1 Chronicles 15:2 kjv
Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
1 Chronicles 15:2 nkjv
Then David said, "No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever."
1 Chronicles 15:2 niv
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."
1 Chronicles 15:2 esv
Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.
1 Chronicles 15:2 nlt
Then he commanded, "No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to serve him forever."
1 Chronicles 15 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 4:15 | "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects... then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them..." | Levites' specific duty to carry holy items. |
| Num 7:9 | "But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the care of the holy things, which had to be carried on their shoulders." | Ark carried on shoulders, not carts. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Levites chosen for carrying the Ark forever. |
| Deut 18:5 | "For the LORD your God has chosen him and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the name of the LORD always." | Levitical perpetual service. |
| 1 Sam 6:6-7 | "...why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs?... So make a new cart..." | Philistines using a cart for the Ark. |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | "And when they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it... and God struck him down there..." | Uzzah's death due to improper Ark handling. |
| 1 Chr 13:9-10 | "When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand... and the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah..." | Previous failure and Uzzah's death. |
| 1 Chr 15:13 | "For because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, for we did not inquire of Him according to the rule." | David's understanding of past error. |
| Exo 25:12-15 | "You shall cast four rings... Put the poles into the rings..." | Detailed instructions for carrying the Ark with poles. |
| Exo 25:21-22 | "Place the mercy seat on top of the ark, and put the tablets of the covenant law in the ark... there I will meet with you..." | Ark as dwelling place for God's presence. |
| Num 3:5-10 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near... to Aaron and his sons. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community..." | Levites assigned to priestly service. |
| Josh 3:3-6 | "When you see the ark of the covenant... and the priests, the Levites, carrying it, then you are to set out from your place..." | Levites carrying the Ark in critical moments. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | "Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire before the LORD... and fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them." | Consequences of disobedience in worship. |
| Exo 30:20-21 | "Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die..." | Importance of purification for sacred service. |
| Psa 24:3-4 | "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart..." | Requirement of holiness for God's presence. |
| Isa 6:5 | "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips... and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.'" | Holiness of God inspires awe and fear. |
| 1 Sam 6:19 | "He struck down some of the people of Beth Shemesh, 50,070 men, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD." | Sanctity of the Ark and consequences of irreverence. |
| Heb 9:3-5 | "Behind the second curtain was a tabernacle called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant..." | Description of the Ark's place in the Tabernacle. |
| Acts 7:44 | "Our ancestors had the tent of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern..." | Divine instruction for holy things. |
| Rom 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." | Application of God's demands for worship. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." | Principle of order in sacred actions. |
1 Chronicles 15 verses
1 Chronicles 15 2 Meaning
The verse presents King David's decisive declaration, founded upon his re-examination of Mosaic law, that only the divinely consecrated Levites are authorized to transport the Ark of the LORD. This strict instruction was because God Himself had specially chosen the Levites for the sacred task of carrying the Ark and for the perpetual performance of their consecrated ministry before Him. It marks a pivotal correction after the previous failure to transport the Ark properly, underscoring the absolute necessity of adherence to divine ordinance in sacred service.
1 Chronicles 15 2 Context
The immediate context of 1 Chronicles 15:2 follows a disastrous initial attempt by King David to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13). In that earlier attempt, the Ark was transported on an ox-cart, leading to Uzzah's death when he touched it. This tragedy caused David to pause the transfer, fearing the Lord.
Upon reflection, consulting God's law, David realized his error: the Ark, the holiest object in Israel representing God's throne and presence, was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites, specifically the Kohathite clan, using poles inserted into its rings, as precisely instructed in Exodus and Numbers. This verse thus marks David's rectification of past mistakes, signifying his understanding of the importance of precise obedience to divine commands, rather than human expediency or innovation, in approaching the holy God and His sacred items. The focus shifts from merely moving the Ark to honoring God according to His prescribed way.
1 Chronicles 15 2 Word analysis
- Then David said: This opening signals a declarative statement, indicating a new course of action. It underscores David's active role in leading Israel according to rediscovered divine truth, learning from his past error.
- 'No one is to carry... except the Levites': This establishes an exclusive divine mandate.
- No one: Emphasizes absolute prohibition for non-Levites.
- carry (nasa'): The specific action of lifting and bearing. The Mosaic Law stipulated carrying on the shoulders with poles (Exo 25:14; Num 4:6, 11). The earlier error (1 Chr 13) involved using a cart, a method not commanded for the Ark.
- except the Levites (Leviyim - לְוִיִּם): The descendants of Levi, set apart by God for tabernacle and temple service. This was a core tenet of the covenant from the wilderness wanderings, a distinct and perpetual assignment.
- the ark of God (aron ha'Elohim - אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים): The wooden chest covered with gold, containing the tablets of the Covenant, representing God's throne and active presence among His people (Exo 25:10-22). Its very designation "of God" highlights its sanctity and unique divine ownership. Improper handling directly disrespected God Himself.
- for the LORD has chosen them: This is the theological justification and central reason for the exclusivity. David explicitly acknowledges God's sovereign choice and eternal appointment.
- the LORD (YHWH - יְהוָה): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His divine authority in making such a sacred and exclusive choice.
- chosen (bachar - בָּחַר): To select, elect, pick out. It implies a deliberate and sacred designation by God, distinguishing the Levites from all other tribes for this unique privilege and responsibility (Deut 10:8). This divine election formed the basis of their legal and cultic status.
- to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever: Reiteration and expansion of the Levites' divinely appointed role.
- the ark of the LORD: Reiterates the supreme importance of the object and whose presence it symbolizes.
- and to minister (sharat - שָׁרַת): To serve, attend, perform official and sacred duties. This encompasses not just transportation, but also all the ancillary services required for the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Num 3:7-9, 1 Chr 23:28-32). It’s a dedicated, comprehensive service.
- before Him: Directly in the presence of God, emphasizing the sacred and intimate nature of their service.
- forever (ad 'olam - עַד־עוֹלָם): A term denoting perpetuity, through successive generations. This underscores the enduring validity of God's divine command and the Levitical assignment, which was not subject to human change or discretion. It reflected God's unchanging will for the order of worship.
1 Chronicles 15 2 Bonus section
The profound significance of 1 Chronicles 15:2 lies in its demonstration of a crucial spiritual lesson learned by King David. It directly contrasts with his previous, presumptuous approach where he used an ox-cart, likely emulating the Philistines (1 Sam 6) rather than consulting God's explicit law for Israel (Num 4). The re-establishment of the proper method—Levites carrying the Ark with poles—highlights a return to biblical order and reverence. This re-consultation of the Mosaic Law after suffering severe consequences exemplifies the timeless importance of Scripture as the authoritative guide for all worship and service. The Levites were uniquely dedicated, chosen "forever," not based on their personal merit but on God's covenantal election, which resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereign choice in salvation and service.
1 Chronicles 15 2 Commentary
King David's declaration in 1 Chronicles 15:2 is a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereign authority and the absolute necessity of worshipping and serving Him according to His explicit instructions. After the tragic failure in 1 Chronicles 13, which revealed a lack of diligence in consulting and obeying divine law regarding the Ark's transport, David meticulously corrected the approach. He recognized that God's holiness demanded precise adherence to established protocols, especially concerning sacred objects symbolizing His presence. The choice of the Levites to carry the Ark was not arbitrary but divinely ordained "forever," emphasizing a permanent sacred order that human ingenuity or convenience could not override. This verse highlights a vital principle for believers: serving God requires diligent inquiry into His revealed will, humble submission to His specific commands, and a profound respect for His holiness. It is not enough to have good intentions; obedience must align with divine prescription.
- Practical Usage Examples:
- Understanding the importance of specific divine commands in Scripture for worship and conduct, rather than relying on personal preference or cultural norms.
- The principle of discerning and adhering to biblical teaching, even when it counters human logic or past practices that proved erroneous.
- Acknowledging the concept of being "set apart" for a divine purpose, echoing the Levites' dedicated role, which might relate to spiritual gifts or callings within the Christian faith.