ‘Ammi’el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, and Pe‘ultai the eighth; for God blessed him. ⁶ To his son Sh’ma‘yah were born sons who ruled over their father’s clan, because they were strong, brave men. ⁷ The sons of Sh’ma‘yah: ‘Otni, Refa’el and his brothers ‘Oved and Elzavad, valiant men; also Elihu and S’makhyahu. ⁸ These were all from the sons of ‘Oved-Edom, they and their sons and brothers, men of ability and strength for service, sixty-two from ‘Oved-Edom.

⁹ Meshelemyahu had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. ¹⁰ Hosah, from the descendants of M’rari, had sons: Shimri the chief, for although he was not the firstborn, nevertheless his father made him the chief; ¹¹ Hilkiyahu the second, T’valyahu the third and Z’kharyahu the fourth; all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

¹² These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their chief men, had duties, just as their kinsmen did, serving in the house of Adonai. ¹³ Great or small, they cast lots according to their clans for every gate. ¹⁴ The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemyahu. Then they cast lots for his son Z’kharyahu, a sensible adviser, and he was allotted the north gate. ¹⁵ ‘Oved-Edom was allotted the south gate and his sons the storehouse. ¹⁶ Shupim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallekhet Gate at the highway that goes up, with corresponding guards. ¹⁷ For the east there were six L’vi’im, for the north four a day, for the south four a day, for the Storehouse two and two, ¹⁸ while for the courtyard to the west there were four at the highway and two at the courtyard itself. ¹⁹ These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, consisting of descendants of the Korchim and descendants of M’rari.

²⁰ Of the L’vi’im, Achiyah was responsible for the stores in the house of God and the stores of holy articles. ²¹ The sons of La‘dan, the descendants of the Gershuni belonging to La‘dan, the heads of clans belonging to La‘dan the Gershuni: Yechi’eli; ²² and the sons of Yechi’eli: Zetam and Yo’el his brother, over the stores in the house of Adonai. ²³ Of the ‘Amrami, of the Yitz’hari, of the Hevroni, of the ‘Uzi’eli, ²⁴ Sh’vu’el the descendant of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was in charge of the stores.

²⁵ His kinsmen: from Eli‘ezer: Rechavyahu his son, Yesha‘yahu his son, Yoram his son, Zikhri his son and Shlomit his son. ²⁶ This Shlomit and his kinsmen were in charge of all the stores of the dedicated things that David the king, the clan heads, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. ²⁷ From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house of Adonai. ²⁸ Also included was all that Sh’mu’el the seer, Sha’ul the son of Kish, Avner the son of Ner and Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah had dedicated. In short, if anyone had dedicated anything, Shlomit and his brothers were in charge of it.

²⁹ Of the Yitz’hari: K’nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra’el in regard to outside business as officers and judges. ³⁰ Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra’el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business of Adonai and the service of the king. ³¹ Yeriyah was chief of the Hevroni according to their generations by clans. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the Hevroni were sought out, and there were found among them strong, brave men at Ya‘zer in Gil‘ad. ³² King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re’uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M’nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

27 The people of Isra’el, registered according to their clan leaders, were drafted for army duty under captains of thousands and of hundreds, and officers serving the king, in divisions of 24,000 each, for month-long terms of duty covering all the months of the year.

² Over the first division, for the first month, was Yashov‘am the son of Zavdi’el; there were 24,000 in his division. ³ He was from the descendants of Peretz and was in charge of all the army captains during the first month.

⁴ Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.

⁵ The third army commander, for the third month, was B’nayah the son of Y’hoyada the chief cohen; there were 24,000 in his division. ⁶ This is the same B’nayah who was one of the thirty heroes and was over the thirty; his son ‘Ammizavad was in his division.

⁷ The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was ‘Asah’el the brother of Yo’av, with Z’vadyah his son after him; there were 24,000 in his division.

⁸ The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhut from Yizrach; there were 24,000 in his division.

⁹ The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was ‘Ira the son of ‘Ikesh from T’koa; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹⁰ The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the P’loni, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹¹ The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibkhai the Hushati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹² The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Avi‘ezer from ‘Anatot, from the Ben-Y’mini; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹³ The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N’tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹⁴ The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B’nayah from Pir‘aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹⁵ The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the N’tofati, from ‘Otni’el; there were 24,000 in his division.

¹⁶ Over the the tribes of Isra’el:

These were the commanders of the tribes of Isra’el.

²³ But David did not include in the registration those twenty years old or less, because Adonai had said he would increase Isra’el’s numbers like the stars in the sky. ²⁴ Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah began a census of these, but he did not finish, and wrath came upon Isra’el because of this; moreover the number was not entered into the Annals of King David.

²⁵ In charge of the king’s supplies was ‘Azmavet the son of ‘Adi’el. In charge of the supplies in the countryside, the cities, the villages and the fortresses was Y’honatan the son of ‘Uziyahu. ²⁶ In charge of farmers working the land was ‘Ezri the son of K’luv. ²⁷ In charge of the vineyards was Shim‘i the Ramati, while Zavdi the Shifmi was responsible for the produce from the vineyards for the wine-cellars. ²⁸ In charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the Sh’felah was Ba‘al-Hanan from G’derah, while Yo’ash was put over the storehouses for olive oil. ²⁹ In charge of the herds of livestock feeding in the Sharon was Shirtai from the Sharon, while Shafat the son of Adlai was put over herds in the valleys. ³⁰ Ovil the Yishma‘eli was put over the camels, Yechd’yahu the Meronoti over the donkeys ³¹ and Yaziz the Hagri over the flocks [of sheep and goats]. All of these were responsible for King David’s property.

³² Y’honatan David’s uncle was an adviser, a man of understanding and a secretary. Yechi’el the son of Hachmoni took care of the king’s sons. ³³ Achitofel was an adviser to the king. Hushai the Archi was the king’s confidant; ³⁴ and after Achitofel were Y’hoyada the son of B’nayah and Evyatar. Yo’av was commander of the king’s army.

28 David assembled in Yerushalayim all the leaders of Isra’el — the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the divisions serving the king, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the supervisors over the property and livestock of the king, along with his sons, the officials, the warrior-heroes, and anyone else who was a leader. ² Then David the king rose to his feet and said: “My kinsmen and my people! Listen to me! I set my heart on building a house where the ark for the covenant of Adonai could remain at rest. It would have been God’s footstool, and I prepared to build it. ³ But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, you have shed blood.’ ⁴ However, Adonai the God of Isra’el chose me out of my father’s whole family to be king over Isra’el forever; for he chose Y’hudah to be the leader; and in the house of Y’hudah, in the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, it was his pleasure to make me king over all Isra’el; ⁵ and of all my sons — for Adonai has given me many sons — he has chosen Shlomo my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Adonai over Isra’el.

⁶ “Moreover, he said to me, ‘Shlomo your son will build my house and courtyards, for I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him. ⁷ I will establish his kingdom forever, if he uses his strength to obey my mitzvot and abide by my rulings, as [he is doing] currently.’ ⁸ Now therefore, in the sight of all Isra’el, the community of Adonai, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the mitzvot of Adonai your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever.

⁹ “As for you, Shlomo my son, know the God of your father. Serve him wholeheartedly and with desire in your being; for Adonai searches all hearts and understands all the inclinations of people’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever. ¹⁰ See now that Adonai has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; so be strong, and do it!”

¹¹ Then David gave Shlomo his son the designs for the hall [of the temple], its buildings, its supply areas, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the place for the ark-cover; ¹² also the designs for everything he had been given by the Spirit — for the courtyards of the house of Adonai, for all the rooms surrounding it, for the storehouses in the house of God, for the storehouses for the holy articles, ¹³ and for the areas set aside for the cohanim and the L’vi’im; [arrangements] for the work involved in the service of the house of Adonai and for all the articles needed for the service of the house of Adonai; ¹⁴ [lists] of the weights of gold needed for the gold items to be used for various purposes, and the weights of silver needed for the silver items to be used for various purposes — ¹⁵ the weight of the gold needed for the gold menorahs, the weight needed for each menorah and for its lamps; and for the menorahs of silver, the weight of silver needed for each menorah and for its lamps, according to the way each menorah was to be used; ¹⁶ also the gold by weight for the tables for the showbread, for each table; and silver for the tables made of silver; ¹⁷ the gold for the pure gold forks, basins and jars, and for the gold bowls by weight for each bowl; also for the silver bowls by weight for each bowl; ¹⁸ and for the incense altar, refined gold by weight; and gold for the design of the chariot and the k’ruvim with their wings spread out to cover the ark for the covenant of Adonai. ¹⁹ “All this is in writing, as Adonai, with his hand on me, has given me good sense in working out these detailed plans.”

²⁰ Then David said to Shlomo his son, “Be strong, be bold, and do it! Don’t be afraid or become discouraged! For Adonai, God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you until all the work for the service in the house of Adonai has been finished. ²¹ See, there are the divisions of the cohanim and L’vi’im for all the service in the house of God. For every kind of work, you will have with you every man who is willing and skilled, for every kind of service. Also the captains and all the people will be completely at your disposal.”

29 To the whole community, David the king said, “Shlomo my son is the only one God has chosen. But he is still young and inexperienced, whereas the work to be done is great; because the palace is not for anyone human, but for Adonai, God. ² Now I have used all my strength to prepare for the house of my God the gold needed for the articles of gold, the silver for the articles of silver, the bronze for the articles of bronze, the iron for the articles of iron, the wood for the articles of wood, onyx stones, gemstones to be set, brilliant stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, as well as marble in abundance. ³ In addition, because my desire is set on the house of my God, since I have my own supply of gold and silver, I herewith give it to the house of my God — over and above everything I have prepared for the holy house — ⁴ ninety-nine tons of gold from the gold of Ofir and 231 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the houses. ⁵ The gold is for whatever is to be made of gold, and the silver is for whatever is to be made of silver; and they may be used for anything to be made by craftsmen. Therefore, who offers willingly to consecrate himself today to Adonai?”

⁶ Then the clan leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Isra’el, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, along with the supervisors over the king’s work offered willingly. ⁷ They gave for the service of the house of God 165 tons of gold, 330 tons of silver, 594 tons of bronze and 3,300 tons of iron. ⁸ Those who had precious stones gave them to the storehouse of the house of Adonai, supervised by Yechi’el the Gershuni.

⁹ The people were filled with joy, because they had given willingly — wholeheartedly they had given willingly to Adonai; and David the king too was completely filled with joy, ¹⁰ as he blessed Adonai before the entire community: “Blessed be you, Adonai, the God of Isra’el our father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, Adonai, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, Adonai; and you are exalted as head over all. ¹² Riches and honor come from you, you rule everything, in your hand is power and strength, you have the capacity to make great and to give strength to all. ¹³ Therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.

¹⁴ “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to give so willingly in this way? For all things come from you, so that we have given you what is already yours. ¹⁵ For in your presence we are temporary residents, just passing through, as all our ancestors were — our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. ¹⁶ Adonai our God, all these supplies that we have prepared in order to build you a house for your holy name come from your own hand, all of it is already yours. ¹⁷ I know also, my God, that you test the heart and take pleasure in integrity. As for myself, I have given all these things willingly, in the integrity of my heart; and now, with joy, I have seen your people who are present here give willingly to you. ¹⁸ Adonai, God of Avraham, Yitz’chak and Isra’el our ancestors, guard forever the inclinations of the thoughts in the hearts of your people; direct their hearts to you; ¹⁹ and give to Shlomo my son wholeheartedness to obey your mitzvot, instructions and rules, to do all these things, and to build the palace for which I have made provision.”

²⁰ Then David said to all the community, “Now bless Adonai your God.” All the community blessed Adonai, the God of their ancestors, bowing their heads and prostrating themselves before Adonai and before the king. ²¹ On the following day they presented sacrifices to Adonai and offered burnt offerings to Adonai — a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings — and sacrifices in abundance for all Isra’el. ²² They ate and drank before Adonai that day with great joy.

Then, for the second time, they made Shlomo the son of David king, anointing him before Adonai to be king, and Tzadok to be cohen. ²³ Shlomo sat on the throne of Adonai as king in place of David his father and prospered, and all Isra’el obeyed him. ²⁴ All the leaders, the warrior-heroes and likewise the sons of King David submitted themselves to Shlomo the king. ²⁵ Adonai gave Shlomo exceedingly great power, in full view of all Isra’el, and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been seen on any king before him in Isra’el.

²⁶ Now David the son of Yishai ruled over all Isra’el. ²⁷ The duration of his reign over Isra’el was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hevron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Yerushalayim. ²⁸ Then he died, at a ripe old age, full of years, riches and honor; and Shlomo his son reigned in his place. ²⁹ The activities of David the king, from first to last, are written in the records of Sh’mu’el the seer, Natan the prophet and Gad the seer, ³⁰ with all his reign and his power, and the events that he, Isra’el and the kingdoms of other countries experienced.