Study Desk

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.”

So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

Then the Levites carried the ark of God the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord: on their shoulders with the poles.

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.

Because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, with God’s help, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

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.

David appointed some of the Levites to be ministers before the ark of the Lord, to celebrate the Lord God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to him.

and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

He is the Lord our God;his judgments govern the whole earth.

And say: “Save us, God of our salvation;gather us and rescue us from the nationsso that we may give thanks to your holy nameand rejoice in your praise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israelfrom everlasting to everlasting.”

Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the city gate.

So Nathan told David, “Do all that is on your mind, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan:

This was a little thing to you, God, for you have spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, Lord God.

Lord, there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms.

And who is like your people Israel? God, you came to one nation on earth to redeem a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself through great and awesome works by driving out nations before your people you redeemed from Egypt.

You made your people Israel your own people forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

Let your name be confirmed and magnified forever in the saying, “The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.” May the house of your servant David be established before you.

Since you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house, your servant has found courage to pray in your presence.