Study Desk

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

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

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

The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000.

The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites; and in his division were 24,000.

The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000.

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

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

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;

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

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

for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;

for the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;

for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

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 had made preparations to build it.

"But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.'

"Yet, the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen 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.

"Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

"He 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.