Study Desk

But that same night God said to Nathan,

David said, "I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me." So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father's death. But when David's ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon,

But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David's forces killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army.

But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shimea.

These Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.

But Joab replied, "May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?"

But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem

But Joab did not include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin in the census because he was so distressed at what the king had made him do.

"I'm in a desperate situation!" David replied to Gad. "But let me fall into the hands of the Lord , for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, "Stop! That is enough!" At that moment the angel of the Lord was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

And David said to God, "I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people."

But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord . I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!"

But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord .

"But the Lord said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name.

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons. So only Eleazar and Ithamar were left to carry on as priests.

Joab son of Zeruiah began the census but never finished it because the anger of God fell on Israel. The total number was never recorded in King David's official records.

but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.'

"And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!