Ezra 8:19-24

19Hashabiah and Jeshaiah also came. They belonged to the clan of Levi's son, Merari. 20 men from their family came with them.

20220 temple servants also came. King David had first chosen this group to help the Levites with their work. We made a list of all their names.

21We were all waiting by the Ahava river. I told the people not to eat any food, so that we could pray to God for help. We asked him to keep us safe on the journey, with our children and all our things.

22I was ashamed to ask the king to send his soldiers with us to keep us safe. He could have sent soldiers who rode on horses with us, or other soldiers. But we had said to the king, ‘Our God helps people who trust him and he keeps them safe. But he is very angry with people who turn away from him and he punishes them.’

23So we ate no food and we prayed to our God about this. He answered our prayers.

24I chose 12 of the most important priests to do an important job, as well as Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brothers.