I Chronicles 15 Commentary
And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.
And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:
Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.
And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed–edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed–edom with joy.
And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
I Chronicles 15 marks a pivotal moment in David's reign: the successful relocation of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This chapter highlights the importance of obedience to God's Word and the consequences of prioritizing personal perspectives over divine instruction. It also offers a glimpse into the challenges that can arise when differing spiritual viewpoints clash within a marriage.
The Right Way to Approach God (I Chronicles 15:1-26)
After the initial failed attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (I Chronicles 13), David recognizes the crucial error: they had not followed God's prescribed method. I Chronicles 15:1-26 details the renewed effort, emphasizing meticulous adherence to God's instructions. Previously, they transported the Ark on a cart, violating God's command that only the Levites should carry it using the poles (Numbers 4:15, Deuteronomy 10:8). This time, David ensures that "no one but the Levites" carried the ark (I Chronicles 15:2), fulfilling the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD (I Chronicles 15:15).
This passage underscores a vital principle: the Bible is not merely a collection of stories or wise sayings. It is the authoritative voice of God. Mixing human viewpoints with divine instruction can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in I Chronicles 13:9-10. David learned this lesson and acted upon it. He took God's word seriously, and so should we.
David made sure the priests and Levites consecrated themselves for their holy assignment in the way prescribed (I Chronicles 15:14), and he offered sacrifices along the way (I Chronicles 15:26). His commitment to following God's specific instructions demonstrates the importance of approaching God on His terms, not our own. This requires a humble and obedient heart, willing to set aside personal preferences and embrace God's revealed will.
A Marriage Divided (I Chronicles 15:27-29)
The chapter concludes with a poignant scene that reveals a stark contrast in spiritual perspectives. As the Ark of the Covenant entered Jerusalem, David, filled with joy and reverence, leaped and danced before the Lord (I Chronicles 15:29). However, his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, did not share his enthusiasm. Instead, she "despised him in her heart" (I Chronicles 15:29).
Michal's reaction highlights a critical lesson about marriage and spiritual compatibility. Her earthly perspective prevented her from understanding and celebrating David's devotion to God. This passage provides insight into why Christians ought not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). When one partner refuses to submit to God's kingdom rule, the marriage can become a battleground of conflicting agendas.
This doesn't necessarily imply that only one partner is "right" and the other "wrong." It speaks to the fundamental alignment of values and priorities. A believer's marriage to someone who refuses to place himself or herself under God's kingdom rule will result in having two radically different agendas trying to operate under the same roof. Michal, raised in a household that often disregarded God's commands, struggled to comprehend David's passionate worship. This difference created a chasm between them, preventing them from sharing in the joy of the moment. Be careful whom you marry before you marry.
I Chronicles 15 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word and seeking partners who share our commitment to His kingdom. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are approaching God on His terms, with humility, obedience, and a willingness to set aside our own perspectives in favor of His.
And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.
And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:
Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.
And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed–edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed–edom with joy.
And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
I Chronicles 15 marks a pivotal moment in David's reign: the successful relocation of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This chapter highlights the importance of obedience to God's Word and the consequences of prioritizing personal perspectives over divine instruction. It also offers a glimpse into the challenges that can arise when differing spiritual viewpoints clash within a marriage.
The Right Way to Approach God (I Chronicles 15:1-26)
After the initial failed attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (I Chronicles 13), David recognizes the crucial error: they had not followed God's prescribed method. I Chronicles 15:1-26 details the renewed effort, emphasizing meticulous adherence to God's instructions. Previously, they transported the Ark on a cart, violating God's command that only the Levites should carry it using the poles (Numbers 4:15, Deuteronomy 10:8). This time, David ensures that "no one but the Levites" carried the ark (I Chronicles 15:2), fulfilling the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD (I Chronicles 15:15).
This passage underscores a vital principle: the Bible is not merely a collection of stories or wise sayings. It is the authoritative voice of God. Mixing human viewpoints with divine instruction can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in I Chronicles 13:9-10. David learned this lesson and acted upon it. He took God's word seriously, and so should we.
David made sure the priests and Levites consecrated themselves for their holy assignment in the way prescribed (I Chronicles 15:14), and he offered sacrifices along the way (I Chronicles 15:26). His commitment to following God's specific instructions demonstrates the importance of approaching God on His terms, not our own. This requires a humble and obedient heart, willing to set aside personal preferences and embrace God's revealed will.
A Marriage Divided (I Chronicles 15:27-29)
The chapter concludes with a poignant scene that reveals a stark contrast in spiritual perspectives. As the Ark of the Covenant entered Jerusalem, David, filled with joy and reverence, leaped and danced before the Lord (I Chronicles 15:29). However, his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, did not share his enthusiasm. Instead, she "despised him in her heart" (I Chronicles 15:29).
Michal's reaction highlights a critical lesson about marriage and spiritual compatibility. Her earthly perspective prevented her from understanding and celebrating David's devotion to God. This passage provides insight into why Christians ought not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). When one partner refuses to submit to God's kingdom rule, the marriage can become a battleground of conflicting agendas.
This doesn't necessarily imply that only one partner is "right" and the other "wrong." It speaks to the fundamental alignment of values and priorities. A believer's marriage to someone who refuses to place himself or herself under God's kingdom rule will result in having two radically different agendas trying to operate under the same roof. Michal, raised in a household that often disregarded God's commands, struggled to comprehend David's passionate worship. This difference created a chasm between them, preventing them from sharing in the joy of the moment. Be careful whom you marry before you marry.
I Chronicles 15 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word and seeking partners who share our commitment to His kingdom. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are approaching God on His terms, with humility, obedience, and a willingness to set aside our own perspectives in favor of His.