Study Desk

The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab. Later, Asahel's son Zebadiah took his place as commander. There were 24,000 men in Asahel's group.

The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth from Zerah's family. There were 24,000 men in Shamhuth's group.

The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh from the town of Tekoa. There were 24,000 men in Ira's group.

The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Helez from the Pelonites and a descendant of Ephraim. There were 24,000 men in Helez's group.

The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai from Hushah and from Zerah's family. There were 24,000 men in Sibbecai's group.

The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer from the town of Anathoth and the tribe of Benjamin. There were 24,000 men in Abiezer's group.

The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai from Netophah and from Zerah's family. There were 24,000 men in Maharai's group.

The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah from Pirathon and the tribe of Ephraim. There were 24,000 men in Benaiah's group.

The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai from Netophah and from Othniel's family. There were 24,000 men in Heldai's group.

This is the list of men who were responsible for the king's property: Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king's storerooms. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storerooms in the small towns, villages, fields, and towers.

King David stood up and said, "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. In my heart I wanted to build a place to keep the Box of the Lord 's Agreement. I wanted to build a place that would be God's footstool. And I made the plans for building that house for God.

But God said to me, ‘No David, you must not build a house for my name. You must not do that because you are a soldier, and you have killed many men.'

"And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father. Serve God with a pure heart. Be happy to serve him, because the Lord knows what is in everyone's heart. He knows what you are thinking. If you go to him for help, you will get an answer. But if you turn away from him, he will leave you forever.

Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for building the Temple. They included plans for the porch around the Temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the room for the mercy-cover.

David had made plans for all parts of the Temple. He gave them to Solomon. David gave him all the plans for the courtyard around the Lord 's Temple and for all the rooms around it. He gave him the plans for the Temple storerooms and for the storerooms where they kept the holy things used in the Temple.

There were plans for gold lamps and lampstands, and there were plans for silver lamps and lampstands. David told Solomon how much gold or silver to use for each lampstand and its lamps. The different lampstands were to be used where needed.

David told him how much gold should be used for each table for the holy bread and how much silver should be used for the silver tables.

He told him how much pure gold should be used for the altar of incense. David also gave Solomon the plans for God's chariot—the mercy-cover with the Cherub angels spreading their wings over the Box of the Lord 's Agreement. The Cherub angels were made of gold.

The groups of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on God's Temple. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The officials and all the people will obey every command you give."

King David said to all the Israelites who were gathered together, "God chose my son Solomon. Solomon is young and does not know all that he needs to do this work. But the work is very important. This house is not for people; this house is for the Lord God.