Chapter 15

1 David, having prepared a place for the ark, ordereth the priests and Levites to bring it from Obed-edom. 25 He performeth the solemnity thereof with great joy. 29 Michal despiseth him.

1. David made. The record resumes the thread of the narrative dropped at ch. 13:14, and continues the account of the removal of the ark from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem. The narrative of the transfer of the ark (chs. 15 and 16) is more detailed than is the account in Samuel (2 Sam. 6:12–20).

Houses. This probably refers to a general building up of the city of Jerusalem, with special reference to buildings required for the administration of the country from Jerusalem as the capital. The little Jebusite town captured by David would be inadequate for the purposes it was henceforth to serve, and David’s first few years in the city were marked by extensive building activity.

City of David. The “castle of Zion” (ch. 11:5, 7), in the southeastern section of the later city of Jerusalem.

A place for the ark. Compare 2 Sam. 6:17.

Tent. Heb.Хohel, translated “tabernacle” (2 Sam. 6:17). There was another tabernacle at Gibeon, where the altar was and where sacrifices were offered (1 Kings 3:4; 1 Chron. 16:39, 40). The tabernacle at Gibeon was the famous tabernacle that Moses had made in the wilderness (2 Chron. 1:3).

2. Carry the ark. For the Mosaic instructions concerning the moving of the ark, see Num. 4:5–15. The carrying of the ark was only one of the duties of the Levites (Deut. 10:8), and this duty was assigned to the Kohathite branch (Num. 4:15). David’s present enunciation of the law is an acknowledgment that it had not been observed in the previous effort to transfer the ark three months before (see 1 Chron. 13:7–10; 15:12, 13). The account in Samuel specifically states that on this occasion the ark was carried (2 Sam. 6:13).

4. Children of Aaron. That is, the sons of Aaron, the priests.

The Levites. The divisions of the Levites are listed in vs. 5–10.

5. The sons of Kohath. Kohath is listed second among the sons of Levi (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16; 1 Chron. 6:1, 16). This was the line to which Aaron himself belonged (1 Chron. 6:2, 3). The Kohathites had special supervision over the ark and the articles of furniture in the holy place (Num. 3:30, 31). They alone were to carry the ark (Num. 4:15).

8. Elizaphan. The son of Uzziel, one of the sons of Kohath (Ex. 6:18, 22).

9. Hebron. Hebron and Uzziel (v. 10) were sons of Kohath (Ex. 6:18; 1 Chron. 6:2).

11. Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Zadok may have been high priest during the later years of Saul, after Ahimelech had been slain in the slaughter of the priests of Nob and his sole surviving heir, Abiathar, became a fugitive with David, being thus cut off from contact with the tabernacle (1 Sam. 22:9–23). If Zadok was Saul’s high priest (and if he was the Zadok of 1 Chron. 12:28, although not there described as a priest), that could account for his serving during David’s reign as joint high priest with Abiathar. In that case his serving at the tabernacle in Gibeon (1 Chron. 16:39) may have been a continuation of his former office. See further on 2 Sam. 8:17.

12. Chief of the fathers. Heads of their respective houses of Levites.

Sanctify yourselves. Before engaging in the solemn work of carrying the ark they were to cleanse themselves of all defilement. Now that another attempt was to be made to transfer the ark, David wished to make sure that every requirement of God should be strictly adhered to.

13. Did it not. In the first attempt to transfer the ark from Kirjath-jearim the requirements of the Lord were not followed, and Uzza met instant death for his folly in touching the ark (ch. 13:7–10).

Made a breach. Literally, “broke forth.” This refers to the death of Uzza (ch. 13:11). See Ex. 19:22, 24, where the same expression is used.

After the due order. In the previous attempt to transfer the ark they had placed it upon a cart (ch. 13:7) instead of carrying it on the shoulders of the sons of Kohath as the Lord had specifically ordained (Num. 4:15).

15. Levites bare the ark. This statement describes how the ark was carried and anticipates the statement later in the narrative (vs. 25, 26) setting forth the fact that the ark was being transferred.

With the staves. Compare Ex. 25:14.

As Moses commanded. See Ex. 25:13–15; Num. 1:50; 4:15; 7:9.

16. Singers with instruments. Vocal and instrumental music formed an important part in the religious services of the Hebrews. This was true in the period of the Exodus (Ex. 15:1, 20, 21), during the judges period (Judges 5:1–3; 1 Sam. 10:5), and in the days of David (1 Chron. 13:8). Musicians were now carefully trained and set apart for the part they were to perform in the religious services (see 1 Chron. 6:31; 23:5; 25:1–31; 2 Chron. 29:25–30; 35:15).

17. Heman. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan are named among the singers who were “set over the service of song in the house of the Lord” (ch. 6:31, 33, 39, 44).

18. Second degree. That is, musicians of the second order (see ch. 16:5).

Ben. A transliteration of the Hebrew word for “son.” It is missing in several Hebrew manuscripts, and the LXX does not account for it in its translation. Some think that “Bani” (ch. 6:46) is intended.

19. Appointed to sound. The leaders probably employed these cymbals to lead out in the marking of time.

20. Alamoth. See Introduction to the book of Psalms.

21. Sheminith. Literally, “eighth.” The exact meaning of this musical term is not known. Some have thought it refers to the octave, or to an eight-stringed instrument. However, most scholars now regard it as a melody or a style of singing. The word appears in the superscription of Ps. 6 and 12.

To excel. Heb. lenasseach, meaning unknown.

22. Song. Heb. masЊsЊaХ, “a lifting,” “a bearing.” It may refer to the uplifting of the voice in song, although some think that the chronicler here refers to the bearing of the ark.

23. Doorkeepers. Warders for the ark, so that no unauthorized person might approach it.

24. Blow with the trumpets. The seven priests here named marched before the ark, each blowing his trumpet, as stated in Joshua 6:4.

25. David, and the elders. The narrative of the moving of the ark now begins. The preceding verses describe the order of the procession and the arrangements.

26. God helped the Levites. This clause does not appear in 2 Sam. 6:13. However, there the following statement is made, “when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces.” The death of Uzza had no doubt raised the fear that the Lord might again be displeased when another attempt was made to move the ark. So at first it was moved only six paces, and when no evidence of the Lord’s displeasure appeared, sacrifices were offered expressing their thanksgiving to God that His presence had been with them and had helped them.

27. A robe of fine linen. David put aside his kingly robe for this solemn occasion and wore a linen robe of the type worn by the priests and others (2 Chron. 5:12). He did this, not to indicate that he had assumed priestly prerogatives, but presumably to show that he was here taking his place on a level with his subjects in their service of the Lord.

The Levites. The Levites and singers as well as David the king wore linen robes for this occasion.

Ephod. A short, sleeveless garment such as was usually worn by the priests and others (see on 1 Sam. 2:18; 2 Sam. 6:14). The parallel verse (2 Sam. 6:14) makes no mention of David’s wearing a robe, but it does mention David’s dancing in the ephod, a detail not noted by the chronicler. It would be natural to take off an outer robe for strenuous activity.

28. All Israel. Representatives of all Israel were present for the occasion. Their presence meant the approval of all the tribes of the transfer of the ark to its new home in Jerusalem.

29. City of David. The entry of the ark into the City of David was a joyous and solemn occasion. God planned that Jerusalem should become the metropolis of all the earth, the center of religious instruction for the nation. If Israel had continued faithful to God, Jerusalem would have remained the capital of Israel forever, and God would have continued to bless the city and its people with His presence through all time to come (see DA 577; PK 46, 564).

Dancing. David’s dancing was an act of holy joy (see on 2 Sam. 6:14) then considered an appropriate form of worship.

Despised him. The sequel to this incident, in which Michal upbraided David for his actions on this occasion, is found in 2 Sam. 6:20–22.

Ellen G. White comments

1–29PP 706–711

1–3PP 706

16   Ev 501

25, 26  PP 706

27, 28  PP 707

29        PP 711