1 Chronicles 23:1-32 The Levites Were Counted in Groups

 

The Levites Were Counted in Groups

1 Chronicles 23:1-32     1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

When David was old & full of [years,] he made his son, Solomon, king over Israel. And [David] gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests & the Levites.

Now, the Levites were [counted] from the age of 30 years & [older.] They were [counted 1 by 1 & were registered & their total was:] 38,000. [There] were 24,000 [Levites who] were [to look after] the work of the [Lord's] house. And 6,000 were officers & judges.

[Also,] 4,000 were [gate keepers.] 4,000 were [musicians to praise] the Lord with the instruments [that] I made to praise with, said David. And David divided the sons of Levi into [family groups] among [the descendants of:] Gershon, Kohath & Merari.

Of the Gershonites were: Laadan [a.k.a. Ladan] & Shimei. [Ladan's] sons [were:] Jehiel, the [leader,] Zetham & Joel, 3. [Shimei's] sons: Shelomith, [a.k.a. Shelomoth,] Haziel & Haran, 3. These were the [heads of the families] of Laadan.

[Some of Shimei's other descendants were:] Jahath, Zina, [a.k.a. Ziza & Zizah,] Jeush & Beriah. These 4 were [Shimei's descendants.] And Jahath was the [leader,] Zizah [2nd,] but Jeush & Beriah [didn't have] many sons. [so,] they were [counted as 1 family,] according to their father’s house.

[Kohath's sons:] Amran, Izhar, Hebron & Uzziel, 4. [Amram's] sons [were:] Aaron & Moses. Aaron [& his descendants were] separated, [so] he & his sons [could] sanctify the Most Holy Things forever & to burn incense before the Lord, to [serve] Him & to bless the [Lord God's] Name forever.

Now, [about] Moses, the man of God. [Moses'] sons were [considered as part] of the tribe of Levi. [Moses'] sons were: Gershom, [a.k.a. Gershon] & Eliezer. [Gershom's descendants were:] Shebuel, [a.k.a. Shubael, who] was the [leader.]

[Eliezer's descendant was:] Rehabiah, the [leader.] Eliezer [didn't] have [any] other sons, but Rehabiah [had] many sons. Of [Izhar's] sons: Shelomith [was the leader.]

Of [Hebron's] sons: Jeriah, [leader;] Amariah, 2nd; Jahaziel, 3rd; Jekameam, 4th. [Uzziel's] sons: Micah, [leader;] & Jesiah, [a.k.a. Ishiah,] 2nd. [Merari's] sons: Mahli & Mushi. [Mahli's] sons: Eleazar & Kish. And Eleazar died & [didn't have] sons, but [only] daughters.

Their [relatives of] the sons of Kish [married] them. [Mushi's] sons: Mahli, Eder & Jeremoth, [a.k.a. Jerimoth,] 3.

These were [Levi's descendants, according to their father's families & even their leaders,] as they were counted by the number of names [individually registered, who] were [to look after] the work of the [Lord's] house from the age of 20 years & [older.]

For David said, The Lord God of Israel [has] given rest [from war] to the people, [so] they may [live] in Jerusalem forever. And also, to the Levites, [so] they [no longer have to] carry the tabernacle or any [of its articles] of it for the service [related to it.]

By the [the time of the] last words of David, the Levites were [counted] from 20 years old & [older.]  [Since] their [duty] was to [assist Aaron's] sons for the service of the [Lord's] house.

[They were in charge of] the [courtyards,] the [side rooms] & purifying all the holy things & [doing all the other] work & service of the [Lord God's] house.

[They were in charge of] both the shewbread & the fine flour for [the meat/grain] offering, the unleavened cakes & [for the baking, mixing & types of measurement] & size of all that is baked in a pan or fried.

[Also,] they were to stand every morning & [evening] to thank & praise the Lord; to offer all [the] burnt sacrifices to the Lord [on] the Sabbaths, New Moons & on [regularly scheduled] feasts, [in the proper way prescribed,] by number, continually before the Lord [like they were] commanded [to do.]

[So, the Levites were in] charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, the Holy Place, & [in] charge of Aaron & their [priest descendants for] the service of the [Lord's] house.

1 Chronicles 22:1-19 David's Preparing the Materials to Build the House of the Lord

David's Preparing the Materials to Build the House of the Lord

1 Chronicles 22:1-19   1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God & this is the altar of the burnt [offerings] for Israel. And David commanded to gather together the strangers [who] were in the land of Israel.

And [David put] masons to [cut out] stones to build the house of God. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails, for the gate doors & the [fittings] & brass in abundance, [too much to weigh] & also, cedar trees in abundance.

For the Zidonians & [those] of Tyre, brought much cedar wood to David. And David said, Solomon, my son, is young & [inexperienced] & the house to be [built] for the Lord must be [exceedingly magnificent,] of fame & glory throughout all countries.

Therefore, I will now [prepare] for it. So, David prepared abundantly [for it,] before his death. Then, [David] called for Solomon, his son & [commanded] him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel.

And David said to Solomon, My son, it was on my mind for me to build a house [for] the Name of the Lord, my God. But the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly & [have] made [large] wars.

You shall not build a house [for] My Name, because you have shed [too] much blood upon the earth in My sight. [Watch,] a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest from all his enemies [around him.]

For his name shall be Solomon & I will give peace & [quiet] to Israel [during his life.] *He shall build a house for My Name & He shall be My son & I will be His Father & I will establish the throne of His kingdom over Israel forever.

[Matthew 3:16-17 *And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up [immediately] out of the water & the heavens were opened to Him & He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove & lighting upon Him. And a voice from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.] Now, My son, [may] the Lord be with you & [have] you prosper & build the house of the Lord, your God, [like] He has said of you.

Only [when] the Lord [puts] you in charge [of] Israel, [He will] give you wisdom & understanding, [so] you may keep the Law of the Lord, your God. Then, you shall prosper, if you [pay attention] to fulfill the [mandates] & judgments [that] the Lord [gave] Moses [for] Israel.

Be strong & of good courage. [Don't worry or be discouraged.] [watch,] now I've [gone to great] trouble & I have prepared for the [Lord's] house: 100,000 talents of gold, 1 million talents of silver & brass & iron [too much to weigh, because of the] abundance.

I have also prepared timber & stone & you may add [to it.] [Also,] there [is an] abundance of workmen [for] you: [cutters & those who work with] stone & timber & all [types of skilled workers,] for every [type] of work.

[Because there was so much,] there is no number [recorded] for the [amount of:] gold, silver, brass & iron. Therefore, arise & [begin the work & may] the Lord [God] be with you.

Also, David commanded [Israel's] princes to help his son, Solomon, saying, [Isn't] the Lord, your God, with you? Hasn't He given you rest [from war] on every side?

For [God] has [delivered] the inhabitants of the land into [my] hand & the land is [under control] before the Lord & His people. Now, set your hearts & your souls to seek the Lord, your God.

Therefore, arise & build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord & [God’s] Holy vessels, into [His] house, that is to be built [in] the Name of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30 David Commanded a Census Without Asking God's Will

 

David Commanded a Census Without Asking God's Will

1 Chronicles 21:1-30   1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

And Satan [rose] up against Israel & provoked David to [count] Israel. And David said to Joab & the rulers of the people, Go [count] Israel from Beer Sheba, even to Dan & bring the [census total] of them to me, [so] I know it.

And Joab answered, [May] the Lord [God multiply] His people 100 times [over what they are,] but my lord, the king, aren't they all my lord's servants? Then, why [do you,] my lord, require this thing? Why will [you] cause this [guilt in] Israel?

[Still] the king's word prevailed against Joab. [For this reason,] Joab departed & went throughout all Israel & came [back] to Jerusalem. And Joab gave the [census total] of the people to David.

There were 1,100,000 men in Israel [who fought with] the sword. There were 470,000 men in Judah [who fought with] the sword. But he [didn't count the families] of Levi & Benjamin, [because] the king's [command] was abominable to Joab.

And God was displeased with this [command to take a census.] Therefore, [God struck] Israel. And David said to God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I [beg] You, [take away the guilt] of [me,] Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.

And the Lord [spoke] to Gad, David's seer, saying, Go tell David, saying, The Lord [said this,] I offer you 3 things. Choose 1 of them, [so] I may do it to you.  [1 Samuel 9:9 (Before [that] time in Israel, When a man went to inquire of God, he [said this,] Come, let’s go to the seer: for he is now call a Prophet, [who] was [before] called a Seer.)]

So, Gad [went] to David & said, The Lord [said this,] You [need to] choose either 3 year's famine, [or] 3 months to be destroyed before [your enemies,] while the sword on your enemies overtakes you,

or else 3 days [of] the sword of the Lord, even [with] pestilence in the land & the Angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the [coastal territory] of Israel. Now [decide] what I shall [go back & tell the Lord [God,] Who sent me.

And David said to Gad, I'm in [deep distress, so] let me fall into the hand of the Lord. For His mercies are very great: but [don't] let me fall into the hand of [men.] So, the Lord sent pestilence on Israel & 70,000 men of Israel [died.]

And God sent an Angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. [While the Angel] was destroying, the Lord [saw] & He [withdrew the disaster] & said to the Angel [who was destroying it,] It is enough. [Stop,] your hand now.

And the Angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite. And David [looked up] & saw the Angel of the Lord between the earth & heaven with [with] a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem.

Then David & [Israel's] elders, who [were] dressed in sackcloth [a sign of mourning,] fell [& bowed down] on their faces. And David said to God, [Wasn't it me, who] commanded the people to be [counted]?

I [am the one who has] sinned & done evil; but as for these sheep, what have they  done? O Lord, my God, I pray [that] You let Your hand be on me & on my father's [family;] but not on Your people, that they should be plagued.

Then, the Angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up & [build] an altar to the Lord in the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite.

[After what] Gad [said] in the name of the Lord, David went up & Ornan turned back & saw the Angel & [Ornan's] 4 sons with him, [who] hid themselves. Now, Ornan [had been] threshing wheat.

And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked & saw David & went out of the threshing floor & bowed himself to David, with his face to the ground. Then, David said to Ornan, Grant me [a] place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar [there] to the Lord.

You shall grant it [to] me for the full price, [so] the plague may be [withdrawn] from the people. And Ornan said to David, Take it to you & let my lord, the king, do [what] is good in his eyes.

[Look, I'll] also give you the oxen for burnt offerings & the threshing [tools] for wood & wheat for the [meat/grain] offering. [I'll] give it all [to you.] And king David said to Ornan, [No,] but I will [surely] buy it for the full price. I will not take [what is yours] for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

So, David gave to Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the place. And David built an altar to the Lord there & offered burnt offerings & peace offerings & called on the Lord.

And [the Lord God] answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of [the] burnt offering. And the Lord commanded the Angel & he put his sword [back] into [its] sheath again.

When David saw that the Lord had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. For the tabernacle of the Lord, [that] Moses made in the wilderness & the altar of the burnt offering, were in the high place at Gibeon [during] that season.

But David could not go [in front of it] to inquire of God: for he was afraid, because of the sword of the Angel of the Lord [God.]

1 Chronicles 20:1-8 The Israelites Fought with the Giant's Sons

 

The Israelites Fought with the Giant's Sons

1 Chronicles 20:1-8      1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

It [happened in the spring,] at the time [when] kings go out to battle, Joab led [out the powerful] army & [destroyed] the country of the children [people] of Ammon & came & [attacked] Rabbah. But David [waited in] Jerusalem.

Joab [defeated] Rabbah & destroyed it. David took the crown off their [king's] head & found it [weighed 1 talent of gold.

[Also,] there were precious stones [on the crown.] It was [put] upon David's head & he also brought [lots of plunder] out of the city. And [David] brought out the people [who] were in the city & [put them to work with:] saws. [iron picks] & axes.

And David [did the same] with all the cities of the [Ammonite people.] And David & all the people returned to Jerusalem. It [happened] after this, war at Gezer arose with the Philistines. At [that] time, Sibbechai, the Hushathite, [killed] Sippai, [who was a descendant] of the giant & [the Philistines] were [brought under control by force.]

And there was [another] war with the Philistines & Elhanan, [Jair's] son, [killed] Lahmi, [Goliath's] brother, the Gitite, whose [rod of his] spear was like a weaver's beam.

[After that,] there was [still another] war at Gath, where [there] was a [extremely tall] man [who had] 24 fingers, 6 on each hand & [24] toes, 6 on each foot. He also was a [descendant] of the giant.

But when he defied Israel, Jonathan, the son of Shimea [a.k.a. Shimei,] David's brother, [killed] him. These [were descendants from the giants] in Gath & they [died] by the hand of David & his servants.

1 Chronicles 19:1-19 David Sent Comforters to Hanum When His Father Died

 

David Sent Comforters to Hanum When His Father Died

1 Chronicles   19:1-19    1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

It [happened,] after this, Nahash, the king of the children [people] of Ammon died & his son [ruled] in his place. And David said, I will [show] kindness to Hanum, [Nahash'] son, because his father [showed] kindness to me.

And David sent messengers to comfort [Hanum about] his father. So, [David's] servants came into the land of the children [people] of Ammon to Hanum, to comfort him.

But the [Ammonite] princes said to Hanum, Do you think that David honors your father, that he has sent comforters to you? Aren't his servants [here] to search, & spy out the land to overthrow [it]? [For this reason,] Hanun, [seized] David's servants & shaved them & cut off their [clothes] by their [rear] & sent them away.

When they were certain, David [was] told how the men were [treated.] And [David] sent messengers to meet them: for the men were [very embarrassed.] And king David said, [Stay] at Jericho until your beards [are] grown & then return.

And when the [Ammonite people] saw they [had] made themselves [repulsive to] David, [then,] Hanum & the [people] of Ammon sent 1,000 talents of silver to hire [themselves:] chariots & horsemen out of: Mesopotamia, Syria Maachah &  Zobah.

So, they hired 32,000 chariots & the king of [Syria] Maachah & his people came & pitched [tents in front of] Medeba. The [people] of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities & came to battle.

And when David heard of [this,] he sent Joab & all the [army] of mighty men. And the children [people] of Ammon, came out & put them in battle [formation in front of] the gate of the city. And the kings [who] were [there,] were by themselves in the field.

Now, when Joab saw that the [soldiers were positioned for] battle against him, [in front of & behind them, Joab] chose [soldiers] out of all the [best] of Israel & put them in [battle formation] against the Syrians.

[Joab] delivered the rest of the people to the hand of Abishai, his brother & they set themselves in [rows] against the children [people] of Ammon. And [Joab] said, If the Syrians [are] too strong for me, then you shall help me. But, if the [people] of Ammon [are] too strong for you, then I will help you.

Be of good courage & let's behave valiantly for our people & for the cities of our God. And let the Lord do what is good in His sight. So, Joab & the [troops] with him [came close in front of] the Syrians to battle & the [Syrians] fled before [Joab.]

And when the children [people] of Ammon saw that the Syrians [had] fled, they [also] fled, before Abishai, his brother & entered into the city. Then, Joab came to Jerusalem.

And when the Syrians saw [they had been defeated by] Israel, they sent messengers & [brought] the Syrians beyond the river & Shophach, the captain of [Hadarezer's] army, went [in front of] them.

And David was told & he gathered all Israel & [crossed] over [the] Jordan [River] & came upon them & [put them in battle formation] against [the Syrians.] So, when David had put [them in battle formation,] the Syrians fought with him, but the Syrians fled [in front of] Israel.

And David [killed] 7,000 Syrians who fought in chariots, 40,000 footmen & killed Shophach, the captain of [Hadarezer's army] who [had gone in the front of] them.

And when [Hadarezer's] servants saw they were [defeated before] Israel, they made peace with David & became his servants. The Syrians [wouldn't] help the [people] of Ammon anymore.

1 Chronicles 18:1-17 Some of King David's Conquests

 

Some of King David's Conquests

1 Chronicles 18:1-17    1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

It [happened] after this, that David [attacked] the Philistines & [was in control of] them & [captured from] the [hands] of the Philistines: Gath & [its] towns. [David attacked] Moab & the Moabites became David's servants & [they] brought gifts [a.k.a. tribute.]

And David [attacked] Hadarezer, [a.k.a. Hadadezer, Zobath's] king, [as far as] Hamath, as he went to [establish] his [power] by the Euphrates River. David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen & 20,000 footmen.

David also [hamstrung] all the chariot horses, but [saved] 100 [horses for the] chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer, [Zobah's] king, David [struck down] 22,000 [Syrian] men.

Then, David put [military posts] in Damascus, [the capital of Syria] & the Syrians became David's servants & brought gifts. [Like this,] the Lord [God] preserved David [wherever] he went.

And David took the gold shields on [Hadarezer's] servants & brought them to Jerusalem. [David did similarly to the] cities of Hadarezer from Tibhath & from Chun. David brought [lots of] brass [that] Solomon [used to make] the [brass] sea, the pillars & the brass [articles for the tabernacle.]

When Tou [a.k.a. Toi, Hamath's] king, heard how David had [defeated] all the [army] of Hadarezer, [Zobath's] king, [Tou] sent his son, Hadoram, [a.k.a. Joram,] to David to [ask about] his welfare & to congratulate him, because he fought against Hadarezer & [defeated] him.

(For Hadarezer had war with Tou & Hadaram brought with him all [types] of gold, silver & brass [articles.] King David also dedicated them to the Lord [God,] with the silver & gold he brought from these nations; from: Edom, Moab, the children [people] of Ammon, the Philistines & from Amalek.

[Also,] Abishai, [Zeruiah's] son, [killed] 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put [military posts] in Edom & all the Edomites became David's servants. [Like this] the Lord [God] preserved David [wherever] he went.

So, David [ruled] over all Israel & executed judgment & justice among all his people. And Joab, [Zeruiah's] son, was over the [army.] And Jehoshaphat, [Ahilud's] son, [was] recorder.

And Zadok, [Ahitub's] son & Abimelech, [Abiathar's] son, were the priests. And Shavsha was [secretary.] And Benaiah, [Jehoiada's] son, was over the Cherethites & Pelethites & [David's] sons were chief [officers around] the king.

1 Chronicles 17:1-27 King David Wants to Build a Tabernacle of Cedar for God

 

King David Wants to Build a Tabernacle of Cedar for God

1 Chronicles 17:1-27     1 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks]

It [happened,] as David sat in his house, that [David] said to Nathan, the prophet, [Look,] I [live] in a house [made] of cedars, but the Ark of the Covenant remains under curtains [in a tent.]

Then, Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you. And it [happened that] same night, that the Word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go & tell David, My servant, the Lord [said this,] You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.

For I [haven't] dwelt in a house, since I brought Israel up, [out of Egypt until] this day; but have gone from tent to tent & from 1 tabernacle to another.

[Wherever] I have walked with all [of] Israel, [have I spoken] any word [to] the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying, Why haven't you built Me a house of cedars?

Therefore, you shall now say to My servant, David, The Lord of Hosts [said this,] I took you from the [sheep pens,] even from following the sheep, [so] you should be [the] ruler over My people, Israel. And I have been with you [wherever] you have walked & have [destroyed] your enemies before you.

[I] have [given you a famous] name like the great men [who are on] the earth. Also, I will [appoint] a place for My people, Israel & will plant them, [so] they [live] in their place & shall [not] be moved [anymore.]

Neither shall the children of [the wicked people oppress] them anymore, [like they did] at the beginning, since the time I commanded judges to be over My people, Israel. [Also,] I will [bring] all your enemies [under control.]

[Also,] I tell you that the Lord [God] will build you a house. And it [shall happen,] when you [have died] to be with your [forefathers,] I will raise up your [descendants] after you, which shall be [from] your sons. And I will establish his kingdom.

[Matthew 1:6 And Jesse [fathered] David, the king. David, the king [fathered] Solomon of her [who] had been the wife of [Uriah.] He shall build Me a house & I will establish his throne forever.

I will be his Father & he shall be My son. I will not take My mercy away from him, [like] I took it away from [Saul,] before you. * But I will settle him in My house & My kingdom forever:  His throne shall be established [forever] more.

[Matthew 1:18-21 Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was [like] this: When His mother, Mary, was [engaged] to Joseph, before they [had been intimate,] she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost, [a.k.a. Holy Spirit.]

Then, Joseph, her husband, being a just man & not willing to make her a public example, [thought] to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, [don’t be fearful] to take to you, Mary, your wife.

For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son & you shall call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.]

Nathan [spoke] to David according to these words & all this vision. And David, the king, came & sat before the Lord & said, Who am I, O Lord God & what is my [family,] that You have brought me [to this place?]

And [still] this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; for You have also spoken of Your servant's [descendants] for a [long time] to come & have [considered] me [like a man of notable honor,] O Lord God.

What more can, [I,] David [say] to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. O Lord, for Your servant's sake & according to Your Own heart, You [have] done all this greatness, [by] making all these great things known.

O Lord [God,] there [are] none like You & neither is there any God [besides] You, according to all that we have heard with our [own] ears. And what 1 nation [on] the earth is like Your people, Israel, whom [the Lord] God went to redeem to be His own people?

To make You a name of greatness & terribleness & by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You have redeemed out of Egypt? [Joshua 24:11-13 And you went over [the] Jordan [River] & came to Jericho.

And the men of Jericho fought against you, the: Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites & the Jebusites. And I delivered them into your hand.

And I sent the hornet before you [came,] which [drove] them out before you, even the 2 kings of the Amorites; but not with your sword, nor with your bow. And I have given you a land for which you didn’t labor & cities which you [didn’t build] & you [live] in them. You eat [from] the vineyards & [olive groves, that] you [didn’t] plant.]

For You have [made] Your people Israel, Your Own people forever & You, Lord, became their God. Therefore now, Lord, let the thing You have spoken [about] Your servant & his [descendants] be established forever & do as You have said.

Let it be established, [so] Your [Holy] Name may be magnified forever, saying, The Lord of Hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel.

And let the [descendants] of David, Your servant be established before You. For You, O my God, [have] told Your servant, that You will build him a house. Therefore, Your servant [has] found [it] in his heart to pray before You.

And now, Lord, You [alone] are God & have promised this goodness to Your servant. Therefore, now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, [so] it may be before You forever. For You [blessed,] O Lord & it shall be blessed forever.

[Revelation 22:16-17 I, Jesus, have sent [My] Angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root & the Offspring of David & the Bright & Morning Star. And the Spirit & the bride say, Come. And let him [who hears] say, Come. And let him [who is thirsty,] come. And [whoever is willing,] let him take the Water of Life freely.]