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and brave soldiers, and so David made them officers in his army. They fought on his side when enemy troops attacked.

The kingdom of Israel had been taken away from Saul, and it now belonged to David. He was ruling from Hebron, and thousands of well-trained soldiers from each tribe went there to crown David king of all Israel, just as the Lord had promised. These soldiers, who were always prepared for battle, included: 6,800 from Judah, who were armed with shields and spears; 7,100 from Simeon; 4,600 from Levi, including Jehoiada, who was a leader from Aaron's descendants, and his 3,700 men, as well as Zadok, who was a brave soldier, and 22 of his relatives, who were also officers; 3,000 from Benjamin, because this was Saul's own tribe and most of the men had remained loyal to him; 20,800 from Ephraim, who were not only brave, but also famous in their clans; 18,000 from West Manasseh, who had been chosen to help make David king; 200 leaders from Issachar, along with troops under their command—these leaders knew the right time to do what needed to be done; 50,000 from Zebulun, who were not only loyal, but also trained to use any weapon; 1,000 officers from Naphtali and 37,000 soldiers armed with shields and spears; 28,600 from Dan; 40,000 from Asher; and 120,000 from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh, who were armed with all kinds of weapons.

Some time later, David talked with his army commanders,

The chest stayed there for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom, his family, and everything he owned.

David now knew that the Lord had made him a powerful king of Israel for the good of his people.

His children born there were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

David and his army marched to Baal-Perazim, where they attacked and defeated the Philistines. He said, "I defeated my enemies because God broke through them like a mighty flood." So he named the place "The Lord Broke Through."

Then David ordered his troops to burn the idols that the Philistines had left behind.

Uriel, the leader of the Kohath clan, and one hundred twenty of his relatives;

Asaiah, the leader of the Merari clan, and two hundred twenty of his relatives;

Joel, the leader of the Gershon clan, and one hundred thirty of his relatives;

Shemaiah, the leader of the Elizaphan clan, and two hundred of his relatives;

Eliel, the leader of the Hebron clan, and eighty of his relatives; and

Amminadab, the leader of the Uzziel clan, with one hundred twelve of his relatives.

The men chosen to play the cymbals were Heman the son of Joel, his relative Asaph the son of Berechiah, and Ethan the son of Kushaiah from the Merari clan. Some of their assistants played the smaller harps: they were Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah. Others played the larger harps: they were Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Azaziah, and two of the temple guards, Obed-Edom and Jeiel.

They put the sacred chest inside the tent that David had set up for it, then they offered sacrifices to please the Lord and sacrifices to ask his blessing.

Asaph was their leader, and Zechariah was his assistant. Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and another man named Jeiel were appointed to play small harps and stringed instruments. Asaph himself played the cymbals,

That same day, David instructed Asaph and his relatives for the first time to sing these praises to the Lord :

Praise the Lord and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done.

Sing praises to the Lord ! Tell about his miracles.