New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Chronicles 15
1
David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David. Then he prepared a place for the ark of God. He set up a tent for it.
Reference
2
He said, "Only Levites can carry the ark of God. That's because the Lord chose them to carry his ark. He chose them to serve him forever in front of the place where his throne is."
Reference
3
David gathered the whole community of Israel together in Jerusalem. He wanted to bring the ark of the Lord up to the place he had prepared for it.
Reference
4
He called together the members of the family line of Aaron. He also called the Levites together. Here are the men who came from the families of the Levites.
5
From the families of Kohath came the leader Uriel and 120 relatives.
6
From the families of Merari came the leader Asaiah and 220 relatives.
8
From the families of Elizaphan came the leader Shemaiah and 200 relatives.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Exodus 6:22
9
From the families of Hebron came the leader Eliel and 80 relatives.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Exodus 6:18
11
David sent for the priests Zadok and Abiathar. He also sent for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab. They were Levites.
Reference
12
He said to them, "You are the leaders of the families of Levi. You and the other Levites must set yourselves apart to serve the Lord and his people. You must bring up the ark of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. Put the ark in the place I've prepared for it.
Reference
13
"Remember when the anger of the Lord our God broke out against us? It was because you Levites didn't bring the ark up the first time. We didn't ask the Lord how to do it in the way the law requires."
Reference
Creation
Numbers 4:15
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:40
1 Corinthians 11:2
Proverbs 28:13
Numbers 7:9
References God
2 Samuel 6:3
1 Chronicles 15:2
References Lord
Deuteronomy 31:9
14
So the priests and Levites set themselves apart. Then they brought up the ark of the Lord. He is the God of Israel.
15
This time the Levites used the poles to carry the ark of God on their shoulders. That's what Moses had commanded in keeping with the word of the Lord.
Reference
16
David told the Levite leaders to appoint their relatives as singers. He wanted them to sing joyful songs. He also wanted them to play lyres, harps and cymbals along with their singing.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 16:42
References David
Nehemiah 12:36
1 Chronicles 23:5
Sin
1 Chronicles 13:8
2 Chronicles 5:13
17
So the Levites appointed Heman, the son of Joel. From his relatives they chose Asaph, the son of Berekiah. Other relatives were from the family of Merari. From them they chose Ethan, the son of Kushaiah.
Reference
18
Along with them they chose their relatives who were next in line. Their names were Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They guarded the gates.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:4
19
Heman, Asaph and Ethan played the bronze cymbals.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 25:6
20
Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah played the high notes on the lyres.
People
21
Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah played the low notes on the harps.
People
22
Kenaniah was the leader of the Levites. He was in charge of the singing because he was good at it.
23
Berekiah and Elkanah guarded the ark.
24
Some of the priests blew trumpets in front of the ark of God. Their names were Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer. Obed-Edom and Jehiah also helped guard the ark.
Reference
People
25
David and the elders of Israel went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So did the commanders of companies of 1,000 men. With great joy they brought the ark up from the house of Obed-Edom.
26
God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 23:29
Job 42:8
1 Chronicles 29:14
2 Corinthians 2:16
Numbers 29:32
References God
Acts 26:22
2 Corinthians 3:5
References Lord
Ezekiel 45:23
1 Samuel 7:12
2 Samuel 6:13
27
David was wearing a robe that was made out of fine linen. So were all of the Levites who were carrying the ark. And so were the singers and the choir director Kenaniah. David was also wearing a sacred linen apron.
Reference
References David
2 Samuel 6:14
28
So the whole community of Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They shouted. They blew rams' horns and trumpets. They played cymbals, lyres and harps.
Reference
29
The ark of the covenant of the Lord was brought into the City of David. Saul's daughter Michal was watching from a window. She saw King David dancing and celebrating. That made her hate him in her heart.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Samuel 6:16
Summary of 1 Chronicles 15
This chapter describes David's successful second attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. After the failure and tragedy of the first attempt, David learns that the Ark must be carried according to God's instructions. He therefore prepares a special place for it in Jerusalem and organizes the priests and Levites for the task.
David gathers representatives from the major Levitical families, including the descendants of Kohath, Merari, and Gershom. He tells the Levites to consecrate themselves and reminds them that the previous failure occurred because they had not followed the proper instructions. The Levites then carry the Ark on their shoulders using the poles provided for that purpose.
David also organizes an elaborate musical procession. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan are appointed as leading musicians. Other singers and musicians play cymbals, harps, lyres, and trumpets. Priests blow the trumpets, while other Levites serve as gatekeepers and oversee the transportation.
David, the elders, and military leaders participate in the procession. When God helps the Levites successfully carry the Ark, the people offer sacrifices of bulls and rams. David wears fine linen and dances with joy before God.
The Ark finally enters the City of David, and all Israel celebrates with shouting, music, and worship.
However, the chapter ends with a contrasting response. Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, sees David dancing and despises him in her heart. Her reaction introduces a personal and royal tension into what had otherwise been a joyful national celebration.
The central lesson of the chapter is that David has learned from his earlier mistake. His desire to honor God is now combined with careful obedience to God's instructions.
Main Message:
The successful arrival of the Ark in Jerusalem demonstrates that joyful worship must be joined with obedience, reverence, proper preparation, and faithful leadership.
David gathers representatives from the major Levitical families, including the descendants of Kohath, Merari, and Gershom. He tells the Levites to consecrate themselves and reminds them that the previous failure occurred because they had not followed the proper instructions. The Levites then carry the Ark on their shoulders using the poles provided for that purpose.
David also organizes an elaborate musical procession. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan are appointed as leading musicians. Other singers and musicians play cymbals, harps, lyres, and trumpets. Priests blow the trumpets, while other Levites serve as gatekeepers and oversee the transportation.
David, the elders, and military leaders participate in the procession. When God helps the Levites successfully carry the Ark, the people offer sacrifices of bulls and rams. David wears fine linen and dances with joy before God.
The Ark finally enters the City of David, and all Israel celebrates with shouting, music, and worship.
However, the chapter ends with a contrasting response. Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, sees David dancing and despises him in her heart. Her reaction introduces a personal and royal tension into what had otherwise been a joyful national celebration.
The central lesson of the chapter is that David has learned from his earlier mistake. His desire to honor God is now combined with careful obedience to God's instructions.
Main Message:
The successful arrival of the Ark in Jerusalem demonstrates that joyful worship must be joined with obedience, reverence, proper preparation, and faithful leadership.