They were armed with bows and could shoot arrows or sling stones right or left-handed. They were fellow tribesmen of Saul from Benjamin.) These were:

Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills.

The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

But David could not go before it to seek God's will, for he was afraid of the sword of the Lord's messenger.

David supplied a large amount of iron for the nails of the doors of the gates and for braces, more bronze than could be weighed,

and more cedar logs than could be counted. (The Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large amount of cedar logs to David.)

King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the Lord's covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God. I have made the preparations for building it.