1 CHRONICLES 15 - Ark brought to Jerusalem 

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** David was moved to build a permanent tabernacle to place the Ark and, with the help of Hiram, was able to build a palace for himself along with homes for his wives and children  <M130>

1 Chronicles 15:1 NIV

[1] After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

Deuteronomy 12:5-7 NIV

[5] But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; [6] there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. [7] There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.

** Saul did not inquire of the Lord regarding the Ark during his reign, so David eventually had his people bring it back from the Philistines in accordance with the Lord’s will

1 Chronicles 13:1-4 NIV

[1] David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. [2] He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. [3] Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” [4] The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

1 Chronicles 15:2-3,11-12 NIV

[2] Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.” [3] David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. [11] Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. [12] He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.

** David learned how the Ark was to be transported and, understanding that God is truly holy, obeyed His commands when bringing the Ark to Jerusalem

• David learned the Ark was to be carried by Levites and not transported using a cart

• He then understood why God struck Uzzah, despite his good intentions in trying to steady the Ark

• David launched his rule of a united Israel understanding God’s Word alone could provide a foundation on which the king and nation might stand  <R1795>

1 Chronicles 13:13-14 NIV

[13] He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. [14] The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.

1 Chronicles 15:2-3 NIV

[2] Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.” [3] David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it.

** David realized the trouble bringing the Ark to Jerusalem the first time because Saul and people did not inquire of the Lord for instructions; they followed God’s direction this time as they brought the Ark with God’s help

1 Chronicles 15:13-15 NIV

[13] It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way. ” [14] So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. [15] And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 15:25-28 NIV

[25] So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. [26] Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. [27] Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. [28] So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

** God continues to provide gifts to His children to be used in His service

1 Chronicles 15:22 NIV

[22] Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.