So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never pursue their welfare or prosperity, so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons for ever.’
He removed the people who were in the city and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to labour at brickmaking. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
He also defeated the Moabites, and after making them lie down on the ground, he measured them off with a cord. He measured every two cord lengths of those to be put to death and one full length of those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.
Therefore, may my advice seem good to you, my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.’
Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, ‘I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times.
But because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors, he brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
My people, remember what King Balak of Moab proposed, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from the Acacia Grove , to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the Lord’s righteous acts.