The Reign of David

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.

So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.

And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.

So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.

Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals

and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

On that day David first committed to Asaph and his brothers this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:

“Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.

He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

Remember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—

the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.

He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,