Study Desk

There were 1760 priests. They were leaders of their families. They were responsible for the work of serving in God's Temple.

The gatekeepers' relatives who lived in the small towns had to come and help them at certain times. They came and helped the gatekeepers for seven days each time.

There were four gatekeepers who were the leaders of all the gatekeepers. They were Levites. They had the job of caring for the rooms and treasures in God's Temple.

Some of the gatekeepers had the job of caring for the dishes used in the Temple services. They counted them when they were brought in. They also counted these dishes when they were taken out.

Other gatekeepers were chosen to care for the furniture and the special dishes. They also took care of the flour, wine, oil, incense, and special oil.

There was a Levite named Mattithiah who had the job of baking the bread used for the offerings. Mattithiah was Shallum's oldest son. Shallum was from the Korah family.

The Levites who were singers and leaders of their families stayed in the rooms at the Temple. They did not have to do other work because they were responsible for the work in the Temple day and night.

All the brave men from Jabesh Gilead went to get the bodies of Saul and his sons. They brought them back to Jabesh Gilead. They buried the bones of Saul and his sons under the large tree in Jabesh. Then they showed their sadness and fasted for seven days.

Saul died because he was not faithful to the Lord . He did not obey the Lord 's word. Saul also went to a medium and asked her for advice

David was thirsty for some water from his hometown, so he said, "Oh, if only I could have some water from that well by the gate in Bethlehem."

David said, "God, I cannot drink this water. It would be like drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives to get this water for me." That is why David refused to drink the water. The Three Heroes did many brave things like that.

Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai the officer from Beeroth, who carried the armor for Joab son of Zeruiah;

Part of the tribe of Gad joined David at his fortress in the desert. They were brave soldiers trained for war and skilled with the shield and spear. They looked as fierce as lions, and they could run as fast as gazelles through the mountains.

These are the numbers of the men who came to David at the town of Hebron. These men were ready for war. They came to give Saul's kingdom to David. That is what the Lord said would happen. This is their number:

From the tribe of Judah there were 6800 men ready for war. They carried shields and spears.

From the tribe of Simeon there were 7100 men. They were brave soldiers ready for war.

From the family of Issachar there were 200 wise leaders. These men understood the right thing for Israel to do at the right time. Their relatives were with them and under their command.

From the tribe of Dan there were 28,600 men ready for war.

From the tribe of Asher there were 40,000 trained soldiers ready for war.

All these men were brave fighters. They came to the town of Hebron for one reason—to make David king of all Israel. All the other Israelites also agreed that David should be king.