Study Desk

King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.

Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then march out to battle, for God will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines."

David built houses for himself in the city of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it.

He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.

For the Lord our God burst out in anger against us because you Levites were not with us the first time, for we didn't inquire of Him about the proper procedures."

Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

The priests, Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be gatekeepers for the ark.

They brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in God's presence.

On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to the Lord by Asaph and his relatives:

Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.

Remember His covenant forever— the promise He ordained for a thousand generations,

For the Lord is great and highly praised; He is feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord , for He is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord , for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.

With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord —for His faithful love endures forever.

Then all the people left for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household.

So Nathan told David, "Do all that is on your heart, for God is with you."