78 passages · Jesus and the church
Moses asks if they will let their brothers fight while they stay behind. He warns of the earlier generation at Kadesh-barnea who discouraged Israel and were kept from the land, and says they risk the same.
The tribes promise to build folds and cities for their families but to arm themselves and go ahead of Israel until everyone has their land. Moses agrees on condition they keep this promise.
The eastern tribes answer that they will obey Joshua as they obeyed Moses. They add a warning that anyone who rebels will be put to death, and they echo the call to be strong.
Joshua praises Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh for keeping their promises, blesses them and sends them home. He urges them to love the LORD and keep His law.
The returning tribes build a large altar by the Jordan, and the other Israelites gather at Shiloh to go to war. They first send Phinehas and ten chiefs to accuse them of rebelling, recalling Peor and Achan.
The eastern tribes swear that they did not build the altar in rebellion. They say it is a copy meant as a witness that they too worship the LORD, so their descendants will not be shut out.
Phinehas and the chiefs accept the explanation, and the Israelites give up the idea of war. The eastern tribes name the altar Witness.
Deborah and Barak are summoned to rise, and the tribes are named: Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir, Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali answered the call. Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and Asher are rebuked for staying behind.
Israelites from several tribes join the pursuit, and Gideon calls Ephraim to seize the Jordan fords. They capture and kill the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb and bring their heads to Gideon.
Ephraim complains that Gideon did not call them to the fight against Midian. Gideon answers modestly that their capture of Oreb and Zeeb outdid his own efforts, and their anger subsides.
The Philistines camp in Judah at Lehi to arrest Samson, and 3,000 men of Judah go to Samson's cave to bind him. He lets them tie him with two new ropes after they promise not to kill him.
All Israel assembles at Mizpah, 400,000 men strong, and the Levite tells his account of what happened at Gibeah and asks for their verdict. He says the men of Gibeah meant to kill him and abused his concubine so that she died.
Israel had sworn at Mizpah not to give daughters in marriage to Benjamin. Gathered at Bethel, they weep that one tribe is now missing and ask how the survivors can get wives without breaking the oath.
The tribes debate restoring David, and David asks Judah's elders not to be last. He offers Amasa Joab's place, and Judah calls him back.
Israel complains Judah took the king without them. Judah replies that David is their relative, and Israel claims ten shares in him.
A Benjamite named Sheba calls the tribes to abandon David, and Israel follows him while Judah stays loyal. David places the ten concubines he left behind under guard.
The chapter lists warriors from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin who joined David at Ziklag while he was banished. They were skilled with both hands at slinging stones and shooting arrows.
More Benjamites and Judahites come to David, who asks whether they come in peace or to betray him. Moved by the Spirit, Amasai declares their loyalty, and David receives them as leaders of his troops.
Some men of Manasseh join David when the Philistine rulers send him away from their war against Saul. They help him against raiders as more men come each day, until his army is great.
The numbers of armed men from each tribe who came to Hebron to make David king are listed. They range from Judah to the tribes east of the Jordan.
All the men came determined to make David king over all Israel and shared a three-day feast. Neighbors brought abundant food, and there was joy in Israel.
King Hezekiah and his assembly decide to keep the Passover in the second month, since the priests and people were not ready in the first. He sends word to both Judah and the northern tribes inviting everyone to Jerusalem.
The Jeshanah Gate is repaired, and craftsmen such as goldsmiths and perfumers join in. Two district rulers also work, one with the help of his daughters, continuing along the wall to the Tower of the Ovens.
The Valley Gate, the Dung Gate, and the Fountain Gate are rebuilt by local residents and district rulers, each fitted with doors, bolts, and bars.
Levites, district rulers, and priests repair sections toward the tombs of David and the house of the high priest. Others work on the eastern side near Ophel, with the Tekoites doing a second section.
Priests, guards, goldsmiths, and merchants repair their sections near the Horse Gate and East Gate, closing the circuit at the Sheep Gate where the chapter began.
A procession of God into the sanctuary is described, with singers, musicians and tribal leaders. The psalm prays that God show his strength and that kings and nations, including Egypt and Cush, bring gifts to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is described as a compact, unified city to which the tribes of the LORD go up to give thanks. It is also the seat of judgment, with thrones of David's house.
The psalmist urges people to pray for Jerusalem's peace and security, and he pledges to seek its good for the sake of his people and the house of the LORD.
David says how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity, comparing it to fragrant oil on Aaron's head and to dew from Hermon falling on Zion, where the LORD commands blessing.