The Reign of David

And Japhia, and Elisama, and Elioda, and Eliphaleth.

And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel: and they all came to seek David: and when David heard of it, he went down to a strong hold.

And the Philistines coming spread themselves in the valley of Raphaim.

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

And David came to Baal Pharisim: and defeated them there, and he said, The Lord hath divided my enemies before me, as waters are divided. Therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharisim.

And they left there their idols: which David and his men took away.

And the Philistines came up again and spread themselves into the valley of Raphaim.

And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees.

And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines.

And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and he smote the Philistines from Gabaa until thou come to Gezer.

And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sitteth over it upon the cherubims.

And they laid the ark of God upon a new cart: and took it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, and Oza and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

And when they had taken it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, Ahio having care of the ark of God went before the ark.

But David and all Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

And when they came to the floor of Nachon, Oza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: because the oxen kicked and made it lean aside.

And the indignation of the Lord was enkindled against Oza, and he struck him for his rashness: and he died there before the ark of God.

And David was grieved because the Lord had struck Oza, and the name of that place was called: The striking of Oza, to this day.

And David was afraid of the Lord that day, saying: How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?

And he would not have the ark of the Lord brought in to himself into the city of David: but he caused it to be carried into the house of Obededom the Gethite.

And the ark of the Lord abode in the house of Obededom the Gethite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.

And it was told king David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that he had, because of the ark of God. So David went, and brought away the ark of God out of the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims.

And when they that carried the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed and ox and a ram:

And David danced with all his might before the Lord: and David was girded with a linen ephod.

And David and all the louse of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with sound of trumpet.