David

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to him: Go up, and I will deliver them into thy hand.

And when they were come to Baalpharasim, David defeated them there, and he said: God hath divided my enemies by my hand, as waters are divided: and therefore the name of that place was called Baalpharasim.

And they left there their gods, and David commanded that they should be burnt.

And David consulted God again, and God said to him: Go not up after them, turn away from them, and come upon them over against the pear trees.

And David did as God had commanded him, and defeated the army of the Philistines, slaying them from Gabaon to Gazera.

And the name of David became famous in all countries, and the Lord made all nations fear aim.

He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it.

Then David said: No one ought to carry the ark of God, but the Levites, whom the Lord hath chosen to carry it, and to minister unto himself for ever.

And he gathered all Israel together into Jerusalem, that the ark of God might be brought into its place, which he had prepared for it.

And the sons of Aaron also, and the Levites.

And David called Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites, Uriel, Asaia, Joel, Semeia, Eliel, and Aminadab:

And David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites, to appoint some of their brethren to be singers with musical instruments, to wit, on psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, that the joyful noise might resound on high.

So David and all the ancients of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that carried the ark, and the singing men, and Chonenias the ruler of the prophecy among the singers: and David also had on him an ephod of linen.

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent, which David had pitched for it: and they offered holocausts, and peace offerings before God.

And when David had made an end of offering holocausts, and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

In that day David made Asaph the chief to give praise to the Lord with his brethren.

And all the people returned to their houses: and David to bless also his own house.

Now when David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet: Behold I dwell in a house of cedar: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under skins.

And Nathan said to David: Do all that is in thy heart: for God is with thee.

Go, and speak to David my servant: Thus saith the Lord: Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in.

Now therefore thus shalt thou say to my servant David: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I took thee from the pastures, from following the flock, that thou shouldst be ruler of my people Israel.

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.

And king David came and sat before the Lord, and said: Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou shouldst give such things to me?