(His Judahite wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) These were the sons of Pharaoh's daughter Bithiah, whom Mered married.

Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These were his sons; they were family leaders.

He did not seek the Lord's guidance, so the Lord killed him and transferred the kingdom to David son of Jesse.

and said, "God forbid that I should do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?" Because they risked their lives to bring it to him, he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors.

Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who gained fame along with the three elite warriors.

Let's move the ark of our God back here, for we did not seek his will throughout Saul's reign."

David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Boast about his holy name! Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually!

He let no one oppress them, he disciplined kings for their sake,

O Lord, for the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing in order to reveal your greatness.

Be strong! Let's fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!"

David looked up and saw the Lord's messenger standing between the earth and sky with his sword drawn and in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. David and the leaders, covered with sackcloth, threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.

David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. He called out to the Lord, and the Lord responded by sending fire from the sky and consuming the burnt sacrifice on the altar.

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

Now seek the Lord your God wholeheartedly and with your entire being! Get up and build the sanctuary of the Lord God! Then you can bring the ark of the Lord's covenant and the holy items dedicated to God's service into the temple that is built to honor the Lord."

David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.

"And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one's thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.

O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.