Study Desk

Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader; 24,000 were in his division.

The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of the priest Jehoiada; 24,000 were in his division.

The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him; 24,000 were in his division.

The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; 24,000 were in his division.

The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; 24,000 were in his division.

The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.

The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.

The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite; 24,000 were in his division.

The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.

The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.

The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel’s family; 24,000 were in his division.

for the Levites, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok;

for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael;

for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

for the Ephraimites, Hoshea son of Azaziah;

for half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah;

for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham.

David didn’t count the men aged twenty or under, for the Lord had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.

Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the Lord’s covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build,

but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’