Study Desk

The Philistines had left their idols at Baal Perazim. David ordered his men to burn the idols.

David prayed to God again, and God answered his prayer. God said, "David, don't follow the Philistines up the hill when you attack. Instead, go around them and hide on the other side of the balsam trees.

David did what God told him to do. So David and his men defeated the Philistine army. They killed Philistine soldiers all the way from the town of Gibeon to the town of Gezer.

Then the Levites got Heman and his brothers, Asaph and Ethan. Heman was Joel's son. Asaph was Berekiah's son. Ethan was Kushaiah's son. These men were from the Merari tribe.

Asaph was the leader of the first group. His group played the cymbals. Zechariah was the leader of the second group. The other Levites were Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel. These men played the lyres and harps.

This was when David first gave Asaph and his brothers the job of singing praises to the Lord .

Be proud of his holy name. You followers of the Lord , be happy!

Remember the amazing things he has done. Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.

The people of Israel are his servants. The descendants of Jacob are his chosen people.

Remember his agreement forever, the promise he gave that will never end.

Remember the agreement he made with Abraham Remember his promise to Isaac.

At the time God said this, there were only a few of his people, and they were strangers there.

He lives in the presence of glory and honor. His Temple is a place of power and joy.

Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory. Come into his presence with your offerings. Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.

Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. His faithful love will last forever.

Then David left Asaph and his brothers there in front of the Box of the Lord 's Agreement. David left them there to serve in front of it every day.

He also left Obed Edom and 68 other Levites to serve with Asaph and his brothers. Obed Edom and Hosah were guards. Obed Edom was Jeduthun's son.

Heman, Jeduthun, and all the other Levites were chosen by name to praise the Lord , singing, "His faithful love will last forever."

After the celebration, all the people left and went home. David also went home to bless his family.

After David had moved into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in this nice palace made of cedar, but the Box of the Lord 's Agreement sits in a tent."