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17 David wants to build temple. God speaks through Nathan that He has never required one, and that David’s son will build temple. David gives humble thanks to God for blessing his house. 18 David defeats and plunders Philistines, Moabites, Zobah, Syrians and Edomites. David receives gifts from a nervous king of Hamath. Key figures in David’s government are listed. 19 Nahash king of Ammon dies. David sends peaceful messengers who are shamed by the new king Hanun by having shaving them and cutting their garments. Under Joab and with the help of the Lord, Israel wins battle against Ammon and their Syrian allies. 20 Joab of Israel besieges Rabbah, and conquers Ammon. The Ammonites are enslaved. David and his men kill three Philistine giants: Sippai, Lahmi and a twelve-fingered and twelve-toed man. 21 David conducts a census of Israel. Joab is nervous, but compelled to obey. Joab contrives to spare the Levites and the Banjamites from the census. God is displeased, and via the prophet Gad offers David three options: three years of famine, three months of defeat in war, or three days of the angel of the Lord destroying with plague. David chooses plague, and 70,000 Israelites die. The plague stops of the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, where David sets up an altar. For pious reasons, David insists on buying the threshing floor rather than being granted it for free.
