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FIRST CHRONICLES

the treasuries in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite; 28and over the olive-trees and the sycomore-trees that were in the Lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash; 29and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai; 30and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; 31and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

32Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons; 33and Ahithophel was the king's counsellor; and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend; 34and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the captain of the king's host was Joab.

28 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and cattle of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valour, unto Jerusalem. 2Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said: 'Hear me, my brethren, and my people; as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. 3But God said unto me: Thou shalt not build a house for My name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood. 4Howbeit the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever; for He hath chosen Judah to be prince, and in the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; 5and of all my sons—for the Lord hath given me many sons—He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6And He said unto me: Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be to Me for a son, and I will be to him for a father. 7And I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do My commandments and Mine ordinances, as at this day. 8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever.

9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever. 10Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to

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