Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 15 » Verse 2-14

1 Chronicles 15:2-14 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

2 Then David H1732 said, H559 None ought to carry H5375 the ark H727 of God H430 but the Levites: H3881 for them hath the LORD H3068 chosen H977 to carry H5375 the ark H727 of God, H430 and to minister H8334 unto him for H5704 ever. H5769

3 And David H1732 gathered H6950 all Israel H3478 together H6950 to Jerusalem, H3389 to bring up H5927 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 unto his place, H4725 which he had prepared H3559 for it.

4 And David H1732 assembled H622 the children H1121 of Aaron, H175 and the Levites: H3881

5 Of the sons H1121 of Kohath; H6955 Uriel H222 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 an hundred H3967 and twenty: H6242

6 Of the sons H1121 of Merari; H4847 Asaiah H6222 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 two hundred H3967 and twenty: H6242

7 Of the sons H1121 of Gershom; H1647 Joel H3100 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 an hundred H3967 and thirty: H7970

8 Of the sons H1121 of Elizaphan; H469 Shemaiah H8098 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 two hundred: H3967

9 Of the sons H1121 of Hebron; H2275 Eliel H447 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 fourscore: H8084

10 Of the sons H1121 of Uzziel; H5816 Amminadab H5992 the chief, H8269 and his brethren H251 an hundred H3967 and twelve. H8147 H6240

11 And David H1732 called H7121 for Zadok H6659 and Abiathar H54 the priests, H3548 and for the Levites, H3881 for Uriel, H222 Asaiah, H6222 and Joel, H3100 Shemaiah, H8098 and Eliel, H447 and Amminadab, H5992

12 And said H559 unto them, Ye are the chief H7218 of the fathers H1 of the Levites: H3881 sanctify H6942 yourselves, both ye and your brethren, H251 that ye may bring up H5927 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 unto the place that I have prepared H3559 for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first, H7223 the LORD H3068 our God H430 made a breach H6555 upon us, for that we sought H1875 him not after the due order. H4941

14 So the priests H3548 and the Levites H3881 sanctified H6942 themselves to bring up H5927 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel. H3478

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 15

1Ch 15:1-24. David Brings the Ark from Obededom.

1. David made him houses in the city of David—Through the liberality of his Tyrian ally (1Ch 14:1), David was enabled to erect not only a palace for himself, but to furnish suitable accommodation for his numerous family. Where polygamy prevails, each wife has a separate house or suite of apartments for herself and children.

prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent—that is, made an entirely new one upon the model of the former. The old tabernacle, which Moses had constructed in the wilderness and which had hitherto served the purpose of a sacred covering, was to be left at Gibeon, either because of the unwillingness of the inhabitants to part with such a venerable relic, or because there was no use for it in Jerusalem, where a more solid and sumptuous edifice was contemplated. If it appear surprising that David "made him houses" before he prepared this new tabernacle, it should be remembered that he had received no divine intimation respecting such a work.

2. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites—After the lapse of three months (1Ch 13:14) the purpose of transporting the ark to Jerusalem was resumed. Time and reflection had led to a discovery of the cause of the painful catastrophe that marred the first attempt. In preparing for the solemn procession that was now to usher the sacred symbol into its resting-place, David took special care that the carriage should be regulated in strict conformity to the law (Nu 4:5, 15; 7:9; 10:17).

3. David gathered all Israel together—Some are of opinion that this was done on one of the three great festivals, but at whatever time the ceremonial took place, it was of great importance to summon a general convocation of the people, many of whom, from the long-continued disorders of the kingdom, might have had little or no opportunity of knowing anything of the ark, which had been allowed to remain so long in obscurity and neglect.

4. David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites—The children of Aaron were the two priests (1Ch 15:11), Zadok and Abiathar, heads of the two priestly houses of Eleazar and Ithamar, and colleagues in the high priesthood (2Sa 20:25). The Levites were the chiefs of their father's house (1Ch 15:12); four belonging to the Kohathite branch, on whose shoulders the ark was to be borne; namely, Uriel, Shemaiah—descended from Elizaphan or Elzaphan—(Ex 6:22), Hebron (Ex 6:18; 1Ch 6:2), and Amminadab from Uzziel (Ex 6:22).

12. sanctify yourselves—This special sanctification, which was required on all grave and important occasions, consisted in observing the strictest abstinence, as well as cleanliness, both in person and dress (see on Ge 35:2; Ex 19:10, 15); and in the neglect of these rules no step could have been taken (2Ch 30:3).

16-24. David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint … the singers with instruments—These eminent Levites were instructed to train the musicians and singers who were under them, for the solemn procession. The performers were ranged in three choirs or bands, and the names of the principal leaders are given (1Ch 15:17, 18, 21), with the instruments respectively used by each. "Ben" (1Ch 15:18) is omitted (1Ch 15:20). Either it was used merely as a common noun, to intimate that Zechariah was the son of Jaaziel or Aziel, or Ben is the same as Azaziah [1Ch 15:21].

22. Chenaniah, chief of the Levites—He was not of the six heads of the Levitical families, but a chief in consequence of his office, which required learning, without regard to birth or family.

instructed about the song—He directed all these bands as to the proper time when each was to strike in or change their notes; or, as some render the passage, "He led the burdens, for he was skilled," that is, in the custom which it was necessary to observe in the carriage of the holy things [Bertheau].

23. Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers—who marched immediately in front, while Obed-edom and Jeiel went in the rear, of the ark.

25. So David, and the elders … and captains … went—The pious design of David in ordering all his principal ministers and officers to take part in this solemn work and imparting so much pomp and imposing ceremony to the procession, was evidently to inspire the popular mind with a profound veneration for the ark and to give the young especially salutary impressions of religion, which would be renewed by the remembrance that they had been witnesses of the august solemnity in which the king and the highest aristocracy of the land participated, vying with all other classes to do honor to the God of Israel.

26. it came to pass, &c.—(See on 2Sa 6:13-23).

they offered seven bullocks and seven rams—The Levites seem to have entered on this duty with fear and trembling; and finding that they might advance without any such indications of divine wrath as Uzza had experienced (1Ch 13:10), they offered an ox and a fatted sheep immediately after starting (2Sa 6:13), and seven bullocks and seven rams—a perfect sacrifice, at the close of the procession (1Ch 16:1). It is probable that preparations had been made for the offering of similar sacrifices at regular intervals along the way.

27. a robe of fine linen—Hebrew, Butz—is rather supposed in the later books to denote cotton.

an ephod—a shoulder-garment, a cincture or cape over his dress. It was worn by the priests, but was not so peculiar to them as to be forbidden others (1Sa 2:18; 22:18).

29. Michal … saw … David dancing and playing—His movements would be slow and solemn, suitable to the grave and solemn character of the music. Though his royal robes were laid aside, he was attired like the other officials, showing a becoming humility in the immediate presence of God. The feelings manifested by Michal were only an ebullition of spleen from a proud and passionate woman.