1 Chronicles 15:15 kjv
And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 15:15 nkjv
And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 15:15 niv
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 15:15 esv
And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 15:15 nlt
Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the LORD had instructed Moses.
1 Chronicles 15 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Proper Handling of Ark / Sacred Objects | ||
| Exo 25:14-15 | "And thou shalt put the staves into the rings... The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it." | Command for permanent staves on Ark. |
| Num 4:15 | "And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering... afterwards the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it..." | Kohathites' duty to bear sacred vessels. |
| Num 4:4 | "This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things." | Kohathites' primary duty. |
| Num 7:9 | "But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders." | Reason Kohathites had no carts. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Levites' specific role for the Ark. |
| 1 Chr 13:9-10 | "And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled... the LORD made a breach upon Uzza." | Uzzah's error, consequence of improper handling. |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | "And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it... God smote him there for his error..." | Parallel account of Uzzah's death. |
| 1 Chr 15:13 | "For because ye were not bearers at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." | David's realization of previous error. |
| Holiness and Reverence Towards God's Commands | ||
| Lev 10:1-3 | "And Nadab and Abihu... offered strange fire... the LORD devoured them... 'I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me...'" | Divine judgment for disrespect of holy things. |
| Exo 3:5 | "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." | Command for reverence in God's presence. |
| Psa 89:7 | "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him." | God's awesome holiness requires reverence. |
| Psa 99:5 | "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." | Call to reverence due to God's holiness. |
| Heb 12:29 | "For our God is a consuming fire." | God's unapproachable holiness. |
| Obedience to God's Word / Divine Authority | ||
| Deut 4:6 | "Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations..." | Obedience to law brings wisdom and respect. |
| Josh 1:8 | "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein..." | Importance of studying and obeying the Law. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments... that all these blessings shall come." | Blessings linked to obedience. |
| Psa 119:105 | "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." | God's word guides righteous living. |
| Rom 1:5 | "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name..." | Call to obedience to the faith. |
| Heb 5:9 | "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." | Salvation offered to those who obey Christ. |
| Symbolism of the Ark / God's Presence | ||
| Exo 25:22 | "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat..." | The Ark as a place of divine encounter. |
| Psa 132:8 | "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength." | Ark representing God's strength and presence. |
| Burden / Responsibility | ||
| Gal 6:2 | "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | Bearing burdens, in the New Testament context. |
| Mat 11:29-30 | "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." | Contrast with Old Covenant burdens/commands. |
1 Chronicles 15 verses
1 Chronicles 15 15 Meaning
1 Chronicles 15:15 describes the prescribed and corrected method for the Levites to transport the sacred Ark of God. It highlights that they bore the Ark on their shoulders, using the attached poles, precisely as God had commanded through Moses in the law. This verse marks a crucial return to divine instruction after a previous, failed attempt due to disobedience regarding the Ark's proper handling. It emphasizes reverence, obedience, and the specific duties assigned to the Levites.
1 Chronicles 15 15 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 15 records David's second, successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem. This endeavor was meticulously planned in stark contrast to the first failed attempt detailed in 1 Chronicles 13, which resulted in the death of Uzzah. David, having learned that the previous failure was due to neglecting the divine command regarding the Ark's transportation (it was moved on a cart, not by Levites on their shoulders), explicitly instructed the Levites to sanctify themselves and carry the Ark "after the due order" (1 Chr 15:13). Verse 15 details this renewed obedience, emphasizing strict adherence to the Mosaic law for handling the most sacred object in Israel, representing the presence and covenant of the LORD. The historical context reflects David's desire to centralize the worship of God in Jerusalem and his deep reverence for God's holiness and specific instructions.
1 Chronicles 15 15 Word analysis
- And the children of the Levites:
- Signifies a specific lineage within Israel, set apart by God for priestly duties. They are not merely any Israelites but those specifically designated.
- This distinguishes them from others who might presume to handle the Ark (as Uzzah, a non-Levite, did). Their role was divinely appointed (Num 1:50, Deut 10:8).
- bare:
- (Hebrew: נָשָׂא, nasa') Meaning "to lift," "to carry," "to bear."
- This verb implies physical effort and direct, personal engagement in the transportation. It emphasizes manual carrying rather than mechanical or animal assistance.
- It directly corrects the previous method of putting the Ark on a new cart (1 Chr 13:7), which was a human innovation and led to disaster.
- the ark of God:
- (Hebrew: אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים, aron ha'Elohim) "Ark of Elohim." The most sacred physical object in Israel, signifying the presence of the God of the Covenant.
- It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, representing God's Law, authority, and provision.
- Its holiness required specific and careful handling, demonstrating that God is not to be approached carelessly (Exo 25:10-22).
- upon their shoulders:
- (Hebrew: כָּתֵף, katef) Refers specifically to the shoulder, the primary method prescribed for carrying the Ark and other sanctuary furnishings (Num 7:9).
- This method embodied reverence, dedication, and personal responsibility. It meant the carriers felt the weight directly, connecting them to the holiness and significance of their burden.
- It highlights a commanded method over an expedient one.
- with the staves thereon:
- (Hebrew: בַּמּוֹטוֹת עֲלֵיהֶם, bammotot ‘alehem) "with the poles on them (the ark)." These were poles specifically designed for the Ark, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, permanently placed in rings attached to the Ark (Exo 25:13-15).
- The command stated the staves were never to be removed, ensuring that the Ark was always ready for transport and could never be directly touched (Exo 25:15).
- Their use was integral to the correct and holy method of carrying, serving as a protective buffer.
- as Moses commanded:
- References the Pentateuchal laws, specifically those given through Moses for the construction and transportation of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (e.g., Num 4:15, Deut 10:8).
- This phrase directly acknowledges human obedience to revealed divine law. David ensured that the procedures were exactly as transmitted through God's appointed leader.
- according to the word of the LORD:
- (Hebrew: עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, ‘al-pi YHWH) "by the mouth of Yahweh" or "according to the commandment of Yahweh."
- This underscores the ultimate divine authority behind Moses' commands. It wasn't merely a tradition or human wisdom, but a direct revelation from God Himself.
- This phrase elevates the significance of the act, showing that proper worship must always align with God's express will, not human preferences or innovation.
1 Chronicles 15 15 Bonus section
The Chronicler's narrative throughout 1 and 2 Chronicles heavily emphasizes the proper order of temple worship, the role of the Levites, and adherence to the Mosaic Law. 1 Chronicles 15:15 is a quintessential example of this theological agenda. David's prior error in 1 Chronicles 13 and Uzzah's death underscore the consequences of disobedience, making the careful instruction and execution in chapter 15 a powerful teaching moment about the necessity of conforming to God's exact revealed will. This focus serves as a model for Israel to maintain covenant faithfulness, highlighting that national well-being and blessing are tied to proper worship and obedience to God's established commands concerning His presence and service. The image of the Levites bearing the Ark upon their shoulders also implies a concept of stewardship—a weighty but honorable responsibility to carry God's presence among the people according to His explicit guidance.
1 Chronicles 15 15 Commentary
1 Chronicles 15:15 encapsulates a profound theological truth: that approaching God and handling His holy things must be done on His terms, not our own. David's meticulous adherence to the divinely prescribed method for carrying the Ark of the Covenant, contrasting sharply with the tragic failure of the first attempt, serves as a powerful lesson in obedience and reverence. The details – "Levites," "shoulders," "staves," "as Moses commanded," "according to the word of the LORD" – are not mere procedural notes but are freighted with significance. They stress God's absolute holiness, the seriousness of His commands, and the importance of consecrated individuals following His specific instructions for His service. This verse is a corrective act, demonstrating a repentance from past presumption and a return to worship according to divine pattern, reminding us that true devotion prioritizes God's Word above all.