Then he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The LORD answered his prayer, and the epidemic in Israel was stopped.

Because Joab disapproved of the king's command, he did not take any census of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin.

"Then the officers will address the men and say, 'Is there any man here who has just built a house, but has not yet dedicated it? If so, he is to go home. Otherwise, if he is killed in battle, someone else will dedicate his house.

King Hiram of Tyre sent a trade mission to David; he provided him with cedar logs and with carpenters and stone masons to build a palace.

Afterward, when David went home to greet his family, Michal came out to meet him. "The king of Israel made a big name for himself today!" she said. "He exposed himself like a fool in the sight of the servant women of his officials!"

Then the king said to the prophet Nathan, "Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but God's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!"

When David arrived at his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace, and put them under guard. He provided for their needs, but did not have intercourse with them. They were kept confined for the rest of their lives, living like widows.

Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness; let us praise his name together!

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears.

I cried to him for help; I praised him with songs.

I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king; I will thank you forever and ever.

"And now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honor, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just, and he can humble anyone who acts proudly."

So I will triumph over my enemies around me. With shouts of joy I will offer sacrifices in his Temple; I will sing, I will praise the LORD.

Save your people, LORD, and bless those who are yours. Be their shepherd, and take care of them forever.

Don't let my enemies say, "We have defeated him." Don't let them gloat over my downfall.

in you, my God, I trust. Save me from the shame of defeat; don't let my enemies gloat over me!

Don't let my enemies, those liars, gloat over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me for no reason smirk with delight over my sorrow.

You are righteous, O LORD, so declare me innocent; don't let my enemies gloat over me.

Don't let them say to themselves, "We are rid of him! That's just what we wanted!"

They will not triumph over me, and I will know that you are pleased with me.

The surrounding nations insult us; they laugh at us and mock us.

Why should the nations ask us, "Where is your God?" Let us see you punish the nations for shedding the blood of your servants.

All who pass by steal his belongings; all his neighbors laugh at him.

You have made his weapons useless and let him be defeated in battle.

You have made him old before his time and covered him with disgrace.

LORD, don't give the wicked what they want; don't let their plots succeed.

People passing by the city look at you in scorn. They shake their heads and laugh at Jerusalem's ruins: "Is this that lovely city? Is this the pride of the world?"