ARKCODEX
2 Samuel
Ch. 22
David's Song of Victory
1When the Lord saved David from Saul and his other enemies, David sang this song to the Lord:
2The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress.
3My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. He is my savior; he protects me and saves me from violence.
4I call to the Lord, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the Lord!
5The waves of death were all around me; the waves of destruction rolled over me.
6The danger of death was around me, and the grave set its trap for me.
7In my trouble I called to the Lord; I called to my God for help. In his temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.
8Then the earth trembled and shook; the foundations of the sky rocked and quivered because God was angry!
9Smoke poured out of his nostrils, a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth.
10He tore the sky open and came down, with a dark cloud under his feet.
11He flew swiftly on his winged creature; he traveled on the wings of the wind.
12He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him;
13burning coals flamed up from the lightning before him.
14Then the Lord thundered from the sky, and the voice of Almighty God was heard.
15He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; with flashes of lightning he sent them running.
16The floor of the ocean was laid bare, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered when the Lord rebuked his enemies and roared at them in anger.
17The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters.
18He rescued me from my powerful enemies and from all those who hate me— they were too strong for me.
19When I was in trouble, they attacked me, but the Lord protected me.
20He helped me out of danger; he saved me because he was pleased with me.
21The Lord rewards me because I do what is right; he blesses me because I am innocent.
22I have obeyed the law of the Lord; I have not turned away from my God.
23I have observed all his laws; I have not disobeyed his commands.
24He knows that I am faultless, that I have kept myself from doing wrong.
25And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent.
26O Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you, and completely good to those who are perfect.
27You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked.
28You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud.
29You, Lord, are my light; you dispel my darkness.
30You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses.
31This God—how perfect are his deeds, how dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.
32The Lord alone is God; God alone is our defense.
33This God is my strong refuge; he makes my pathway safe.
34He makes me sure-footed as a deer; he keeps me safe on the mountains.
35He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow.
36O Lord, you protect me and save me; your help has made me great.
37You have kept me from being captured, and I have never fallen.
38I pursue my enemies and defeat them; I do not stop until I destroy them.
39I strike them down, and they cannot rise; they lie defeated before me.
40You give me strength for the battle and victory over my enemies.
41You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me.
42They look for help, but no one saves them; they call to the Lord, but he does not answer.
43I crush them, and they become like dust; I trample on them like mud in the streets.
44You saved me from my rebellious people and maintained my rule over the nations; people I did not know have now become my subjects.
45Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey.
46They lose their courage and come trembling from their fortresses.
47The Lord lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the strong God who saves me!
48He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me
49and saves me from my foes. O Lord, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent men.
50And so I praise you among the nations; I sing praises to you.
51God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever.
1 Chronicles
Ch. 27
Military and Civil Organization
1This is the list of the Israelite heads of families and clan leaders and their officials who administered the work of the kingdom. Each month of the year a different group of twenty-four thousand men was on duty under the commander for that month.
2-15The following were the commanders for each month: First month: Jashobeam son of Zabdiel (he was a member of the clan of Perez, a part of the tribe of Judah) Second month: Dodai, a descendant of Ahohi (Mikloth was his second in command) Third month: Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest; he was the leader of “The Thirty” (his son Ammizabad succeeded him as commander of this group) Fourth month: Asahel, brother of Joab (his son Zebadiah succeeded him) Fifth month: Shamhuth, a descendant of Izhar Sixth month: Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa Seventh month: Helez, an Ephraimite from Pelon Eighth month: Sibbecai from Hushah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah, a part of the tribe of Judah) Ninth month: Abiezer from Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin Tenth month: Maharai from Netophah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah) Eleventh month: Benaiah from Pirathon in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim Twelfth month: Heldai from Netophah (he was a descendant of Othniel)
Administration of the Tribes of Israel
16-22This is the list of the administrators of the tribes of Israel: Tribe Administrator Reuben Eliezer son of Zichri Simeon Shephatiah son of Maacah Levi Hashabiah son of Kemuel Aaron Zadok Judah Elihu, one of King David's brothers Issachar Omri son of Michael Zebulun Ishmaiah son of Obadiah Naphtali Jeremoth son of Azriel Ephraim Hoshea son of Azaziah West Manasseh Joel son of Pedaiah East Manasseh Iddo son of Zechariah Benjamin Jaasiel son of Abner Dan Azarel son of Jeroham
23King David did not take a census of the people who were under the age of twenty, because of the Lord's promise to make the people of Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.
24Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, began to take a census, but he did not complete it. God punished Israel because of this census, so the final figures were never recorded in King David's official records.
Administrators of the Royal Property
25-31This is the list of those who administered the royal property: Royal storerooms: Azmaveth son of Adiel Local storerooms: Jonathan son of Uzziah Farm labor: Ezri son of Chelub Vineyards: Shimei from Ramah Wine cellars: Zabdi from Shepham Olive and sycamore trees (in the western foothills): Baal Hanan from Geder Olive oil storage: Joash Cattle in the Plain of Sharon: Shitrai from Sharon Cattle in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai Camels: Obil, an Ishmaelite Donkeys: Jehdeiah from Meronoth Sheep and goats: Jaziz, a Hagrite
David's Personal Advisers
32Jonathan, King David's uncle, was a skillful adviser and a scholar. He and Jehiel son of Hachmoni were in charge of the education of the king's sons.
33Ahithophel was adviser to the king, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend and counselor.
34After Ahithophel died, Abiathar and Jehoiada son of Benaiah became advisers. Joab was commander of the royal army.
Psalms
Ch. 41
A Prayer in Sickness
1Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.
2The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives; he will make them happy in the land; he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.
3The Lord will help them when they are sick and will restore them to health.
4I said, “I have sinned against you, Lord; be merciful to me and heal me.”
5My enemies say cruel things about me. They want me to die and be forgotten.
6Those who come to see me are not sincere; they gather bad news about me and then go out and tell it everywhere.
7All who hate me whisper to each other about me, they imagine the worst about me.
8They say, “He is fatally ill; he will never leave his bed again.”
9Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
10Be merciful to me, Lord, and restore my health, and I will pay my enemies back.
11They will not triumph over me, and I will know that you are pleased with me.
12You will help me, because I do what is right; you will keep me in your presence forever.
13Praise the Lord, the God of Israel! Praise him now and forever! Amen! Amen!