Study Desk

The next spring, the time when kings go to war, Joab marched out in command of the Israelite army and destroyed towns all over the country of Ammon. He attacked the capital city of Rabbah and left it in ruins. But David stayed in Jerusalem.

But David would not change his mind. And so Joab went everywhere in Israel and Judah and counted the people. He returned to Jerusalem

David prayed, "I am your servant. But what I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Please forgive me."

"Tell David that I will punish him in one of three ways. But he will have to choose which one it will be."

David was miserable and said, "It's a terrible choice to make! But the Lord is kind, and I'd rather have him punish me than for anyone else to do it."

Then he sent an angel to destroy the city of Jerusalem. But just as the angel was about to do that, the Lord felt sorry for all the suffering he had caused the people, and he told the angel, "Stop! They have suffered enough." This happened at the threshing place that belonged to Araunah the Jebusite.

But David replied, "No! I want to pay you what they're worth. I can't just take something from you and then offer the Lord a sacrifice that cost me nothing."

He said, "The temple for the Lord must be great, so that everyone in the world will know about it. But since my son Solomon is young and has no experience, I will make sure that everything is ready for the temple to be built." That's why David did all these things before he died.

But some time ago, he told me, "David, you have killed too many people and have fought too many battles. That's why you are not the one to build my temple.

But when your son becomes king, I will give him peace throughout his kingdom. His name will be Solomon, because during his rule I will keep Israel safe and peaceful.

Later, Shimei had four more sons, in the following order: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. But Jeush and Beriah didn't have many children, so their descendants were counted as one family.

But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That's why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel.

Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count the people, but he stopped when the Lord began punishing Israel. So the total number was never included in David's official records.

but the Lord has refused to let me build it, because he said I have killed too many people in battle.

The Lord has blessed me with many sons, but he chose my son Solomon to be the next king of Israel.

Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.

But you must see that everything is done according to these plans. Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The Lord my God will help you do everything needed to finish the temple, so it can be used for worshiping him.

David told the crowd: God chose my son Solomon to build the temple, but Solomon is young and has no experience. This is not just any building—this is the temple for the Lord God!

But why should we be happy that we have given you these gifts? They belong to you, and we have only given back what is already yours.