Study Desk

David did just as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.

David constructed buildings in the City of David; he then prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

Then David said, "Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before him perpetually."

He told them: "You are the leaders of the Levites' families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it.

The first time you did not carry it; that is why the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask him about the proper way to carry it."

The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

The descendants of Levi carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according to the divine command.

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; Obed-Edom and Jehiel were also guardians of the ark.

When God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the Lord 's covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

They brought the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

He appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord , to offer prayers, songs of thanks, and hymns to the Lord God of Israel.

He is the Lord our God; he carries out judgment throughout the earth.

Say this prayer: "Deliver us, O God who delivers us! Gather us! Rescue us from the nations! Then we will give thanks to your holy name, and boast about your praiseworthy deeds."

May the Lord God of Israel be praised, in the future and forevermore. Then all the people said, "We agree! Praise the Lord !"

Heman and Jeduthun were in charge of the music, including the trumpets, cymbals, and the other musical instruments used in praising God. The sons of Jeduthun guarded the entrance.

Nathan said to David, "You should do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you."

That night God told Nathan the prophet,

David went in, sat before the Lord , and said: "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you should have brought me to this point?

And you did not stop there, O God! You have also spoken about the future of your servant's family. You have revealed to me what men long to know, O Lord God.

O Lord , there is none like you; there is no God besides you! What we heard is true!