Solomon's Family
10 Now Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 15 The sons of Josiah were Johanan the firstborn, and the second was Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 16 The sons of Jehoiakim were Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son. 17 The sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner, were Shealtiel his son, 18 and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah. 19 The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister, 20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah and Jushabhesed, five. 21 The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jesaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah. 22 The descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah, and the sons of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat, six. 23 The sons of Neariah were Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam, three. 24 The sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani, seven.

1 Chronicles 4 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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Judah's Family
1 The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur and Shobal. 2 Reaiah the son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. 3 These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. And the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi. 4 Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. 5 Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. 7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar and Ethnan. 8 Koz was the father of Anub and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." 10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that no harm would come to me!" And God granted his request. 11 Chelub the brother of Shuhah was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Bethrapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Recah. 13 The sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. And the sons of Othniel were Hathath and Meonothai. 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah was the father of Joab the father of Charashim. They were craftsmen. 15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah and Naam. And the son of Elah was Kenaz. 16 The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph and Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel. 17 The sons of Ezra were Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. And she bore Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18 His wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. 19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20 The sons of Shimon were Amnon and Rinnah, Benhanan and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Benzoheth. 21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers at Bethashbea, 22 and Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Joash, Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubilehem. These are ancient records. 23 These were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah who lived there and worked for the king. 24 The sons of Simeon were Nemuel and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul. 25 Shallum, Mibsam and Mishma were his sons. 26 The sons of Mishma were Hammuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son. 27 Now Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many sons, nor did all their family multiply like the sons of Judah. 28 They lived at Beersheba, Moladah and Hazarshual, 29 at Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 at Bethmarcaboth, Hazarsusim, Bethbirei, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David. 32 And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities. 33 And all their villages that were around the same cities as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and their genealogy. 34 Meshobab and Jamlech and Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 and Joel and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36 and Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah. 38 These mentioned by name were leaders in their families. Their fathers' houses increased greatly. 39 They went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, looking for pasture for their flocks. 40 They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad, quiet and peaceful. The Hamites had lived there previously. 41 These, recorded by name, came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, attacking the Meunites who lived there, utterly destroying them, and living in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 From them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men went to Mount Seir, with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders. 43 They destroyed the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.

1 Chronicles 5 - RWB Paraphrase (26 V)
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The Sons Of Reuben
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, and though he was the firstborn, because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel. So he is not enrolled in the genealogy as having the birthright. 2 Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph. 3 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile. He was leader of the Reubenites. 7 His kinsmen by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah. 8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baalmeon. 9 He settled to the east as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the Euphrates River, because they had so many cattle in the land of Gilead. 10 In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they occupied their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.

The Sons Of Gad
11 Now the sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah. 12 Joel was the chief and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 The kinsmen of their fathers' households were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14 These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz, 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers' households. 16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon, as far as their borders. 17 All of these were enrolled in the genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. 18 The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. 19 They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20 They cried out to the LORD for help against the Hagrites and all who were with them, and they were given into their hand because He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. 21 They took away their cattle, 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 men. 22 God was with them and many fell before them. And they settled in this place until the exile.

The Sons Of The Half Tribe Of Manasseh
23 The sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land from Bashan to Baalhermon, Senir and Mount Hermon. They were numerous. 24 These were the heads of their fathers' households: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men and heads of their fathers' households. 25 But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day.

1 Chronicles 6 - RWB Paraphrase (81 V)
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The Sons of Levi
1 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas became the father of Abishua, 5 and Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi, 6 and Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth, 7 Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub, 8 and Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz, 9 and Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan, 10 and Johanan became the father of Azariah. He served as the priest in the house which Solomon built in Jerusalem. 11 And Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub. 12 And Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum. 13 And Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah. 14 And Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak. 15 And Jehozadak went along when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem away into exile by Nebuchadnezzar. 16 The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath and Merari. 17 These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' households. 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 were Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son and Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth. 26 The sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son and Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel were Joel the firstborn, and Abijah the second. 29 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 Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark rested there. 32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they served in their office according to their order. 33 These are those who served with their sons. From the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, 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 Heman's brother Asaph stood at his right hand, even 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 On the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari. 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 Bani, the son of Shemer, 47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. 48 Their kinsmen the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. 49 But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua, 51 Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 54 Now these are their settlements according to their camps within their borders. To the sons of Aaron of the families of the Kohathites, for theirs was the first lot, 55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its pasture lands around it, 56 but the fields of the city and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the following cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah also with its pasture lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands, 58 Hilen with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, 59 Ashan with its pasture lands and Bethshemesh with its pasture lands. 60 And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its pasture lands, Allemeth with its pasture lands, and Anathoth with its pasture lands. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities. 61 Then to the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, from the family of the tribe, from the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 62 To the sons of Gershom, according to their families, were given from the tribe of Issachar and from the tribe of Asher, the tribe of Naphtali, and the tribe of Manasseh, thirteen cities in Bashan. 63 To the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 64 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their pasture lands. 65 They gave by lot from the tribe of the sons of Judah, the tribe of the sons of Simeon and the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name. 66 Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory from the tribe of Ephraim. 67 They gave to them the following cities of refuge: Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its pasture lands, Gezer also with its pasture lands, 68 Jokmeam with its pasture lands, Bethhoron with its pasture lands, 69 Aijalon with its pasture lands and Gathrimmon with its pasture lands, 70 and from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its pasture lands and Bileam with its pasture lands, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. 71 To the sons of Gershom were given, from the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasture lands and Ashtaroth with its pasture lands. 72 And from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its pasture lands, Daberath with its pasture lands. 73 And Ramoth with its pasture lands, Anem with its pasture lands, 74 and from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasture lands, Abdon with its pasture lands, 75 Hukok with its pasture lands and Rehob with its pasture lands, 76 and from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasture lands, Hammon with its pasture lands and Kiriathaim with its pasture lands. 77 To the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given, from the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono with its pasture lands, Tabor with its pasture lands, 78 and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, were given them, from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its pasture lands, Jahzah with its pasture lands, 79 Kedemoth with its pasture lands and Mephaath with its pasture lands, 80 and from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands, 81 Heshbon with its pasture lands and Jazer with its pasture lands.

1 Chronicles 7 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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The Sons of Issachar
1 Now the sons of Issachar were four: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron. 2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel, heads of their fathers' households. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations. Their number in the days of David was 22,600. 3 The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah. And the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah. All five of them were chief men. 4 With them by their generations according to their fathers' households were 36,000 troops of the army for war, for they had many wives and sons. 5 Their relatives among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, enrolled by genealogy, in all 87,000. 6 The sons of Benjamin were three: Bela and Becher and Jediael. 7 The sons of Bela were five: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri. They were heads of fathers' households, mighty men of valor, and were 22,034 enrolled by genealogy. 8 The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth and Alemeth. 9 They were enrolled by genealogy, according to their generations, heads of their fathers' households, 20,200 mighty men of valor. 10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish and Ahishahar. 11 All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers' households, 17,200 mighty men of valor, who were ready to go out with the army to war. 12 Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir. Hushim was the son of Aher. 13 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah. 14 The sons of Manasseh were Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead. 15 Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maacah. And the name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had daughters. 16 Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh. And the name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 The son of Ulam was Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. 18 His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod and Abiezer and Mahlah. 19 The sons of Shemida were Ahian and Shechem and Likhi and Aniam. 20 The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, 21 Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take their livestock. 22 Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house. 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Bethhoron, also Uzzensheerah. 25 Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Non his son and Joshua his son. 28 Their possessions and settlements were Bethel with its towns, and to the east Naaran, and to the west Gezer with its towns, and Shechem with its towns as far as Ayyah with its towns, 29 and along the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Bethshean with its towns, Taanach with its towns, Megiddo with its towns, Dor with its towns. In these lived the sons of Joseph the son of Israel. 30 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah, and Serah their sister. 31 The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. 32 Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer and Hotham, and Shua their sister. 33 The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet. 34 The sons of Shemer were Ahi and Rohgah, Jehubbah and Aram. 35 The sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri and Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran and Beera. 38 The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispa and Ara. 39 The sons of Ulla were Arah, Hanniel and Rizia. 40 All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice and mighty men of valor, heads of the princes. And the number of them enrolled by genealogy for service in war was 26,000 men.

1 Chronicles 8 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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The Sons of Benjamin
1 And Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah, the fourth and Rapha the fifth, 3 Bela had sons, Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan and Huram. 6 These are the sons of Ehud. They are the heads of fathers' households of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them into exile to Manahath, 7 namely, Naaman, Ahijah and Gera. He carried them into exile where he was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. 8 Shaharaim was the father of children in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives. 9 By his wife Hodesh he fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' households. 11 By Hushim he fathered Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns, 13 and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers' households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath, 14 and Ahio, Shashak and Jeremoth. 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ishpah and Joha were the sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25 Iphdeiah and Penuel were the sons of Shashak. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were heads of the fathers' households according to their generations, chief men who lived in Jerusalem. 29 Now in Gibeon, Jeiel, the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife's name was Maacah. 30 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio and Zecher. 32 Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives. 33 Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 34 The son of Jonathan was Meribbaal, and Meribbaal was the father of Micah. 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz. 36 Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. And Zimri was the father of Moza. 37 Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38 Azel had six sons, and their names were Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. 39 The sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second and Eliphelet the third. 40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.

1 Chronicles 9 - RWB Paraphrase (44 V)
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A List of Those Living in Exile
1 So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies, and were written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness. 2 Now the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants. 3 Some of the sons of Judah, of the sons of Benjamin and of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. 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 From the Shilonites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. 6 From the sons of Zerah were Jeuel and their relatives, 690 of them. 7 From the sons of Benjamin were 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 relatives according to their generations. All these were heads of fathers' households according to their fathers' houses. 10 From the priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, 11 and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God. 12 And 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 their relatives, heads of their fathers' households, 1,760 very able men for the service of the house of God. 14 Of the Levites were Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari, 15 and Bakbakkar, Heresh 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 in the villages of the Netophathites. 17 Now the gatekeepers were Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their relatives. Shallum the chief, 18 being stationed until now at the king's gate to the east. These were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi. 19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives of his father's house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent. And their fathers had been over the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entrance. 20 Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the LORD was with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting. 22 There were 212 who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds. They were enrolled by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their office of trust. 23 So they and their sons had charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, even the house of the tent, as guards. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides, to the east, west, north and south. 25 Their relatives in their villages were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them. 26 The four chief gatekeepers who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. 27 They spent the night around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them. They were in charge of opening it morning by morning. 28 Now some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they counted them when they brought them in and when they took them out. 29 Some of them also were appointed over the furniture and over all the utensils of the sanctuary and over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense and the spices. 30 Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices. 31 Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the responsibility over the things baked in pans. 32 Some of their relatives of the sons of the Kohathites were over the showbread preparing it every Sabbath. 33 Now these are the singers, heads of fathers' households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service. For they were engaged in their work day and night. 34 These were heads of fathers' households of the Levites according to their generations, chief men, who lived in Jerusalem. 35 In Gibeon Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife's name was Maacah. 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth. 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives. 39 Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 40 The son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; And Meribbaal was the father of Micah. 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea and Ahaz. 42 Ahaz was the father of Jarah, and Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. And Zimri was the father of Moza, 43 and Moza was the father of Binea and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan.

1 Chronicles 10 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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Saul and His Sons Die in Battle
1 The Philistines fought with Israel and the men of Israel fled before them, some falling on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, striking down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons. 3 Saul was hard pressed by the battle. The Philistines archers overtook him and wounded him. 4 Then Saul told his armor bearer to kill him so that the uncircumsized Philistines would not come and make sport of him. But his armor bearer would not do it, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. 5 Seeing that Saul was dead, his armor bearer fell on his sword and died as well.

6 So Saul died with his three sons, the whole house together. 7 When the men of Israel knew that Saul was dead, they forsook their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. 9 So they stripped him and took his head and armor to show off around the land of the Philistines, and to carry the good news to their idols. 10 They placed his armor in the house of their gods and fastened his head to the house of Dagon. 11 When those of Jabeshgilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men went and brought the bodies of Saul and his three sons to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak of Jabesh and fasted seven days. 13 So Saul died for his transgression against the LORD by not keeping His word and for asking council from a medium. 14 Because he did not inquired of the LORD, God killed him and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

1 Chronicles 11 - RWB Paraphrase (47 V)
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David Becomes King
1 Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron. They said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh." 2 "Even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought Israel in. And the LORD your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be prince over them.'." 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

David Captures Jerusalem
4 Then David with all Israel went to Jerusalem where the Jebusites were living. 5 They told David that he would not be able to enter there, but he captured the stronghold of Zion. 6 David had made the statement that the first one to strike down a Jebusite would be chief and commander. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and became chief. 7 David lived there and called it the city of David. 8 He built up the city from the Millo to the surrounding area, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.

David's Mighty Men
10 These were the heads of the mighty men who gave him their strong support along with all Israel, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 11 Here is a list of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, was chief of the thirty; He killed three hundred at one time with his spear. 12 Next was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite. He was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pasdammim in battle with the Philistines. They were in a barley field and the Israelites had fled before the Philistines. 14 The two of them took their stand in the middle of the field, defending it and striking down the Philistines. And the LORD saved them by a great victory. 15 Another time the three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David into the cave of Adullam while the Philistines were camped in the valley of Rephaim. 16 At this time David was in the stronghold while the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem. 17 David had a craving and said, "If only I could have a drink from the well in Bethlehem by its gate." 18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and brought it to David. But he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 19 He said, "Be it far from me before my God that I should drink the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring this water." And he would not drink it.

20 Abshai, Joab's brother, was chief of the thirty. He used his spear to kill three hundred of the enemy. 21 He was the most honored of the three and became their captain, but he did not attain to the first three. 22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant and mighty man of Kabzeel, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. 23 He killed an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam. Using only a club Benaiah went down to him and snatched his spear, and killed him with it.

COMMENT: He was nearly eight feet tall.

24 Benaiah did these things making a name for himself among the three. 25 And though he was honored among the thirty, he did not attain to the three. David appointed him over his guard.

26 The mighty men of the armies were Asahel, Joab's brother, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel and Obed and Jasiel the Mesobaite.

1 Chronicles 12 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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David's Mighty Men While He Lived In Ziklag
1 These were the mighty men who helped David in war while he lived at Ziklag because Saul would not let him live in Israel. 2 They were Saul's kinsmen from Benjamin and able to shoot arrows with either hand, and to sling stones with either hand. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite, 4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, 7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

The Gadites Who Helped David
8 While David lived in the stronghold of the wilderness, Gadites joined with him. They were mighty men of valor, trained for war and able to handle shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. 9 Ezer was the first, 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 sons of Gad were captains of the army. The least of them was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand. 15 These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.

Some Of The Sons Of Benjamin Who Joined David At Ziklag
16 There were some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah who came to David's stronghold. 17 He went out to meet them and said, "If you come in peace to help me, my heart shall be united with you. But if you have come to betray me, since I have done no wrong, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide." 18 Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, "We are yours, O David, son of Jesse! Peace be to you and to your God who helps you." Then David received them and made them captains of the band. 19 Some from Manasseh also defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines consultation together and sent him away, saying, "It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul." 20 As he went to Ziklag there defected to him from Manasseh, Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who belonged to Manasseh. 21 They were captains and mighty men in the army and helped David against the band of raiders.

22 Day by day men continued to come to David, until his army was great, like the army of God.

23 Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, turning the kingdom of Saul to him, as the LORD had said. 24 The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800, equipped for war. 25 Of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. 26 Of the sons of Levi 4,600. 27 Now Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, who numbered 3,700, 28 also Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty two captains. 29 Of the sons of Benjamin, Saul's kinsmen, 3,000. Until now the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to Saul. 30 Of the sons of Ephraim 20,800, mighty men of valor. They were famous in their fathers' households. 31 And of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000 men, who were designated by name to come and make David king. 32 Of the sons of Issachar, there were men who understood the times, and had a knowledge of what Israel should do. Their chiefs were two hundred and all their kinsmen were at their command. 33 Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war, ready to help David with whole heartedness. 34 Of Naphtali there were 1,000 captains, and with them 37,000 with shield and spear. 35 There were 28,600 Danites who could make a battle formation. 36 Of Asher there were 40,000 who went out in the army to draw up in battle formation. 37 From the other side of the Jordan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh comprised 120,000 with all kinds of weapons of war for the battle. 38 All of these were men able to go to battle, and they came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king. All of Israel wanted David to be their king.

39 Their kinsmen had prepared food and they ate and drank with David for three days. 40 Food was brought on donkeys, mules and oxen from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali. There were great quantities of flour cakes, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen and sheep. There was much joy in Israel.

1 Chronicles 13 - RWB Paraphrase (14 V)
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David and All Israel Decide to Move the Ark of God
1 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds and every leader, 2 saying, "If you think it is a good idea and that the LORD approves, let us invite everyone, including the priests and Levites, to meet with us." 3 "And let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul." 4 And all the assembly agreed that this was the right thing to do.

5 So David assembled all Israel from Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, for the purpose of bringing the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. 6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriathjearim of Judah, to bring up the ark of the LORD God who is enthroned above the cherubim. 7 They placed the ark on a new cart at the house of Abinadab. Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing and playing lyres, harps, tambourines, symbols and trumpets. 9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzza put his hand on the ark to hold it from falling. 10 The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza and He struck him dead because he had touched the ark. 11 Then David became angry over what the LORD had done to Uzza and he called the place Perezuzza to this day. 12 David was afraid and said, "How can I bring the ark of God home with me?" 13 So they did not take the ark to the city of David, but took it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 14 And it remained in the house of Obededom for three months. The LORD blessed the family of Obededom and all that he had.

1 Chronicles 14 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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Hiram, King of Tyre, Sends Materials and Workmen for David's House
1 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him. 2 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel. He had an exalted position for the sake of His people Israel.

COMMENT: He was king for their sake and not his own.

3 David took more wives at Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 Here are the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

David Becomes More and More Feared by the Nations
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they came up looking for him. David heard of it and went out against them. 9 The Philistines had made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 David inquired of God, saying, "Shall I go against the Philistines? Will You be with me?" The LORD said to him, "Go, for I will give them into your hand." 11 So they came up to Baalperazim and David defeated them there. He said, "God has broken through my enemies by my hand, as one breaks through water." So they named the place Baalperazim. 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David had them burned.

13 The Philistines made yet another raid in the valley. 14 David inquired of God, and God said, "Do not go up to them. Circle around behind them and come to them in front of the balsam trees." 15 "When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone before you to strike the army of the Philistines." 16 David did just as the LORD had commanded, and struck down the Philistine's army from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 David's fame went out to all the lands, and the LORD made all nations fear him.

1 Chronicles 15 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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David Brings the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to the City
1 David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place and pitched a tent for the ark of God. 2 David said, "No one but the Levites shall carry the ark of God, for the LORD has chosen them to handle the ark of God and minister to Him forever." 3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it. 4 David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites, 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and 120 of his relatives, 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and 220 of his relatives, 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and 130 of his relatives, 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and 200 of his relatives, 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and 80 of his relatives, 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and 112 of his brethren. 11 Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, "You are the heads of the fathers' households of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it." 13 "Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD made an outburst against us, for we did not seek Him according to His ordinance." 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves before bringing up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 The sons of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD. 16 David told the chiefs of the Levites to appoint the singers who were their relatives, with instruments such as harps, lyres and loud cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel, and from his relatives, Asaph the son of Berechiah and from the sons of Merari their relatives, Ethan the son of Kushaiah, 18 and with them their relatives of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obededom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. 19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan were appointed to play the loud cymbals of bronze, 20 and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah, with harps tuned to Alamoth. 21 And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obededom, Jeiel and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the Sheminith. 22 Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was in charge of the singing. He gave instruction because he was skillful. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the ark of God. Obededom and Jehiah also were gatekeepers for the ark. 25 So David with the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, went with joy to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obededom. 26 God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD and they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, the same as the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah who led the singing. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and the sounds of horn, trumpets, loud cymbals, harps and lyres. 29 When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out a window and saw King David leaping and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 16 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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The Ark of God Was Brought to the Place Prepared for It
1 So they brought the ark of God and placed it in the middle of the tent David had pitched for it. They offered burnt offering and peace offerings before God. 2 When David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 He gave to every man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a cake of raisins. 4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, celebrating with thanks and praise to the LORD God of Israel. 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obededom and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres also Asaph played loud sounding cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests blew trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the LORD.

A Song of Thanks to the Lord
8 Oh give thanks to the LORD,
Call upon His name,
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him,
Speak of all His wonders.
10 Glory in His holy name,
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
11 Seek the LORD and His strength,
Seek His face continually.
12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God,
His judgments are in all the earth.
. 15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.
17 He also confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan,
As the portion of your inheritance."
19 When they were only a few in number,
Very few, and strangers in it,
20 And they wandered about from nation to nation,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to oppress them,
And He reproved kings for their sakes, saying,
22 "Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm."
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains.
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
35 Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise."
. 36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting.

Then all the people said, "Amen, " and praised the LORD.

37 So he left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required, 38 and Obededom with his 68 relatives, also the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah as gatekeepers. 39 He left Zadok the priest and his relatives the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place which was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His lovingkindness is everlasting. 42 And with them were Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals to sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun for the gate. 43 Then all the people went to their homes and David returned to bless his household.

1 Chronicles 17 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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David Plans to Build a House for the Lord
1 When David had been living in his house for a while, he said to Nathan the prophet, "I live in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains." 2 Nathan said to David, "Do what you have a mind to do, for God is with you."

God Tells David Through Nathan That His Son Will Build the House
3 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Tell David My servant, 'Thus says the LORD, You shall not build a house for me to dwell in.'" 5 "I have never lived in a house since the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt. I have gone from one tent to another and one dwelling place to another." 6 "Have I ever asked any of the leaders of Israel with whom I have spoken to build Me a house of cedar?" 7 "Here is what you shall tell My servant David: 'Thus says the LORD of Hosts, I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep, and made you the leader of My people Israel.'." 8 "I have been with you wherever you have gone, cutting off your enemies, and making your name great in the earth." 9 "I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and plant them so that they will not be moved again. The wicked will not destroy them as in the past," 10 "ever since the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies and I will build a house for you." 11 "When your days are finished, I will appoint one of your sons and establish his kingdom." 12 "He shall build a house for Me and I will establish his throne forever." 13 "I will be a father to him and he shall be My son. I will not take My mercy seat away from him, as I did from Saul." 14 "But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and so shall his throne be established."

David Accepts the Word of the Lord
15 So Nathan told David all the words of this vision. 16 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD and aid, "Who am I and what is my house that You have done all this for me?" 17 "It may be a small thing in Your eyes, O God, to have spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come, and have promised so much." 18 "What more can I say concerning the honor You have bestowed on Your servant?" 19 "O LORD, for Your servant's sake, and according to Your own plans, You have bestowed all this greatness and made these things known." 20 "O LORD, there is no one like You, and no God besides you, according to everything we have heard." 21 "What other nation is like Your people Israel, whom you have redeemed for Yourself, to make Your name great by driving out the nations before you to make a place for Your people whom You redeemed out of Egypt?" 22 "For You made Israel to be your people forever, and You, O LORD, became their God." 23 "Now, O LORD, let the words You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, be established forever, just as You have spoken." 24 "Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel, and the house of Your servant David is established before You." 25 "Your servant has found courage to pray before you because You, O my God, have revealed to your servant that You will build him a house." 26 "Now O LORD, You are God and have promised this good thing to Your servant." 27 "And it has pleased You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. O LORD, bless it forever."

1 Chronicles 18 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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David Has Victory on Every Side
1 After this David defeated and subdued the Philistines, taking Gath and its towns. 2 He defeated Moab and they became his servants, bringing him tribute. 3 He also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, establishing his rule to the Euphrates River. 4 David took from Hadadezer 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the chariot horses, keeping back 100 for chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of their men, 6 and placed garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus. They became his servants and brought him tribute. The LORD helped David wherever he went.

7 David brought the shields carried by Hadadezer's servants to Jerusalem. 8 Also from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils. 9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him. Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought many articles of gold, silver and bronze. 11 David also dedicated these to the LORD with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations, including Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek.

12 Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom and the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD continued to help David wherever he went. 14 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.

15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary, 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were chiefs by the king's side.

1 Chronicles 19 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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David Battles with the Sons of Ammon and the Arameans
1 After this Nahash king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place. 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nadash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him. 3 But the princes of the sons of Ammon advised Hanun that David was not honoring his father, but instead spying out the land. 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them, cutting off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and then sending them away. 5 Someone came and told David what Hanun had done. He went out to meet them, for they were too humiliated to come to Jerusalem. The king told them to stay in Jericho until their beards grew out and then return to Jerusalem.

6 When the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, they sent 1,000 talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Syriamaachah of Mesopotamia, and from Zobah. 7 So they hired 32,000 chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people. They came and camped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities prepared for battle. 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army with its mighty men. 9 The sons of Ammon drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city. The kings who had come were out in the field. 10 Joab saw that the battle was set against him from two sides. He selected the choice men of Israel to go against the Arameans. 11 The rest of the people he put under his brother Abshai, and they went against Ammon.

12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me. And if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, I will come to your aide." 13 "Be strong, and let's be courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what seems good in His sight." 14 So Joab and the people with him went against the Arameans and they fled before him. 15 When the sons Ammon saw the Arameans fleeing, they also fled before Abshai. 16 When the Arameans knew that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out more Arameans from beyond the river. Shophack the commander of the army was leading them. 17 When David learned of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. Coming upon them, he drew up in formation against them, and they fought. 18 The Arameans fled before Israel and David killed of the Arameans, 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He put to death Shophach the commander of the army. 19 When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. And the Arameans were not willing to help the sons of Ammon anymore.

1 Chronicles 20 - RWB Paraphrase (8 V)
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More Battles with the Philistines and the Sons of Ammon
1 In the spring of the year when kings go out to battle, Joab led the army ravaging the land of the sons of Ammon. He besieged Rabbah, defeating and overthrowing it. David had stayed at Jerusalem.

2 David took the crown of the head of their king and found that it weighed a talent of gold and it had a precious stone in it. It was placed on David's head and a great amount of spoil was brought out of the city. 3 He brought the people out of the cities and cut them with saws and other sharp instruments. He did this to all the cities of Ammon. Then David and the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 After this war broke out in Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the giants, and they were subdued. 5 And there was war with the Philistines again, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 6 And once again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand six toes on each foot. And he also was a descendant of the giants. 7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him. 8 Those in Gath who had descended from the giants, fell by the hand of David and his servants.

1 Chronicles 21 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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David Numbers Israel
1 Satan moved David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go number Israel from Beersheba to Dan and bring me the result." 3 Joab said, "The LORD adds to the strength of His people making them a hundred times as many as they are. And they are all your servants. Why do you want to know how many there are? Why bring this guilt on Israel?"

Joab Numbers Israel
4 But the king's word overrode Joab's objection. So Joab did as David asked. 5 When Joab had finished the count, he gave the results to David. All Israel who drew the sword were 1,100,000 men, and Judah had 470,000 men who drew the sword. 6 He did not include Levi or Benjamin because the king's command was so objectionable to him.

God Was Displeased When David Numbered Israel
7 God was displeased with this thing and struck Israel. 8 David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in doing this. Please take away my iniquity, for I have been very foolish." 9 The LORD sent a message to David through Gad, his seer, saying. 10 "Thus says the LORD, I am giving you three choices of what I will do to you."

David Has a Choice of Punishment
11 So Gad came to David and said, "Choose from the following," 12 "three years of famine, three months at the mercy of your foes as they overtake you with the sword, or three days of pestilence in the land with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout the territory of Israel." 13 David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercies are great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man." 14 So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel and 70,000 men of Israel fell. 15 And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as he was about to do this, the LORD saw and was sorry, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough. Stay your hand." The angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

16 David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn and stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17 David said to God, "I am the one who has sinned by commanding the count of the people. But these sheep have done nothing. O LORD, please let your hand be against me and my father's house, and do not send this plague on these people." 18 Then the angel of the LORD instructed Gad to tell David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

David Offered Sacrifice on the Future Temple Site
19 So David did as Gad had instructed. 20 Ornan had been threshing wheat and when he saw the angel, he and his four sons had hidden themselves. 21 As David came to Ornan, he came out and prostrated himself before David with his face to the ground. 22 David said, "Give me the threshing floor that I may build and altar on it to the LORD. I will pay the full price for it, that the plague may be restrained from the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it and do what seems right in your sight. I will give the oxen for a burnt offering and the threshing sleds for wood and the wheat for the grain offering. It is all yours." 24 But King David would not have it thus. He said, "I will certainly pay the full price for it. I will not take what is yours, or offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

COMMENT: The true meaning of sacrifice is clearly defined here.

25 So David gave Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the threshing floor. 26 Then David built an altar there to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called to the LORD and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

COMMENT: How seldom God answered with fire for a sacrifice. I can recall three other places: when Solomon dedicated the temple he had built in Jerusalem, on Mount Carmel for Elijah, and Abel's sacrifice. In the case of Cain and Abel, it only says that God had regard for Abel's sacrifice and I take that to mean that He sent fire to consume it.

2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire fell from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

1 Kings 18:37-38 "Hear me, O LORD, so that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You may turn their hearts back to You." [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, even the stones and the dust, and it even licked up the water in the trench.

Genesis 4:4-5 Abel also brought an offering from the best of his flock. The LORD showed regard for Abel and his offering. [5] God showed no regard for Cain and his offering. This made Cain despondent and then angry.

27 The LORD commanded the angel to put his sword back in its sheath. 28 When David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifice there. 29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were in the high place at Gibeon at that time. 30 And David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 22 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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David Commissions Solomon to Build the House of God
1 Then David said, "This is the place for the house of the LORD God, and this is where the altar of burnt offering will be for Israel." 2 So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, and set stonecutters to hew out stones for the house of God. 3 David prepared large quantities iron for nails and clamps for the doors and gates. He gathered more bronze than could be weighed. 4 There were timbers of cedar beyond number from Tyre and Sidon. 5 David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I will make preparation for it." 6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and gave him the responsibility of building a house for the LORD God of Israel. 7 David explained to Solomon, "My son, I wanted to build a house for the name of the LORD my God." 8 "But the LORD sent word to me saying, 'You have shed much blood and shall not build a house for Me.'" 9 "A son born to you shall be a man of peace. He shall have rest from his enemies on every side. His name shall be Solomon and I will give Israel rest in his days." 10 "He shall build a house for My name. And He shall be My son and I will be his Father, and I will establish his throne over Israel forever." 11 "Now my son, the LORD will be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the LORD your God, just as he has spoken concerning you." 12 "May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God." 13 "You will prosper if you carefully observe the statutes and ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, and do not fear or be dismayed." 14 "I have expended much effort preparing materials for the house of the LORD. I have 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, bronze and iron beyond weight, and in addition much timber and stone." 15 "There are many workmen, stone cutters, masons and carpenters, all skillful in every kind of work." 16 "There is no limit to the gold, silver, bronze and iron. Arise and work and may the LORD be with you." 17 David also commanded all of the leaders to help Solomon, by saying, 18 "Hasn't the LORD your God been with you? He has given you rest on every side. Every one of the surrounding nations has been subdued before the LORD and His people." 19 "Now set your hearts and souls to seek the LORD your God, and build the sanctuary for the LORD, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels into the house that is built for the name of the LORD."

1 Chronicles 23 - RWB Paraphrase (32 V)
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David Gets Old
1 When David was old, he made Solomon king over Israel. 2 He gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites. 3 There were 38,000 Levites thirty years old and upward. 4 Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD and 6,000 were officers and judges, 5 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were to praise the LORD with the instruments which David made for praising the LORD. 6 David had divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonites were Ladan and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan were three, Jehiel the first and Zetham and Joel. 9 The sons of Shimei were Shelomoth and Haziel and Haran. These were the heads of the fathers' households of Ladan. 10 The sons of Shimei were four. Jahath, Zina, Jeush and Beriah. 11 Jahath was the first and Zizah the second but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were reckoned in their father's household. 12 The sons of Kohath were four: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 13 The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was set apart. He and his sons were sanctified as most holy forever. They were to burn incense before the LORD, and to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever. 14 Moses the man of God, had sons who were named among the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. 16 The son of Gershom was Shebuel the chief. 17 The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18 The son of Izhar was Shelomith the chief. 19 The sons of Hebron were Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. 20 The sons of Uzziel were Micah the first and Isshiah the second. 21 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. 22 Eleazar died and had only daughters, so their brothers, the sons of Kish, took them as wives. 23 The sons of Mushi were three: Mahli, Eder and Jeremoth. 24 These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers' households, even the heads of the fathers' households of those who were counted in the census. They did the work of service of the house of the LORD, and were from twenty years old and upward.

25 For David said, "The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever." 26 "After the house of the LORD has been built, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service." 27 By the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their office was to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, in the chambers and in the purifying of all the holy things, which was the work of the service of the house of God, 29 and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, or what is baked in the pan or what is well mixed, and all measures of volume and size. 30 They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and then again in the evening, 31 and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD, on the Sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals set by the ordinance concerning each of them, always before the LORD. 32 They will keep charge of the tent of meeting and of the holy place, and care for the sons of Aaron and their relatives for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 24 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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The Divisions Of The Descendants Of Aaron
1 Now the divisions of the descendants of Aaron are these. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3 David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry. 4 Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus: there were sixteen heads of fathers' households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers' households. 5 Thus they were divided by lot, the one as the other, for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar. 6 Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites, one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar. 7 Now the first lot came out for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, 8 the third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim, 9 the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin, 10 the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah, 11 the ninth for Jeshua, the tenth for Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh for Eliashib, the twelfth for Jakim, 13 the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth for Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer, 15 the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth for Pethahiah, the twentieth for Jehezkel, 17 the twenty first for Jachin, the twenty second for Gamul, 18 the twenty third for Delaiah, and the twenty fourth for Maaziah. 19 These were their offices for their ministry when they came in to the house of the LORD according to the ordinance given to them through Aaron their father, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. 20 Now for the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael, of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah, Isshiah was the first. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth, of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 Of the sons of Uzziel, Micah, of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah, of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi, the sons of Jaaziah, Beno. 27 The sons of Merari: by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri. 28 By Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 By Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' households. 31 These also cast lots just as their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites, the head of fathers' households as well as those of his younger brother.

1 Chronicles 25 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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Some Are Set Apart For Prophecy With Music
1 Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals, and the number of those who performed their service was: 2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD.

COMMENT: How interesting that prophecy included music to praise the Lord.

4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Malothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer to exalt him according to the words of God, for God gave fourteen sons and three daughters to Heman. 6 All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, harps and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the direction of the king. 7 Their number who were trained and skillful in singing to the LORD, with their relatives, who were skillful was two hundred and eighty eight. 8 They cast lots for their duties, small and great, the teacher as well as the pupil. 9 Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph, the second for Gedaliah, he with his relatives and sons were twelve. 10 The third lot fell to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 11 The fourth fell to Izri, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 12 The fifth fell to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 13 The sixth fell to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 14 The seventh fell to Jesharelah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 15 The eighth fell to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 16 The ninth fell to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 17 The tenth fell to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 18 The eleventh fell to Azarel, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 19 The twelfth fell to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 20 The thirteenth fell to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 21 The fourteenth fell to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 22 The fifteenth fell to Jeremoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 23 The sixteenth fell to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 24 The seventeenth fell to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 25 The eighteenth fell to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 26 The nineteenth fell to Malothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 27 The twentieth fell to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 28 The twenty first fell to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 29 The twenty second fell to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 30 The twenty third fell to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve. 31 The twenty fourth fell to Romamtiezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve.

1 Chronicles 26 - RWB Paraphrase (32 V)
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The Division Of The Gate Keepers
1 For the divisions of the gatekeepers there were of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 Obededom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. God had indeed blessed him. 6 Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled over the house of their father, for they were mighty men of valor. 7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers, Elihu and Semachiah, were valiant men. 8 All these were of the sons of Obededom, they and their sons and their relatives were able men with strength for the service, sixty two from Obededom. 9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, eighteen valiant men. 10 Also Hosah, one of the sons of Merari had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth, all the sons and relatives of Hosah were thirteen. 12 To these divisions of the gatekeepers, the chief men, were given duties like their relatives to minister in the house of the LORD. 13 They cast lots, the small and the great alike, according to their fathers' households, for every gate. 14 The lot to the east fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a counselor with insight, and his lot came out to the north. 15 For Obededom it fell to the south, and to his sons went the storehouse. 16 For Shuppim and Hosah it was to the west, by the gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending highway, guard corresponded to guard. 17 On the east there were six Levites, on the north four daily, on the south four daily, and at the storehouse two by two. 18 At the Parbar on the west there were four at the highway and two at the Parbar. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

Those In Charge Of The Treasures Of The House Of The Lord
20 The Levites, their relatives, had charge of the treasures of the house of God and of the treasures of the dedicated gifts. 21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, namely, the Jehielites, were the heads of the fathers' households, belonging to Ladan the Gershonite. 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, had charge of the treasures of the house of the LORD. 23 As for the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites, 24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was officer over the treasures. 25 His relatives by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son. 26 This Shelomoth and his relatives had charge of all the treasures of the dedicated gifts which King David and the heads of the fathers' households, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the commanders of the army, had dedicated. 27 They dedicated part of the spoil won in battles to repair the house of the LORD. 28 And all that Samuel the seer had dedicated and Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah, everyone who had dedicated anything, was in the care of Shelomoth and his relatives. 29 As for the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were assigned to outside duties for Israel, as officers and judges. 30 As for the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the LORD and the service of the king. 31 As for the Hebronites, Jerijah the chief (these Hebronites were investigated according to their genealogies and fathers' households, in the fortieth year of David's reign, and men of outstanding capability were found among them at Jazer of Gilead), 32 and his relatives, capable men, numbering 2, 700, all heads of fathers' households. And King David made them overseers of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites concerning all the affairs of God and of the king.

1 Chronicles 27 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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The Sons of Israel and Those in Charge of Them
1 Now this is the number of the children of Israel, the heads of fathers' households, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all the affairs of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division numbering 24,000. 2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel had charge of the first division for the first month, and in his division were 24,000. 3 He was from the sons of Perez, and was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month. 4 Dodai the Ahohite and his division had charge of the division for the second month, Mikloth being the chief officer, and in his division were 24,000. 5 The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, as chief, and in his division were 24,000. 6 This Benaiah was the mighty man of the thirty, and had charge of thirty, and over his division was Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him, and in his division were 24,000. 8 The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite, and in his division were 24,000. 9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, and in his division were 24,000. 10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim, and in his division were 24,000. 11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites, and in his division were 24,000. 12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites, and in his division were 24,000. 13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites, and in his division were 24,000. 14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim, and in his division were 24,000. 15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel, and in his division were 24,000. 16 Now in charge of the tribes of Israel: chief officer for the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri, for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah. 17 For Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel, for Aaron, Zadok, 18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers, for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael. 19 For Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah, for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel. 20 For the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah, for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah. 21 For the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah, for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner. 22 For Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count them, but did not finish. And because of this numbering, wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not included in the account of the chronicles of King David.

25 Now Azmaveth the son of Adiel had charge of the king's storehouses. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah had charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers. 26 Ezri the son of Chelub had charge of the agricultural workers who tilled the soil. 27 Shimei the Ramathite had charge of the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite had charge of the produce of the vineyards stored in the wine cellars. 28 Baalhanan the Gederite had charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah, and Joash had charge of the stores of oil. 29 Shitrai the Sharonite had charge of the cattle which were grazing in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai had charge of the cattle in the valleys. 30 Obil the Ishmaelite had charge of the camels, and Jehdeiah the Meronothite had charge of the donkeys. 31 Jaziz the Hagrite had charge of the flocks. All these were overseers of the property which belonged to King David. 32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. And Jehiel the son of Hachmoni tutored the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was counselor to the king, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. 34 Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar succeeded Ahithophel, and Joab was the commander of the king's army.

1 Chronicles 28 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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Commanders Of The Divisions That Served The King
1 Now David assembled all the officials of Israel at Jerusalem, the princes of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, and the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and to his sons, with the officials and the mighty men, including all the valiant men. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Listen to me, my brethren and my people. I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God. So I made preparations to build it." 3 "But God said, 'You shall not build it because you are a man of war and have shed much blood.'" 4 "Yet the LORD God chose me form all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He chose Judah to be a leader, and in the house of Judah my father's house, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel." 5 "The LORD has given me many sons, but he has chosen Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel." 6 "He has said to me, your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts, 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 as long as he resolutely performs My commandments and ordinances." 8 "So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the LORD your God so that you may possess the good land bequeath it to your sons after you forever." 9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever."

COMMENT: Here is the secret for every believer is searching for God.

10 "Think of it, the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. As you do this be courageous." 11 Then David gave Solomon the plan for the porch of the temple, its buildings and storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms and the room for the mercy seat, 12 and the plan for the courts of the house of the LORD, and its surrounding rooms, and storehouses for the dedicated things, 13 also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD and for all the utensils of service in the house of the LORD, 14 for the golden utensils, the weight of gold for all utensils for every kind of service, for the silver utensils, the weight of silver for all utensils for every kind of service, 15 and the weight of gold for the golden lampstands and their golden lamps, with the weight of each lampstand its lamps, and the weight of silver for the silver lampstands, with the weight of each lampstand its lamps according to the use of each lampstand, 16 and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for each table, and silver for the silver tables, 17 and the forks, the basins, and the pitchers of pure gold, and for the weight of each golden bowls, and for the weight of each silver bowls, 18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight, and gold for the model of the chariot of the cherubim that spread out their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 "All of this," David said, "The LORD showed me with His hand upon me as I wrote down the details of the plan." 20 Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act without fear, for the LORD my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD has been completed." 21 "And behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of any skill will be with you in all the work for all kinds of service. The officials also and all the people will be entirely at your command."

1 Chronicles 29 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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David Hands the Kingdom Over to Solomon
1 Then King David said to the entire assembly, "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the temple is not for man, but for the LORD God." 2 "With all my ability I have provided the material for this building: gold, silver, bronze, iron and wood, onyx stones, inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones including an abundance of alabaster." 3 "It has been my delight to give to the house of my God above all that I have already provided for the holy temple," 4 "3,000 talents of gold of Ophir, 7,000 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the building," 5 "of gold and silver for everything requiring it, to be used by craftsmen willing to be consecrated to the LORD."

6 Then rulers of father's households, princes of the tribes of Israel, and commanders of thousands, and hundreds, and overseers, offered willingly, 7 giving for the house of God 5,000 talents of gold and 10,000 drams of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of brass, and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 Those having precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD to the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had made their offering willingly with whole hearts, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

10 So David blessed the LORD before all the assembly, saying, "Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever." 11 "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power, the glory, the victory, the majesty, and indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth, Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all." 12 "Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might, to make great and to strengthen everyone." 13 "So we thank You our God, and praise Your glorious name." 14 "But who are we to offer these things? It all came from You and we have given it back to You."

COMMENT: So when we give to God we are only giving back to Him what is already His.

15 "For we are only travelers before You, as were our fathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow that does not last."

COMMENT: This is easier to say at the end of one's life when things come into a sharper perspective.

16 "Everything we have provided is already Yours." 17 "I know, O LORD, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness. In the integrity of my heart I have willingly offered all these things, and I have seen Your people willingly make their offerings to You." 18 "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You," 19 "and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to build the temple for which I have made provision." 20 Then David said to all the assembly, "Now bless the LORD your God." And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the LORD and to the king. 21 On the next day they made sacrifices to the LORD, offering burnt offerings of 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, along with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 So they ate and drank before the LORD that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, anointing him as ruler for the LORD, and Zadok as priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD in place of David his father. And he prospered and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All of the officials, the mighty men and the sons of king David pledged allegiance to King Solomon. 25 The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, bestowing royal majesty on him like no other king before him in Israel.

26 Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 The period of his reign was forty years: in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalem thirty three years. 28 He died at a ripe old age, full of riches and honor, and Solomon reigned in his place. 29 All of the acts of King David are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer, 30 telling of all his reign, his power, and the circumstances which came on him, on Israel, and on all the kingdoms of the other lands.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29