1 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 25 - 29

1 CHRONICLES 25

1 Then David and the chiefs of hosts
Selected for tasks up to boasts
From Asaph’s sons, Heman’s as well
As Jeduthun’s who could do well
In prophesying on the harp,
Stringed instruments, cymbals to carp.
The number of skilled musicians
To perform their task benisons:

The rude and crude concept of prophet is
The man who rises to make future fizz
With his predictions of the things of state:
Of wars and peace, events of love and hate.
The brood of mood concepts of prophets make
Star wars the butt of the prophetic wake
With focus on the horns of beasts and all
The stars falling on bloody suns in stall.
But here the prophecy’s a sweeter tune,
The cantillation with the harp and rune
Of Psalm in temple rising on the air
To bring the soul to heaven for her share
Of love and life beyond the sacrifice
That earthly priests contend are all that’s nice.

2 Of Asaph’s sons Zaccur, Joseph,
Nethaniah, who held C clef,
And Asharelah, Asaph’s sons
Were led by Asaph’s benisons
Who prophesied by the king’s word.
3 Of Jeduthun, his sons occurred:
Gedaliah, Zeri and yet
Jeshaiah and Shimei well met,
Hashabiah and Mattithiah,
Six under the lead of their prior
Jeduthun, who prophesied by
The harp to give thanks to the sky
And praise to YHWH with song and cry.
4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah ran,
Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth,
Hananiah, Hanani troth,
Eliathah, Giddalti and
Romamti-Ezer with firm hand,
Joshbekashah, Mallothi, both
Hothir, at last Mahazioth.
5 All these were the sons of Heman
The king’s seer in the words’ span
Of Ælohim, to raise his horn.
For Ælohim gave Heman born
Fourteen sons, three daughters unshorn.
6 All these were under their dad’s lead
For music in YHWH’s house to speed
With cymbals, instruments of string,
And harps, for service and to sing
In Ælohim’s house and dwelling.
Asaph, Jeduthun, Heman’s ring
Were under the hand of the king.
7 So the number of them, with their
Brothers who were instructed fair
In the songs of YHWH, all with skill,
Was two hundred eighty-eight’s fill.

The mosque, some synagogues and even churches
Forego the instruments of music birches
And raise a song to You from human lips
Alone and in love only for its sips.
But in the day of David, all the choir
Accompanied the cymbals, harp and lyre
Until the temple rang with joy of song
And hearts were turned to truth away from wrong.
Beloved, I lift the sound of string to You
And prophesy in singing as I do
Without the skill of Heman and the true
Fourteen infallibles, three sisters too.
I link a line back to fair David’s tent
And find a place where best my days are spent.

8 And they cast lots to fill their task,
The small as well as great to bask,
The teacher with the pupil mask.
9 The first lot for Asaph fell to
Joseph, the second one of two
For Gedaliah and his crew
Of brothers and sons, twelve in view,
10 The third for Zaccur, and his sons
And his brothers, twelve in their runs,
11 The fourth for Jizri, his offspring
And his brothers, twelve in a ring,
12 The fifth for Nethaniah and
His sons and brothers, twelve to stand,
13 The sixth for Bukkiah to send
His sons and brothers, twelve to lend,
14 The seventh for Jesharelah,
His sons and brothers, twelve in awe,
15 The eighth for Jeshaiah to delve,
His sons and his brothers make twelve,
16 The ninth for Mattaniah, his
Sons and his brothers, twelve to whiz,
17 The tenth for Shimei, his sons and
His brothers, twelve harpers to stand,
18 The eleventh for Azarel,
His sons and his brothers, twelve spell,
19 The twelfth for Hashabiah, and
His sons and brothers, twelve in band,
20 The thirteenth for Shubael’s way,
His sons and brothers, twelve in sway,
21 The fourteenth for Mattithiah,
His sons and brothers, twelve in awe,
22 The fifteenth then for Jeremoth,
His sons and brothers, twelve on oath,
23 The sixteenth for Hananiah,
His sons and brothers, twelve by law,
24 The seventeenth for Joshbekashah,
His sons and brothers, twelve not rasher,
25 The eighteenth then for Hanani,
His sons and his brothers, twelve free,
26 The nineteenth for Mallothi and
His sons and brothers, twelve in band,
27 The twentieth for Eliathah,
His sons and brothers, twelve in paw,
28 The twenty-first for Hothir’s set,
His sons and brothers, twelve to get,
29 The twenty-second for the man
Giddalti, his sons and his clan,
Twelve singers all by note and plan,
30 The twenty-third lot came up for
Mahazioth, his sons and more,
Twelve, 31 then lot number twenty-four
For Romamti-Ezer, his sons
And his brothers, twelve on their buns.

The choirs of twelve in David’s joyous throng
Sing Psalms above the din of priestly wrong
And show the clear path now before Your throne
Always the same and open to Your own.
How many now find their way to the choir
That eschews sacrifice of beast and shier?
Twenty-four times the twelve in secret space
Around the world stand up before Your face.
Beloved, though I can sing hardly a word
That falls on air here sweetly to be heard,
I still join in the hidden twelve to make
My voice join with the righteous for Your sake.
The twelves are hidden in the leafy trees
From all that in their churches shoot the breeze.

1 CHRONICLES 26

1 As for the groups of the gatekeepers:
Of Korahites and other weepers,
Meshelemiah son of Kore,
Of the sons of Asaph in sway.
2 And the sons of Meshelemiah
Were the firstborn one Zechariah,
Jediael the second, and then
Zebadiah the third of men,
Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam came
The fifth, Jehohanan of fame
The sixth, Eliehoenai
The seventh, the last to go by.

The seven gatekeepers in silence sit,
Hidden in plain sight, looking slow of wit,
The mystery of righteousness in task
Of keeping all the shoes of those who ask.
The Qalandar in every state and clime
Has the same chore in meter and in rhyme,
And knows beyond my comprehension each
Face to match with the shoes and hands to reach.
Beloved, I whirl in joy with sacred twelve,
And yet I know the hidden place to delve
To find the secret seven in their way.
The face may seem full in the wicked fey
Of worldliness, but truth is in its stay.
The wicker basket holds a sweeter peach.

4 The sons of Obed-Edom were
Shemaiah the firstborn to stir,
Jehozabad the second, and
Joah the third, Sacar in hand
The fourth, Nethanel and then came
The fifth, 5 Ammiel sixth in flame,
Issachar the seventh, and last
Peulthai the eighth, not downcast
For Ælohim blessed him and fast.
6 Also to Shemaiah his son
Were sons born who ruled as they won
Their fathers’ houses, because see
They were men of ability.
7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni,
Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad,
Whose brothers Elihu agree
And Semachiah were not sad.
8 All these were Obed-Edom’s sons,
They and their sons and brothers’ buns,
Fine men with strength to do the work:
Sixty-two, Obed-Edom’s perk.

The sons of Obed-Edom, the red slave,
Have given blessings to the world to rave
On how the gates are kept in the employ
Much loved by every wandering girl and boy.
Among the crooked streets of Zion’s town
Still found above the wailing wall and frown,
My feet seek out the many open doors
Come time for prayer, the guarded golden stores
Entranced by all the people there below
Long waiting for the starting of the show.
While gate-keepers still have their place to stand
Around the holy precincts of the land,
I meet them and I cross them with a word
Not uttered too soon by the swallow bird.

9 And Meshelemiah had sons
And brothers, eighteen able ones.
10 And Hosah, of Merari’s folk,
Had sons: Shimri the first good bloke,
In fact not the firstborn, but he
Was made first by father’s decree,
11 Hilkiah the second, the third
Tebaliah upon his word,
And Zechariah the fourth, all
The sons and brothers in the hall
Of Hosah were thirteen by call.
12 Among these were gatekeepers’ bands,
Among the chief men, having stands
Just like their brothers, to serve in
The house of YHWH for store and bin.
13 And they cast down lots for each gate,
Even the small as well as great,
According to father’s estate.
14 The lot for the east came up to
Shelemiah. Then once anew
They cast lots for his son in view,
Zechariah, wise counsellor,
And his lot running turned up for
The north, 15 to Obed-Edom then
The south, and to his sons and men
The store. 16 To Shuppim and Hosah
The west, and with it on the way
Ascending the Shallecheth gate,
Guards opposite each guard in wait.

The four winds enter in four open gates,
Hover about where the stone fountain waits
Out of the sunlit paving by the dome
Mounting in golden mass above the home
Across the rock where Abraham raised his
Son to be sacrificed like Moloch’s fizz.
My coming to the gate was nothing strange.
Casting about for an excuse and range
Emerging from the wooden pillars where
Lopped off and needing steps into the air
White garments graced the place of humble prayer.
Alright then, brother, enter in the boon.
It breaks the time of prayer in afternoon
No one can stumble on that crimson stair.

17 On the east were six Levites, on
The north four each day, and then drawn
On the south four each day, and for
The storehouse two by two at door.
18 As for the Parbar on the west,
There were four on the causeway’s vest,
And two at Parbar, all well dressed.
19 These were gatekeepers’ groups among
The sons of Korah and among
The sons of Merari unsung.
20 Of the Levites, Ahijah sat
Over the treasuries of scat
In the house of Ælohim and
Over the treasuries that stand
In dedication. 21 Laadan’s sons,
Descended from Gershonite buns
Of Laadan, chiefs of fathers’ runs,
Of Laadan the Gershonites’ band:
Jehieli. 22 And Jehieli’s sons,
Zetham and Joel his brother’s guns,
Were over the treasuries of
The house of YHWH for life and love.
23 Of Amramites, the Izharites,
The Hebronites, and Uzzielites:
24 Shebuel the son of Gershom,
The son of Moses, who in sum
Was guardian of the treasuries.
25 And his brothers by Eliezer
Were Rehabiah his son to stir,
Jeshaiah his son, Joram his
Son, Zichri his son, and a whiz
Shelomith his son for his biz.
26 Shelomith and his brothers sat
Over all the treasures on mat
Of dedicated things which King
David and chiefs of fathers’ wing,
Heads of thousands and hundreds, and
The army captains by command
Had dedicated all in hand.
27 Some of the spoils won in the war
They dedicated to the store
To keep YHWH’s house forevermore.
28 And all that Samuel the seer, Saul
The son of Kish, Abner with gall
The son of Ner, and Joab son
Of Zeruiah had begun
To dedicate, each holy thing
Under Shelomith’s hand and wing
As well as of his own sibling.

There are still things in David’s room that strike
Human ear, heart and eye to know the like
Out of the treasury of Kish’s son
Made known forever under Judah’s run.
Along the temple walls the flashing sight
Still scintillates and turns one to the right,
Masking eternal ways that Saul once knew
Come off the donkey mountains with their dew.
Even if I am thrust through with the sword
Long before I rise to degree adored,
Will not my copper pots still stand to take
A drought of heavenly water for Your sake?
I dedicate each holy thing again,
Not knowing now the why or where or when.

29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah
And his sons worked as no pariah
Officials to judge Israel
Outside Jerusalem and well.
30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah
And his brothers, one thousand higher
Seven hundred capable men,
Had rule of Israel again
On the west side of the Jordan
For all YHWH’s company and plan,
And in the service of the king.
31 Among the Hebronites’ sibling,
Jerijah head of Hebronites
According to his family rights.
In the fortieth year of reign
Of David they look not in vain
To find good men at Jazer of
Gilead in the land of love.
32 And his brothers were two thousand
Seven hundred good men at hand,
Chiefs of the fathers whom the king
David made civil servants’ sting
Over the Reubenites, Gadites,
And of Manasseh in their rights,
For every matter that related
To Ælohim and king instated.

The fortieth year of David’s reign allows
How many years I too have followed cows
On heavy fields lush with the morning crow,
Many days dawning in the way I grow.
A mass of years indeed, and yet I look
Still back upon those forty like a crook
Making my way back through the tangled mess
Come of my life of shadow, dream and guess.
Electric fantasies there may have been
Lounging through my mind caught up in its sin,
While forty years I’ve sought out David’s own
Around the peacock and the ivory throne.
I find that forty years are long and short,
Nothing desiring of another sort.

1 CHRONICLES 27

1 And the children of Israel,
According to their number’s spell,
The chiefs of fathers, generals
And captains, chiefs, perennials
Of every kind of group and band.
Each came and went in turn all year
By monthly turns, each group in all
Twenty-four thousand men on call.
2 Over the first division for
The first month was man on the score
Jashobeam son of Zabdiel,
And in his group there came to heel
Twenty-four thousand men for weal.
3 He was descended from Perez,
And chief of all the captains spread
Of the army the first month read.
4 Over the second month’s group’s sight
There was Dodai an Ahohite,
And Mikloth led his group in band
As it were twenty-four thousand.
5 The third army chief for the third
Month was Benaiah, the son stirred
Of Jehoiada the priest, who
Was head of his division’s crew,
Twenty-four thousand men in view.
6 This was the Benaiah mighty
Among the thirty, and witty
Over the thirty, in his group
Was Ammizabad his son’s troop.
7 The fourth for the fourth month in chief
Was Asahel brother in fief
Of Joab, and Zebadiah
His son after him, in his draw,
Twenty-four thousand men in awe.

The honour guards they seem who come each time,
Housed in the monthly cycle and the climb
Off mountain and on plain to fight if need
March in the army’s way and army’s seed.
All that I cherish must be guarded well,
Sunk in the treasurehouse of Israel.
My inner temple and my outer spell
Cannot suffice alone without the hand,
Enunciated, military, planned.
Link after link the troops file on to find
With me a house for lame and deaf and blind
Against the glow of health and wealth and all
I seek above Jerusalem in call,
Not daring more than hope without a fall.

8 The fifth chief for the fifth month came
As Shamhuth of Izrahite fame,
In his band twenty-four thousand.
9 The captain for the sixth month band
Was Ira son of Ikkesh manned
Tekoite, twenty-four thousand.
10 The seventh month’s chief place fell to
Helez the Pelonite, from crew
Of Ephraim, and in his band
Of men were twenty-four thousand.
11 The eighth chieftain come for the eighth
Month was Sibbechai, man of faith,
The Hushathite, of the Zarhites,
With twenty-four thousand strong wights.
12 The ninth captain for the ninth cycle,
Abiezer Anathothite, Michael
Of Benjamites, and in his band
Of warriors twenty-four thousand.
13 The tenth chief for tenth month in sight,
Maharai the Netophathite,
Of the Zarhites, and in his band
Of men were twenty-four thousand.
14 The eleventh chief of the round
Number eleven on the ground
Was Benaiah Pirathonite,
Of Ephraim’s folk, and on his right
Twenty-four thousand men in sight.
15 The twelfth chief for the twelfth ring fell
Heldai Netophathite, Othniel,
In his band twenty-four thousand
Strong men came forward and to stand.

The thousands make their way and at a stroke
How many twelves remain under the oak!
Oak of my promise and my seeing You,
My treasure and Beloved, above the pew,
Above the hearth and altar, and the lamp
Set in the early chamber from the damp.
Musk and perfume alight upon the way
Crossed by the many thousands in their day.
Each soldier there knew well what he should do,
Live in the light of Jerusalem’s clue.
White are the plumed troops and white are the fair,
Along the dusty road for here to there
I make a mystic path and step inside
Narcissus-lined gardens where I abide.

16 Moreover, tribes of Israel
Were ruled by such: the Reubenites
By Eliezer the son by rights
Of Zichri, over Simeonites,
Shephatiah son of Maachah,
17 Over the chosen Levites’ awe,
Hashabiah son of Kemuel,
Over the Aaronites, on stool
Zadok, 18 Over Judah to scan,
Elihu, David’s brothers’ man,
Over Issachar, Omri son
Of Michael, 19 over Zebulun,
Ishmaiah son of Obadiah,
Over Naphtali a great flier,
Jerimoth the son of Azriel,
20 Over children of Ephraim fell
Hoshea son of Azaziah,
Over Manasseh’s half-tribe’s fire,
Joel son of Pedaiah’s way,
21 Over half-tribe of Manasseh
In Gilead, Iddo the son
Of Zechariah once begun,
Over Benjamin, Jaasiel
The son of Abner for a spell,
22 And over Dan, Azarel son
Of Jeroham. These were the chiefs
Of Israel’s tribes in their reliefs.

The tribes of Israel are always twelve,
However one may try to dig and shelve.
On this list Levite is divided up
Making with Aaronite no single cup.
Asher and Gad are left out in the cold,
Simeon stands tall with the strong and bold,
Making the number of all Israel told
Come just to twelve. I think that way is from
Enunciating Ishmael’s family rum,
Lamenting any other number than
What Ishmael sets in precedent to plan.
Around the whirl I go and see my choice:
I follow David in twelve to rejoice,
Notice the prophecy of eye and voice.

23 But David did not count those under
Twenty years old, for YHWH like thunder
Had said He’d multiply the folk
Of Israel like the stars that choke
The heavens. 24 Joab who was son
Of Zeruiah had begun
A census, but he did not take
It to the end for the wrath’s sake
That came on Israel on account
Of this counting, nor was amount
Recorded in the chronicles
Of king David for miracles.
25 And Azmaveth son of Adiel
Was over the king’s treasure pile,
Jehonathan Uzziah’s son
Was over the barns by the ton
In the field, in the cities, in
The villages, and fortress bin.
26 Ezri the son of Chelub came
Over those who laboured for fame
In tilling the ground. 27 Shimei
The Ramathite came to rely
On the vineyard plots, and Zabdi
The Shiphmite was over produce
Of the vineyards to make grape juice.
28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite sat
Over the olive trees and flat
Over the sycamore trees that
Were in the plains, and Joash’ toil
Was caring for the store of oil.
29 And Shitrai the Sharonite stood
Over the herds that fed in wood
Of Sharon, and Shaphat the son
Of Adlai was over the ton
Of herds that were in valleys won.

The task of Gederite is great, I think,
He has to tend both olive trees and wink
On sycamores, the hardest task of all.
Methinks two men set to the latter ball
About enough, but one to share the toil
Sometimes absent, is just too much in coil.
My hope of Geder matches Your own here,
Consistent with the prophecy in ear.
Except I wait the Prophet’s spoken word
Light on the banks of Ghadir to the herd,
Wonder escapes my steps. My thanks to You
Always for keeping Gederite in view.
I take the hand of Ali and I dance
Nowhere outside his glowing circumstance.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite cared for
The camels well, and Jehdeiah
The Meronothite was in paw
Over the donkeys, 31 and Jaziz
The Hagrite chief of flocks of his:
All these were officers to keep
King David’s property in heap.
32 Also there was Jehonathan,
David’s uncle, counsel, wise man,
And a scribe, and Jehiel the son
Of Hachmoni tutored the ton
Of the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel
Was the king’s counsellor to tell,
And Hushai the Archite was one
To be the king’s companion.
34 After Ahithophel was one
Jehoiada son of Benaiah,
Then Abiathar for no denier.
The chief of the king’s army stood
Joab as stalwart as he could.

There is no talent in my breast, it seems
Hand and skill forsake me along the streams
Of poetry. I have not even skill
Made sweet by melody upon the hill
Across the flocks of sheep, so I am still.
So I may not take care of camel or
Make donkeys carry till their muscle’s sore,
Care for the king’s sons or give counsel wise
Encountered in the court by David’s eyes.
Let me then be companion to the king
With Hushai the Archite, no need to sing.
Among the servants of David to stand
I may be least, but have at my command
No interests to distract me from his hand.

1 CHRONICLES 28

1 David gathered together at
Jerusalem all those who sat
As leaders of Israel: the chiefs
Of the tribes and divisions’ chiefs
Who served the king, the captains over
Thousands and chiefs of hundreds rover,
And princes over all the stuff
And the king’s wealth and his sons’ rough,
With officers, the valiant men,
And all the mighty warrior men.
2 Then King David rose to his feet
And said, “Hear me, my brothers meet
And all my people: I had it
In my heart to build a house fit
For the ark of the covenant
Of YHWH, and for footstool and tent
Of our Ælohim, and I sent
For preparations to build it.
3 “But Ælohim said to me, ‘You
Shall not build a house for the view
Of My name, because you’ve been a man
Of war and bloodshed as by plan.’
4 “Nevertheless YHWH Ælohim
Of Israel chose me abeam
Of all my father’s house to be
King of Israel eternally,
For He chose Judah to be chief,
And of Judah’s house for relief,
The house of my father, among
The sons of my father unsung,
He was pleased with me to make me
King over all Israel in fee.
5 “And of all my sons, for YHWH gave
Me many sons not to enslave,
He’s chosen my son Solomon
To sit upon the kingdom’s throne
Of YHWH over Israel alone.
6 “Now He said to me, ‘It’s your son
Solomon who shall build when done
My house and My courts, for I chose
Him to be My son, and arose
To be his Father. 7 ‘Beyond that
I will establish rule out flat
Of his kingdom eternally,
If he is faithful to observe
My commandments and judgments’ verve,
As it is today.’ 8 “Now therefore,
In the sight of all Israel’s store,
The assembly of YHWH, and in
The hearing of our God for din,
Be careful to seek out and win
All the commandments of YHWH your
Ælohim, to possess this shore
That’s good, and leave it heritage
To your children after your age
Forever. 9 “As for you, my son
Solomon, know the God begun
Of your father, and serve Him by
A faithful heart and willing eye,
For YHWH searches all hearts and knows
All the intentions they enclose.
If you seek Him, He will be found
By you, but if you lose His ground,
He will reject you in the pound.
10 “Think hard about it now, for YHWH
Has chosen you to build with crew
A sanctuary house, be strong,
And do it now and don’t be long.”

The command come divine on Solomon
House of the Lord to build, an honour won
On David’s lack, for bloody hand in stack
Made so by his obeying Your own black
And sordid command to go out and kill,
Strikes me as less than ever on the bill.
Might You need any house, who cannot fill
Carts of the starry wastes of sky and rill?
Eccentric wishes or Your love in hand
Letting human heart have desires to stand
Wait in the kings last words to best-loved son.
Along the many paths of benison
I too turn toward Your house and bend the knee,
No other dwelling place but Your mercy.

11 David then gave plans to his son
Solomon to build what’s begun,
The porch, its chambers, treasuries,
Its inner rooms and by decrees
The place of mercy seat, 12 and plans
For all by the spirit he scans,
The courts of YHWH’s house, every room,
Round, storerooms for coin and costume,
And stores of dedicated things,
13 Also for the groups of priestlings
And the Levites, for all the work
Of YHWH’s house service not to shirk,
For all the vessels used within
The house of YHWH in bright and bin.
14 Gold by weight for gold vessels all
Used in service of every call,
Also for vessel silver weight,
For every kind of spoon and plate.
15 The weight for the lampstands of gold,
And their lamps of gold, by weight told
For each lampstand and its lamps, for
The lampstands of silver by score,
For the lampstand and its lamps, by
The use of each lampstand to spy.
16 And by weight gold for tables spread
And where to place of the showbread,
For each table, and silver set
For silver tables where to get
17 Also pure gold for forks and bowls,
Pitchers of pure gold, gold consoles,
By weight for every bowl and slice
Of silver bowl by weight in trice,
18 And purified gold counted out
For incense altar round about,
And for the chariot making too,
Gold cherubim spreading out new
Wings to shade the ark of the pact
Of YHWH telling us how to act.
19 All YHWH made me understand writ,
Hand on me, all planned works and fit.

The sacred ark! I see the angels spread
High wings to shadow it and overhead,
On golden mercy-seat I see the glow
Made rich by Your presence and to bestow
A glory on the place where You would show.
Slight are the tremors that I feel as I
Make my way boldly, fluttering like magpie,
Come to the sacred chest to find my doom
Encased in aweful splendour, though the room
Leaves little to envoke such awe in space.
While smallness is enough for You in place
Among the great ideals, the burning law
In that place hidden still informs my awe
Not lessened by the daily rouse and race.

20 David told his son Solomon,
“Be strong and of good courage spun,
And do it, do not fear nor be
Dismayed, for YHWH Ælohim, see,
My Ælohim shall be with you.
He will not leave or forsake you
Until you’ve finished all that’s due
The service of the house of YHWH.
21 “Troops of priests and Levites for all
The service of the house install
Of Ælohim, and every willing
Craftsman with you for the instilling
Of every kind of task to do,
Also the chiefs and people too
Will be under your rule as crew.”

Though I am not the favoured son and best
Hewed statue to David, I still invest
Out of my humble heart that I may be
Made strong and one courageous in the sea
And river of all human company.
Setting aside all fear I rise and go
Made ready with my love for every show,
Certain that goodness is revealed below
Eternally ensealed upon the glow
Left open from the Decalogue that peers
With wonder from the temple of the years.
Among the many tasks of Solomon
I find the greatest one of courage spun,
No greater than the Decalogue he won.

1 CHRONICLES 29

1 Furthermore King David told all
The congregation still in stall,
“My son Solomon, whom alone
Ælohim’s chosen for the throne,
Is young and untried in the work
That is so great since not for irk
But for YHWH Ælohim’s the house.
2 “Now then for my Ælohim’s house
I’ve planned with all my strength of grouse,
Gold for the gold and silver for
Everything made of silver store,
Bronze for the bronze, iron well set out
For iron, wood for wood things about,
And onyx stones, such as best set,
Shining stones of all colours met,
All kinds of gems and marble slabs
Enough for so many pre-fabs.
3 “Moreover, since I’ve set my love
On my Ælohim’s house above,
I have provided for the place
Of my Ælohim every trace
Of holy treasure, silver, gold,
4 “Three thousand talents to enfold
Of gold, of gold of Ophir, and
Seven thousand talents in hand
Of purified silver to line
The walls of the rooms by design,
5 “The gold for gold and silver for
Silver utensils, also for
All kinds of work done by the hand
Of craftsmen coming there in band.
Who’s willing then to consecrate
Himself today to YHWH’s estate?”

Though Solomon was young, David and You
Have chosen him to rule over Your crew.
Our eyes and hearts in this place might have sent
Much older candidate in royal tent.
Another man might set upon his heart
Something greater than Your house and its part
Made sacred to the king. But David’s eye
Comes to rest on the youngest and the dye.
Enough that I look back with some regret,
Letting my thoughts remain on first sons set,
With inner temples rather than those met
Along the lower cliffs where armies may
In time arrive to slaughter in their way,
Nothing let stay in stone, not white or grey.

6 Then the chiefs of the fathers, chiefs
Of Israel’s tribes to their reliefs,
The captains of thousands as well
As captains of hundreds in spell,
The overseers of the royal
Tasks all came willingly and loyal.
7 They gave for the work of the room
Of Ælohim five thousand boom
Talents and ten thousand drams of
Gold, ten thousand talents above
Of silver, eighteen thousand of
Bronze, and one hundred thousand more
Talents of iron. 8 Who had in store
Gems gave them to the treasury
Of YHWH’s house, in the hand in fee
Of Jehiel the Gershonite,
Who kept them safe and out of sight.
9 The people then rejoiced, for they
Had given things in willing way,
With loyal heart they opened hand
To YHWH, and King David would stand
To rejoice greatly on that day.
10 Therefore David blessed YHWH before
All the assembly at the door,
And David said “Blessed are You, YHWH
God of Israel, our Father too,
Forever and ever. 11 O YHWH,
To you the greatness, and the power
And glory, and the victory’s hour
And majesty, for all in sky
And in earth, Yours the kingdom high,
O YHWH, and You are raised as chief
Over all and all in belief.
12 “Both wealth and honour come from You,
And You reign over all as true.
In Your hand is both power and might,
In Your hand is to bring in sight
And give authority to all.
13 “Now therefore, our Ælohim, call
We on You with thanks and with praise
In glory to Your name for days.
14 “But who am I, and who’s my folk,
That we should offer at a stroke
As this? For all things come from You,
And of Your own we’ve given You.
15 “We’re strangers and pilgrims to You,
As were our fathers, our days few
On earth are like a shadow too,
And without hope. 16 “And so, O YHWH
Our Ælohim, this pile of things
That we’ve gathered in preparings
To build You a house for Your name
Of holiness is of Your fame
And from Your hand, all it’s Your claim.
17 “I also know, my Ælohim,
That You test the heart and You beam
On righteousness. Now as for me,
In my heart’s righteousness freely
I offered all these things, and now
With joy I’ve seen Your people bow,
Who’re gathered here and willingly
Offer to You their homage free.
18 “O YHWH Abraham’s Ælohim,
Isaac’s, and Israel’s, and on beam
Our fathers’, keep this always in
Your people’s heart, intentions win,
And set their heart toward Your decree.
19 “Give my son Solomon a heart
Of faithfulness to do his part
To keep Your commandments and Your
Testimonies and statutes’ store,
To do all these things, and yet build
The temple for which I have filled
With provision to set and gild.”

Though the world now is richer than before,
How many strong men have enlarged their store
Of gold and oil and information’s match,
My own hand remains empty at the latch.
Along the weary way Medina turns,
Sand in the heart and eye and sun that burns,
My emptiness remains, and I am still
Content to be a stranger on the hill,
Eloped as pilgrim on the Meccan shore.
Long I had dreamed that I should never find
With foot the sacred mountain left behind,
And then at last my pilgrim’s way fulfils
In coming to the Kaaba and its hills.
Now I’m ever a pilgrim to remind.

20 David told all the congregation,
“Now bless YHWH your God as one nation.”
All the assembly then blessed YHWH
Ælohim of their fathers true,
And bowed their heads, bowed down there too
Before YHWH and the king in crew.
21 And they made sacrifice to YHWH
And offered burnt offerings to YHWH
On the next day: a thousand bull,
A thousand rams, a thousand lambs,
With their drink offerings plentiful,
Abundant sacrifice for all
Of Israel’s people on the ball.
22 So they ate and drank before YHWH
With great gladness in that day’s pew.
And they made Solomon the son
Of David king the second run,
And anointed him before YHWH
To be chief, Zadok as priest too.

The thing is not far from my heart and my
Hand and my feet know all the passing by.
Out of the blazing Meccan hills and sky
My face has fallen to the marbled floor
And found You there the God that I adore.
Sound of the supplication sent abroad
Made by the throats of thousands to the Lord
Came on my ears too. I have sacrificed
Enough with thousands on the stones surpliced.
Like David’s people on that far-off day
With joy of meat and drink I saw the gay
Among the many tents gathered and set
In solemn and bright waiting where folk met,
No shadow of grief on anointed stay.

23 Then Solomon sat on the throne
Of YHWH as king instead of lone
David his father, and did well
And all Israel obeyed his spell.
24 All the leaders and mighty men,
And all King David’s sons again
Submitted themselves to the king,
King Solomon in everything.
25 So YHWH exalted Solomon
Greatly before all Israel’s run,
And granted him such majesty
Of kingship as was not to see
On any king before him in
The land of Israel to begin.
26 So David son of Jesse reigned
Over all Israel uncomplained.
27 And the time that he reigned in years
Over Israel, forty appears,
And seven years in Hebron he
Reigned, and thirty-three years then he
Reigned in Jerusalem’s degree.
28 So he died in a good old age,
Full of days and riches to gauge
His honour, Solomon his son
Reigned in his place when he’d begun.
29 Now the acts of King David, first
And last, the best as well as worst
Truly they’re written in the book
Of Samuel the seer, in
Nathan the prophet’s book and bin,
And in the book of Gad the seer,
30 Where all his reign and might appear,
And the events that fell on him,
To Israel, and to all the grim
Kingdoms of the lands around him.

The forty years that I have whirled to scan
How many blessings from You fall or can
On earth, have been both few and many here.
My hopes had been that my life in its cheer
Answer to greater challenges of fame.
Slow and small I have entered in the game.
My shadow seems to fail, yet so the heart
Contrived in David too to think the part
Encompassed by his reign a futile dart.
Long and short in life falls before the goal
With sigh and satisfaction on the dole.
A little while, a hope, a song, a stroll,
I turn and find all passed, before me lies
Nothing but the eternal, loving skies.

AUTHOR: THOMAS G. MCELWAIN

Copyright © 2007 Adams & McElwain Publishers and Thomas McElwain First Published in two volumes, The Beloved and I 2005, and Led of the Beloved, 2006. Second Edition, 2010 Third and revised edition, 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this verse commentary on the sacred Scriptures may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from publisher.

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