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The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 15:1-29



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The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

Text:

1 Chronicles 15:1-29,

1. David constructed buildings in the City of David; he then

prepared a place for the Ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

2. Then David said, “Only the Levites may carry the Ark of God, for

the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before

him perpetually.”

3. David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the

Lord up to the place he had prepared for it.

4. David gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the

Levites:

5. From the descendants of Kohath: Uriel the leader and 120 of his

relatives.

6. From the descendants of Merari: Asaiah the leader and 220 of his

relatives.

7. From the descendants of Gershom: Joel the leader and 130 of his

relatives.

8. From the descendants of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the leader and 200

of his relatives.

9. From the descendants of Hebron: Eliel the leader and 80 of his

relatives.

10. From the descendants of Uzziel: Amminadab the leader and 112

of his relatives.

11. David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, along with the

Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

12. He told them: “You are the leaders of the Levites’ families. You

and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of

the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it.

13. The first time you did not carry it; that is why the Lord God

attacked us, because we did not ask him about the proper way to

carry it.”



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14. The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could

bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

15. The descendants of Levi carried the Ark of God on their

shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according to the

divine command.

16. David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint some of their

relatives as musicians; they were to play various instruments,

including stringed instruments and cymbals, and to sing loudly and

joyfully.

17. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; one of his relatives,

Asaph son of Berechiah; one of the descendants of Merari, Ethan

son of Kushaiah;

18. along with some of their relatives who were second in rank,

including Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab,

Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom,

and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.

19. The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the

bronze cymbals;

20. Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah,

and Benaiah were to play the harps according to the alamoth style;

21. Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and

Azaziah were to play the lyres according to the sheminith style, as

led by the director;

22. Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in charge of transport,

for he was well-informed on this matter;

23. Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians of the ark;

24. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah,

and Eliezer the priests were to blow the trumpets before the Ark of

God; Obed-Edom and Jehiel were also guardians of the ark.

25. So David, the leaders of Israel, and the commanders of units of a

thousand went to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the

house of Obed-Edom with celebration.

26. When God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the

Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.



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27. David was wrapped in a linen robe, as were all the Levites

carrying the ark, the musicians, and Kenaniah the supervisor of

transport and the musicians; David also wore a linen ephod.

28. All Israel brought up the ark of the Lord’s covenant; they were

shouting, blowing trumpets, sounding cymbals, and playing stringed

instruments.

29. As the ark of the Lord’s covenant entered the City of David,

Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out the window. When she saw

King David jumping and celebrating, she despised him. (NET)

Introduction:

I. Hicks notes that the second attempt to move the Ark of God came in

two stages: (1) Preparation (1 Chronicles 15:1-24) and (2) Transfer (1

Chronicles 15:25-29).

A. 2 Samuel 12b-16, This just isn’t done in Israel! Don’t do this

foolish thing! How could I ever be rid of my humiliation? And

you would be considered one of the fools in Israel! Just speak

to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” But he

refused to listen to her. He overpowered her and humiliated

her by raping her. Then Amnon greatly despised her. His

disdain toward her surpassed the love he had previously felt

toward her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and leave!” But she

said to him, “No I won’t, for sending me away now would be

worse than what you did to me earlier!” But he refused to

listen to her. (NET)

B. The center of the present narrative is the Ark of God and the

Levitical duties in relation to it. (See Hicks.)

C. Of special concern are “David, Ark, Levites, Jerusalem, divine

blessing and worship.” (Hicks)



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II. 1 Chronicles 15:1-24 divides into four natural sections, Hicks

observed.

A. Preparing a place for the ark.

1. 1 Chronicles 15:1-3, David constructed buildings in the

City of David; he then prepared a place for the Ark of

God and pitched a tent for it. Then David said, “Only the

Levites may carry the Ark of God, for the Lord chose

them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before him

perpetually.” David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to

bring the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared

for it. (NET)

B. Preparing the people to carry the ark.

1. 1 Chronicles 15:4-10, David gathered together the

descendants of Aaron and the Levites: From the

descendants of Kohath: Uriel the leader and 120 of his

relatives. From the descendants of Merari: Asaiah the

leader and 220 of his relatives. From the descendants of

Gershom: Joel the leader and 130 of his relatives. From

the descendants of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the leader and

200 of his relatives. From the descendants of Hebron:

Eliel the leader and 80 of his relatives. From the

descendants of Uzziel: Amminadab the leader and 112 of

his relatives. (NET)

C. Preparing the leaders.

1. 1 Chronicles 15:11-15, David summoned the priests

Zadok and Abiathar, along with the Levites Uriel,

Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. He told

them: “You are the leaders of the Levites’ families. You

and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring



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the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have

prepared for it. The first time you did not carry it; that is

why the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask

him about the proper way to carry it.” The priests and

Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the

ark of the Lord God of Israel. The descendants of Levi

carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just

as Moses had ordered according to the divine command.

(NET)

D. Preparing the musicians.

1. 1 Chronicles 15:16-24, David told the leaders of the

Levites to appoint some of their relatives as musicians;

they were to play various instruments, including stringed

instruments and cymbals, and to sing loudly and joyfully.

So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; one of his

relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; one of the descendants

of Merari, Ethan son of Kushaiah; along with some of

their relatives who were second in rank, including

Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab,

Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah,

Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. The musicians

Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze

cymbals; Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni,

Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps

according to the alamoth style; Mattithiah, Eliphelehu,

Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to play

the lyres according to the sheminith style, as led by the

director; Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in

charge of transport, for he was well-informed on this

matter; Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians of the

ark; Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah,

Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were to blow the



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trumpets before the Ark of God; Obed-Edom and Jehiel

were also guardians of the ark. (NET)

III. The bringing of the Ark of God to Jerusalem and centering the

worship of all Israel was of prime importance to David.

Commentary:

Preparations for Moving the Ark of God

1 Chronicles 15:1, David constructed buildings in the City of David;

he then prepared a place for the Ark of God and pitched a tent for

it. (NET)

I. First, David prepared/constructed buildings for himself in Jerusalem,

the city of David.

A. David’s buildings needed to be constructed.

1. The question is, “Should David’s buildings have been

constructed before provisions were made for the Ark of

God?”

II. Then David prepared a place for the Ark of God and pitched a tent for

it.

A. David’s long term unwavering purpose was to bring the Ark of

God to Jerusalem and enshrine it in honor.

1. David’s plans also envisioned Israel’s being united in

scriptural worship of the Lord Jehovah.

B. David’s work in regard to the Ark of God had to be done right

and this took extra time not required for constructing a palace or

other government buildings.



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C. Clarke wrote that David built “one (house) for himself and one

for the ark; in the latter (house) was a tent, under which the ark

was placed.”

1 Chronicles 15:2, Then David said, “Only the Levites may carry the

Ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord

and to serve before him perpetually.” (NET)

I. The Levites were the (only) ones specified by the Law of Moses to

carry the Ark of God and minister before Him in perpetuity.

A. Time for training of the Levites would be required.

1. This generation of Levites had to be thoroughly trained in

these duties as they had had no previous personal experience

with the Ark of God.

B. David had laid to heart his mistakes in regard to his previous

attempt to move the ark to Jerusalem.

1. He would not repeat those mistakes.

1 Chronicles 15:3, David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring

the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared for it. (NET)

I. When the time came to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem,

David gathered a great convocation.

A. A mighty holy procession would bring the ark to Jerusalem.

(Hicks)

II. Hicks well observed that God here granted David and Israel a second

chance to bring the ark to Jerusalem.



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A. Our God is the LORD of grace and second chances!

1 Chronicles 15:4, David gathered together the descendants of

Aaron and the Levites: (NET)

I. Descendants of Levi and Aaron, Levi’s descendants from whom the

Priests descended in particular, were assembled in view of this

momentous occasion on which the ark would be moved to Jerusalem.

A. Sometimes, Hicks wrote, the term Levites includes the priests

and at other times the term does not include the priests.

1 Chronicles 15:5, From the descendants of Kohath: Uriel the leader

and 120 of his relatives. (NET)

Note: 1 Chronciles 15:5-10 presents six Levitical groups of descents.

Levi’s three sons (Merari, Kohath, Gershon), Kohath’s two sons

(Hebron and Uzziel) and Uzziel’s son (Elizaphan) are represented in

their descendants in the ark’s move to Jerusalem from the care of the

house of Obed-Edom. Exodus 6:18-22, The sons of Kohath were

Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (The length of Kohath’s life was

133 years.) The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were

the clans of Levi, according to their records. Amram married his

father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. (The

length of Amram’s life was 137 years.) The sons of Izhar were

Korah, Nepheg, and Zikri. The sons of Uzziel were Mishael,

Elzaphan, and Sithri. (NET)

I. From the descendants of Kohath, Uriel being the leader, 120 Levitical

relatives were chosen.

1 Chronicles 15:6, From the descendants of Merari: Asaiah the

leader and 220 of his relatives. (NET)



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I. From the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader, 220 Levitical

relatives were selected.

1 Chronicles 15:7, From the descendants of Gershom: Joel the

leader and 130 of his relatives. (NET)

I. From the descendants of Gershon, Joel being the leader, 130 Levitical

relatives were chosen.

1 Chronicles 15:8, From the descendants of Elizaphan: Shemaiah

the leader and 200 of his relatives. (NET)

I. From the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah being the leader, 200

Levitical relatives were selected.

1 Chronicles 15:9, From the descendants of Hebron: Eliel the leader

and 80 of his relatives. (NET)

I. From the descendants of Hebron, Eliel being the leader, 80 Levitical

relatives were selected.

1 Chronicles 15:10, From the descendants of Uzziel: Amminadab

the leader and 112 of his relatives. (NET)

I. From the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab being the leader, 112

Levitical relatives were chosen.

Note: A total of 862 Levitical relatives are included in the enumeration

in verses 5-10.

Note: Of each of the leaders named in verses 5-10, Youngblood simply

says that each person was a Levite (or priest) who helped bring the Ark

of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem.



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1 Chronicles 15:11, David summoned the priests Zadok and

Abiathar, along with the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel,

and Amminadab. (NET)

I. David summoned the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, along with the

leaders mentioned in verses 5-10.

1 Chronicles 15:12, He told them: “You are the leaders of the

Levites’ families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves

and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have

prepared for it. (NET)

I. David charged the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves for the

sacred duty of bring the ark from the family of Obed-Edom to

Jerusalem.

A. Exodus 19:22, Let the priests also, who approach the Lord,

sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break through against

them.” (NET)

B. Exodus 28:41, “You are to clothe them—your brother

Aaron and his sons with him—and anoint them and ordain

them and set them apart as holy, so that they may minister as

my priests. (NET)

C. Exodus 40:13, Then you are to clothe Aaron with the holy

garments and anoint him and sanctify him so that he may

minister as my priest. (NET)

D. Leviticus 8:12, He then poured some of the anointing oil on

the head of Aaron and anointed him to consecrate him. (NET)

E. Leviticus 20:7, “‘You must sanctify yourselves and be holy,

because I am the Lord your God. (NET)



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F. Leviticus 21:8, You must sanctify him because he presents

the food of your God. He must be holy to you because I, the

Lord who sanctifies you all, am holy. (NET)

G. 2 Chronicles 5:11, The priests left the holy place. All the

priests who participated had consecrated themselves, no

matter which division they represented. (NET)

1 Chronicles 15:13, The first time you did not carry it; that is why

the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask him about the

proper way to carry it.” (NET)

I. David attributed their failure to succeed in bringing the ark to

Jerusalem on their previous attempt to their not having moved the ark in

the divinely prescribed manner and by the authorized Levitical

personnel.

A. Exodus 25:10-15, “They are to make an ark of acacia

wood—its length is to be three feet nine inches, its width two

feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches. You are

to overlay it with pure gold—both inside and outside you must

overlay it, and you are to make a surrounding border of gold

over it. You are to cast four gold rings for it and put them on

its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the

other side. You are to make poles of acacia wood, overlay them

with gold, and put the poles into the rings at the sides of the

ark in order to carry the ark with them. The poles must

remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from

it. (NET)

B. Exodus 37:1-5, Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its

length was three feet nine inches, its width two feet three

inches, and its height two feet three inches. He overlaid it with

pure gold, inside and out, and he made a surrounding border

of gold for it. He cast four gold rings for it that he put on its



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four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other

side. He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold,

and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order

to carry the ark. (NET)

C. Numbers 4:10-12, Then they must put it with all its utensils

in a covering of fine leather, and put it on a carrying beam.

“They must spread a blue cloth on the gold altar, and cover it

with a covering of fine leather; and they must insert its poles.

Then they must take all the utensils of the service, with which

they serve in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover

them with a covering of fine leather, and put them on a

carrying beam. (NET)

D. Numbers 7:9, But to the Kohathites he gave none, because

the service of the holy things, which they carried on their

shoulders, was their responsibility. (NET)

II. David identified his mistake: “We did not inquire of him (God) about

how to do it in the prescribed way.”

A. It is always a grave error to fail to learn and do God’s will on

anything.

III. Consecration and dedication were serious and solemn matters and

had to be done according to the commands of the LORD.

A. Exodus 19:14, 15, Then Moses went down from the

mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they

washed their clothes. He said to the people, “Be ready for the

third day. Do not go near your wives.” (NET)

1 Chronicles 15:14, The priests and Levites consecrated themselves

so they could bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. (NET)



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I. Hicks observed that the mood had changed, that holiness now was

paramount.

1 Chronicles 15:15, The descendants of Levi carried the Ark of God

on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according

to the divine command. (NET)

I. This time the Levites carried the Ark of God with poles (staves) on

their shoulders as God through Moses had prescribed, and all went well!

A. The staves went through the rings of the ark and rested on the

Levite’s shoulders.

B. In this way the ark could be carried without being touched.

C. Scriptures:

1. Exodus 25:13-15, You are to make poles of acacia

wood, overlay them with gold, and put the poles into the

rings at the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with

them. The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they

must not be removed from it. (NET)

2. Numbers 4:15, “When Aaron and his sons have

finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of

the sanctuary, when the camp is ready to journey, then

the Kohathites will come to carry them; but they must not

touch any holy thing, or they will die. These are the

responsibilities of the Kohathites with the tent of meeting.

(NET)

3. Numbers 7:9, But to the Kohathites he gave none,

because the service of the holy things, which they carried

on their shoulders, was their responsibility. (NET)



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1 Chronicles 15:16, David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint

some of their relatives as musicians; they were to play various

instruments, including stringed instruments and cymbals, and to

sing loudly and joyfully. (NET)

I. David directed that singers and musicians be appointed and this was

done.

A. Musical instruments to be used included, but were not limited

to:

1. lyres – stringed instruments with a quadrilateral shape with

a framework consisting of a sound box and two uprights

topped by a yoke or crosspiece. Strings passed over a bridge.

(Bromiley)

2. harps – stringed instruments consisting of a sound box

from one end of which a neck protruded. A set of strings of

unequal lengths stretched from the top of the resonator to the

neck. (Bromiley)

3. cymbals – percussion instruments were shallow, round

hand drums often 4-6 inches in diameter and made of bronze.

(Bromiley)

B. In this procession joyful songs were to be sung.

1 Chronicles 15:17-24, So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel;

one of his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; one of the descendants

of Merari, Ethan son of Kushaiah; along with some of their relatives

who were second in rank, including Zechariah, Jaaziel,

Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah,

Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. The

musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze

cymbals; Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab,



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Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to the

alamoth style; Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel,

and Azaziah were to play the lyres according to the sheminith style,

as led by the director; Kenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was in

charge of transport, for he was well-informed on this matter;

Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians of the ark; Shebaniah,

Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the

priests were to blow the trumpets before the Ark of God; Obed-

Edom and Jehiel were also guardians of the ark. (NET)

I. John Mark Hicks commented on verses 17-24 as follows:

A. “The Levites executed David’s instructions. They appointed

three leaders (Heman, Asaph and Ethan), eleven other Levites, and

two gatekeepers (Obed-Edom and Jeiel) to conduct the music of

the holy procession. The three leaders are assigned cymbals, and

the other eleven are divided into those who play lyres (eight) and

those who play harps (six, adding Azaiah who is not in the

previous list). These are the three instruments listed in 1

Chronicles 15:16 (cf. the addition of priestly trumpets and horns in

1 Chronicles 15:28).”

II. John Mark Hicks continues as his writings appear in the excellent

commentary series, The College Press NIV Commentary, 1 and 2

Chronicles, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri, 2001,

as follows:

A. “In addition, Kennaiah was given responsibility for vocal

music. Interestingly, Chronicles notes the giftedness (skill) of

Kenaniah as the reason for his appointment (lit., “He understood

it.”)” Clarke adds that Chenaniah appears to be the master singer

and musical (Kenaniah) instructor.

III. John Mark Hicks concludes:



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A. “Sandwiched between the assignment of the four doorkeepers

(Benekiah and Elkanah) and the harp musicians (Obed-Edom and

Jehiah (probably a variant of Jeiel in 1 Chronicles 15:18) in 1

Chronicles 15:24b (apparently the latter served a dual role) is the

appointment of seven priests to blow the trumpets before the ark.

Trumpeting is a priestly function.”

1. Numbers 10:2, 7-10, “Make two trumpets of silver; you

are to make them from a single hammered piece. You will

use them for assembling the community and for directing

the traveling of the camps. But when you assemble the

community, you must blow, but you must not sound an

alarm. The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the

trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance

throughout your generations. If you go to war in your

land against an adversary who opposes you, then you

must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be

remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be

saved from your enemies. “Also in the time when you

rejoice, such as on your appointed festivals or at the

beginnings of your months, you must blow with your

trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the

sacrifices of your peace offerings, so that they may

become a memorial for you before your God: I am the

Lord your God.” (NET)

2. Numbers 29:1, “‘On the first day of the seventh month,

you are to hold a holy assembly. You must not do your

ordinary work, for it is a day of blowing trumpets for

you. (NET)

3. Joshua 6:6, So Joshua son of Nun summoned the

priests and instructed them, “Pick up the Ark of the

Covenant, and seven priests must carry seven rams’

horns in front of the ark of the Lord.” (NET)



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B. Clarke noted that Heman, Asaph and Ethan were the three chief

musicians in the time of David.

1. 1 Chronicles 6:31, These are the men David put in

charge of music in the Lord’s sanctuary, after the ark was

placed there. (NET)

IV. The directions to play the lyres (psalteries) according to alamoth and

to play the harps according to sheminith are not fully understood.

A. Clarke suggested that alamoth may signify virgins or women

singers, musicians having been appointed to accompany them on

lyres/psalteries.

B. Clarke quotes the Vulgate to indicate they sang secret things or

mysteries; probably prophetic hymns.

C. The sheminith may refer, according to Targum, to an instrument

that sounded an octve, or, according to others, an instrument with

eight strings. The Syriac and Arabic indicate sheminith refers to

instruments to sing to on a daily basis. The Vulgate indicates the

references is to a song of victory. (See Clarke.)

D. Clarke further wrote, “ . . . some think it refers to the eighty

band of musicians who had the strongest and most sonorous

voices; and that it is in this sense that shelomith and lenatstseach

should be understood.”

E. The Pulpit Commentary suggests that Alamoth may refer to

higher pitched instruments while sheminith may refer to lower

pitched instruments, literally of the eighty or octave.

1 Chronicles 15:25, So David, the leaders of Israel, and the

commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the



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Lord’s covenant from the house of Obed-Edom with celebration.

(NET)

I. This was indeed a wondrous celebratory procession including the

King, military commanders, the high priests, the Levites and the Ark of

God!

II. They brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom where it

had been for three months to Jerusalem.

III. They brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem with REJOICING!

A. This is a national event! (Hicks)

B. “The bringing of the ark into Jerusalem brought about a

permanent centralization of the religion of Israel within

Jerusalem.” (Via Coffman).

1 Chronicles 15:26, When God helped the Levites who were

carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls

and seven rams. (NET)

I. God had helped the Levites who were carrying the Ark of the

Covenant of the LORD.

A. 2 Samuel 6:12-18, David was told, “The Lord has blessed

the family of Obed-Edom and everything he owns because of

the Ark of God.” So David went and joyfully brought the Ark

of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David.

Those who carried the ark of the Lord took six steps and then

David sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf. 14 Now David,

wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before

the Lord. David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the

Lord, shouting and blowing trumpets. As the ark of the Lord

entered the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out



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the window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing

before the Lord, she despised him. They brought the ark of the

Lord and put it in its place in the middle of the tent that David

had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt sacrifices and

peace offerings before the Lord. When David finished offering

the burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a

blessing over the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

(NET)

1 Chronicles 15:26, When God helped the Levites who were

carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls

and seven rams. (NET)

I. God had helped the Levites who were carrying the Ark of the

Covenant of the Lord.

A. 2 Samuel 6:12-18, David was told, “The Lord has blessed

the family of Obed-Edom and everything he owns because of

the Ark of God.” So David went and joyfully brought the Ark

of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David.

Those who carried the ark of the Lord took six steps and then

David sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf. Now David, wearing a

linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the Lord.

David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord,

shouting and blowing trumpets. As the ark of the Lord entered

the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the

window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before

the Lord, she despised him. They brought the ark of the Lord

and put it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had

pitched for it. Then David offered burnt sacrifices and peace

offerings before the Lord. When David finished offering the

burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing

over the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. (NET)



21

B. 1 Samuel 6:14-15, Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was

dancing with all his strength before the Lord. David and all

Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord, shouting and

blowing trumpets. (NET)

C. “The ark is a symbol of the covenant between God and Israel.”

(Hicks)

II. In thanksgiving for this help, sacrifices of seven bulls and seven rams

were made.

A. God had preserved these Levites and had not struck them dead

as he did Uzzah.

B. From this feeling of gratitude, the Levites offered sacrifices to

God.

C. In view of the events connected with the ark from the time it fell

into Philistine hands until now, it is understandable why the

Levites were uneasy.

1 Chronicles 15:27, David was wrapped in a linen robe, as were all

the Levites carrying the ark, the musicians, and Kenaniah the

supervisor of transport and the musicians; David also wore a linen

ephod. (NET)

I. David, all the Levites who were carrying the ark, the singers and

Kenaniah were dressed in a robe of fine linen.

A. “This may mean that David assumed priestly functions since an

ephod (a cape) was a priestly indicator.” (Hicks)

1. 1 Samuel 22:18, Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn

and strike down the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned



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and struck down the priests. He killed on that day eighty-

five men who wore the linen ephod. (NET)

2. Exodus 28:4-14, Now these are the garments that they

are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fitted

tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make holy

garments for your brother Aaron and for his sons, that

they may minister as my priests. The artisans are to use

the gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. “They are to

make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine

twisted linen, the work of an artistic designer. It is to have

two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it

can be joined together. The artistically woven waistband

of the ephod that is on it is to be like it, of one piece with

the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted

linen. “You are to take two onyx stones and engrave on

them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on

one stone, and the six remaining names on the second

stone, according to the order of their birth. You are to

engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of

Israel with the work of an engraver in stone, like the

engravings of a seal; you are to have them set in gold

filigree settings. You are to put the two stones on the

shoulders of the ephod, stones of memorial for the sons of

Israel, and Aaron will bear their names before the Lord

on his two shoulders for a memorial. You are to make

filigree settings of gold and two braided chains of pure

gold, like a cord, and attach the chains to the settings.

(NET)

B. “David functioned as the type of the Messiah as a king who is

also a priest.” (Payne via Hicks)

1. David participated in sacrificing the animals.



23

a. 2 Samuel 6:13, Those who carried the ark of the

Lord took six steps and then David sacrificed an ox

and a fatling calf. (NET)

b. 1 Chronicles 15:26, When God helped the Levites

who were carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant,

they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. (NET)

c. 1 Chronicles 16:1-3, They brought the Ark of God

and put it in the middle of the tent David had

pitched for it. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and

peace offerings before God. When David finished

offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he

pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s

name. He then handed out to each Israelite man and

woman a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin

cake. (NET)

II. David also wore a linen ephod.

A. The robe was not distinctively a priest’s garment although

priests did wear it. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. 1 Samuel 18:4, Jonathan took off the robe he was

wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his

gear, including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.

(NET)

2. 1 Samuel 24:5, 12, Afterward David’s conscience

bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul’s

robe. May the Lord judge between the two of us, and

may the Lord vindicate me over you, but my hand will

not be against you. (NET)



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3. 2 Samuel 13:8, So Tamar went to the house of Amnon

her brother, who was lying down. She took the dough,

kneaded it, made some cakes while he watched, and

baked them. (NET)

4. Job 1:20, Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved

his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to

the ground. (NET)

5. Job 2:12, But when they gazed intently from a distance

but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly.

Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the

air over their heads. (NET)

B. A robe of byssus is only mentioned here and in 2 Chronicles

5:12 and Esther 8:15. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. 2 Chronicles 5:12, All the Levites who were musicians,

including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and

relatives, wore linen. They played cymbals and stringed

instruments as they stood east of the altar. They were

accompanied by 120 priests who blew trumpets. (NET)

2. Esther 8:15, Now Mordecai went out from the king’s

presence in purple and white royal attire, with a large

golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa

shouted with joy. (NET)

C. The ephod, on the other hand, was no doubt distinctively a high

priest’s garment. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. Exodus 28:4-12, Now these are the garments that they

are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fitted

tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make holy

garments for your brother Aaron and for his sons, that



25

they may minister as my priests. The artisans are to use

the gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. “They are to

make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine

twisted linen, the work of an artistic designer. It is to have

two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it

can be joined together. The artistically woven waistband

of the ephod that is on it is to be like it, of one piece with

the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted

linen. “You are to take two onyx stones and engrave on

them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on

one stone, and the six remaining names on the second

stone, according to the order of their birth. You are to

engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of

Israel with the work of an engraver in stone, like the

engravings of a seal; you are to have them set in gold

filigree settings. 1 You are to put the two stones on the

shoulders of the ephod, stones of memorial for the sons of

Israel, and Aaron will bear their names before the Lord

on his two shoulders for a memorial. (NET)

2. Samuel did also wear one.

a. 1 Samuel 2:18, 28, Now Samuel was ministering

before the Lord. The boy was dressed in a linen

ephod. I chose your ancestor from all the tribes of

Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifice on my altar,

to burn incense, and to bear the ephod before me. I

gave to your ancestor’s house all the fire offerings

made by the Israelites. (NET)

1 Chronicles 15:28, All Israel brought up the ark of the Lord’s

covenant; they were shouting, blowing trumpets, sounding cymbals,

and playing stringed instruments. (NET)



26

I. All Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord with shouts,

. . .

II. . . . with the sounding of ram’s horns, trumpets, cymbals and the

playing of lyres and harps.”

A. “This highlights the holy character of this celebratory event.”

(Hicks)

1 Chronicles 15:29, As the ark of the Lord’s covenant entered the

City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out the window.

When she saw King David jumping and celebrating, she despised

him. (NET)

I. As the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was entering the City of

David, . . .

II. David danced with all his might which evidently was an avenue of

worship.

A. Dancing and playing can better be rendered leaping and

dancing according to The Pulpit Commentary.

II. Michael, daughter of Saul, watched from a window.

III. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, . . .

A. 2 Samuel 6:14-16, 6:20-23, Now David, wearing a linen

ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the Lord.

David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord,

shouting and blowing trumpets. As the ark of the Lord entered

the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the

window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before

the Lord, she despised him. When David went home to

pronounce a blessing on his own house, Michal, Saul’s



27

daughter, came out to meet him. She said, “How the king of

Israel has distinguished himself this day! He has exposed

himself today before his servants’ slave girls the way a vulgar

fool might do!” David replied to Michal, “It was before the

Lord! I was celebrating before the Lord, who chose me over

your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader

over the Lord’s people Israel. I am willing to shame and

humiliate myself even more than this! But with the slave girls

whom you mentioned let me be distinguished!” Now Michal,

Saul’s daughter, had no children to the day of her death.

(NET)

B. 1 Chronicles 15:29 may indicate Michal, like her father Saul,

did not appreciate God’s holy things and could not understand this

celebratory joy. (See Hicks.)

C. Coffman is more sympathetic with Michal and “seriously

questions the propriety of David’s actions in dancing before the ark

without his breeches.”

IV. she despised him in her heart.”

A. On one of the happiest days of his life, David’s wife despised

him in her heart!

1. What a sad turn of events this is!

B. Michael may have been jealous of David in view of his personal

dancing and attire and/or because the entrance of the ark into

Jerusalem, the capital, and the uniting of the people behind David

was seen as the absolute end of the political influence of the house

of Saul.

C. The Pulpit Commentary attributes Michal’s attitude to the

“unreason and irreligion” of her heart.



28

Conclusion:

I. This time the Israelites did it God’s way and were successful in

moving the Ark of God to Jerusalem!

A. Doing it God’s way pleases the LORD every time!

B. Doing it our way displeases the LORD every time!

II. Our lives and all our nation need to be centered on the divine, the

one Godhead, one God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

III. Our hearts must be kept pure!



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Questions

1 Chronicles 15:1-29

(Questions based on NIV text.)

1. Why was David’s first attempt to move the Ark of God to Jerusalem

unsuccessful? ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2. Into what four sections can the material in 1 Chronicles 15 be

divided? __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. What two things were of prime importance to David? ____________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

4. Did David’s order of construction show the correct priorities?

Explain your answer. ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5. ___________ had ___________ to _____________ his ___________

in ___________ to his ___________ _____________ to ___________

the __________ to ___________. He would ___________ __________

those _____________.

6. Who alone were authorized to move the Ark of God? How was it to

be moved? ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

7. ___________ _____________ _____________ and _____________ a

_____________ _____________ to bring the _____________ to

___________. Our ___________ is the ___________ of ___________

and _____________ _____________!

8. Of what six Levitical groups was the procession composed which

brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem? Approximately of how many

people was this procession composed? __________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

9. Who were the high priests involved in moving the Ark of God? Tell

something of their relationship through the years. __________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

10. By what procedures, methods were the priests and Levites charged

with moving the Ark of God to Jerusalem to consecrate themselves?

___

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

11. David attributed the failure to successfully bring the Ark of God to

Jerusalem on his first attempt to what two things? _________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

12. How was the ark to be carried? _____________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

13. Identify, describe all the musical instruments used in the move of the

Ark of God to Jerusalem. Use all applicable names of each instrument.

_

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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14. Name, identify and cite the duties all the musicians mentioned in 1

Chronicles 15. ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

15. Why were doorkeepers needed in moving the Ark of the Covenant

from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem? _____________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

16. Is the Obed-Edom mentioned in verse 11 the Obed-Edom in whose

house the Ark of the Covenant had been for three months? Explain your

answer. ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

17. What is meant by alamoth and sheminith? _____________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



33

18. What kinds of songs were to be sung during the transport of the ark

to Jerusalem? _____________ With what attitude did David, the elders

of Israel, et. al., go to the home of Obed-Edom? _____________ They

brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem with _____________.

19. How had God helped the Levites? How did they show their

appreciation for this help? ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

20. Was it appropriate for David to wear a robe of fine linen? Was it

appropriate for David to wear a linen ephod? What was an ephod? Give

reasons for your answers. _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

21. This was indeed a wondrous ___________ ___________ including

the ___________, _____________ _____________, the _____________

___________, the ___________ and the ___________ of ___________.

22. “The _____________ of the _____________ into _____________

brought about a _____________ _____________ of the _____________

of _____________ within _____________.” (via Coffman)

23. Was and/or is dancing an acceptable worship activity? Explain your

answer. Was David immodest in his dancing? ____________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

24. What was Michal’s problem? _______________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

25. What lessons have you learned from your study of 1 Chronicles 15

which will help you serve God better? ___________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Documents

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