1 Chronicles 15

1 Chronicles 15 recounts the second attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David. In 1 Chronicles 13, Uzza died while the ark was being transported on a cart, and the ark then remained at the house of Obed-edom. In this chapter David reflects on that failure and moves the ark according to the prescribed ordinance. The same event is recorded in 2 Samuel 6.

Outline

• Verses 1–3 David prepares a place for the ark and pitches a tent for it. He declares that only the Levites may carry the ark and gathers all Israel to Jerusalem.
• Verses 4–10 The descendants of Aaron and the Levites are assembled. The sons of Kohath, Merari, Gershom, Elizaphan, Hebron, and Uzziel number 120, 220, 130, 200, 80, and 112, respectively.
• Verses 11–15 David commands the priests Zadok and Abiathar and six heads of Levitical families to sanctify themselves. The Levites carry the ark on their shoulders with its staves, as Moses commanded.
• Verses 16–24 Singers and musicians are appointed. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan sound cymbals of brass, while others play psalteries and harps. Chenaniah instructs in song, and doorkeepers and priests to blow the trumpets are also designated.
• Verses 25–28 David, the elders, and the captains over thousands bring up the ark, offering seven bullocks and seven rams. David wears a linen ephod, and the people shout and sound their instruments.
• Verse 29 Michal, the daughter of Saul, sees David dancing from a window and despises him in her heart.

Key Verses

• 1 Chronicles 15:2 "None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites" — the governing principle of the chapter, in contrast to the failure in chapter 13.
• 1 Chronicles 15:13 "For that we sought him not after the due order" — David's explanation of why the first attempt failed.

People and Places

• David — the king who led the effort to bring up the ark.
• Zadok and Abiathar — the two priests of David's time.
• Heman, Asaph, and Ethan — singers among the Levites. The same names also appear in the titles of some of the Psalms.
• Chenaniah — the Levitical chief who was in charge of the singing and gave instruction in it.
• Obed-edom — the owner of the house where the ark had remained. In this chapter he also appears as a musician and a doorkeeper.
• Levites — the group responsible for carrying the ark and leading praise.
• City of David — the stronghold of Zion in Jerusalem.

Points for Reflection

• Compared with 2 Samuel 6, Chronicles includes lengthy lists of Levites and details of the organization of praise. By contrast, it reduces the Michal episode to a single verse and omits the exchange between her and David (2 Samuel 6:20–23). Scholars attribute this to the Chronicler's interest in the Levites and temple worship.
• The ordinance for carrying the ark with staves appears in Exodus 25 and Numbers 4.
• The terms "Alamoth" and "Sheminith" in verses 20–21 render Hebrew words whose precise meaning is unknown. These words also appear in the titles of Psalm 46 and Psalm 6.
• The names in the lists vary slightly from verse to verse. Interpreters also differ on whether the two mentions of Obed-edom refer to the same person.

In the Korean Church

The phrase "after the due order" in verse 13 is frequently cited in sermons emphasizing proper worship. The Levitical organization of praise is often presented as the biblical background for choir ministry.