1 Chronicles 15 24

1 Chronicles 15:24 kjv

And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:24 nkjv

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:24 niv

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:24 esv

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:24 nlt

Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer ? all of whom were priests ? were chosen to blow the trumpets as they marched in front of the Ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were chosen to guard the Ark.

1 Chronicles 15 verses

1 Chronicles 15 24 Meaning

1 Chronicles 15:24 details the specific roles assigned to various Levite priests and doorkeepers during David's successful second attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It specifies that priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer were responsible for blowing trumpets directly before the Ark of God, symbolizing solemnity and divine presence. Additionally, Obed-Edom and Jehiah were appointed as doorkeepers, emphasizing the sacred security and access to the Ark. This verse highlights David's meticulous adherence to God's prescribed order for handling sacred objects, contrasting sharply with the earlier failed attempt.

1 Chronicles 15 24 Context

1 Chronicles 15 unfolds David's second and ultimately successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem. This endeavor is deeply influenced by the preceding tragic incident with Uzzah (1 Chr 13), where the Ark was incorrectly transported on a new cart, leading to Uzzah's death when he touched it. Learning from this error, David consults the Mosaic Law, recognizing that only the Levites were ordained to carry the Ark upon their shoulders by its poles (Num 4:15, 7:9). The chapter emphasizes David's meticulous preparation: building a tent for the Ark, summoning the Levites and priests, ensuring their consecration, and meticulously assigning roles. Verse 24 is part of the detailed enumeration of these consecrated personnel, underscoring the shift from a haphazard approach to a divinely prescribed, reverent, and orderly worship. The meticulous listing highlights the immense importance placed on adhering to God's specific instructions, setting a precedent for proper temple service under David's reign.

1 Chronicles 15 24 Word analysis

• Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests:
  • This is a precise enumeration of priestly names, descendants of Aaron. These individuals were consecrated for sacred service. Their naming emphasizes the personal accountability and divine selection for handling the most sacred aspects of Israel's worship.
  • the priests (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim): Members of the Aaronic line, uniquely authorized by God to perform sacred duties such as offering sacrifices, leading worship, and handling holy objects. Their presence signifies the solemn and holy nature of the Ark's procession, requiring divinely appointed intermediaries.
• did blow with the trumpets:
  • blow (implied verb from noun): The action of making sound through the trumpets.
  • the trumpets (חֲצֹצְרוֹת, chatsotsrot): These were straight, silver trumpets specifically designated for priestly use (Num 10:2). Distinct from the shofar (ram's horn), chatsotsrot were used for signaling assembly, giving alarms, directing movement, and solemnizing feasts and sacrifices. Their sound during the Ark's procession communicated command, joy, and divine presence, serving as an auditory declaration of God's arrival.
• before the ark of God:
  • before: Indicates a direct and immediate proximity, signifying that the trumpet blowing was a specific act performed in the Ark's immediate presence and honor.
  • the ark of God (אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים, aron Ha'Elohim): The Ark of the Covenant, the central sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne, presence, and covenant faithfulness. Its contents (tablets of the Law, manna, Aaron's rod) symbolize God's Word, provision, and priestly authority. Handling the Ark "according to due order" was paramount, as it encapsulated the holiness of God.
• and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark:
  • Obededom (עֹבֵד אֱדֹם, Oved Edom): A Gittite, meaning originally from Gath. He famously hosted the Ark after Uzzah's death, and his household was significantly blessed (1 Chr 13:13-14). His inclusion as a doorkeeper highlights God's favor and the enduring blessing upon those who faithfully house and honor His presence. He is also mentioned as a musician (1 Chr 15:21), showcasing the multifaceted nature of Levitical service.
  • Jehiah (יְחִיָּה, Yehiyah): Another designated doorkeeper.
  • doorkeepers (שֹׁעֲרִים, sho'arim): A Levitical class responsible for guarding and controlling access to the sacred spaces, literally 'gatekeepers' or 'porters.' Their role here for the Ark signifies the vital need for security, order, and reverence in the divine presence, ensuring that only those authorized could approach or handle it. It reflects David's commitment to protecting the sacred from any further irreverence.
• priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: This phrase group specifically outlines the primary public role of these priests during the procession – heralding the Ark. It connects the sacred instrument, the priestly office, and the divine presence, underscoring a joyful yet reverent worship.
• Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark: This grouping highlights the meticulous organization of security and access for the Ark. It shows that even ancillary roles around the sacred object were filled by chosen and faithful individuals, emphasizing comprehensive care for God's dwelling symbol.

1 Chronicles 15 24 Bonus section

• The exhaustive lists of personnel and their specific duties, as seen in this verse and throughout Chronicles, served as a theological statement. It countered any casual or unsanctified approach to divine service, indirectly correcting errors like Uzzah's. This emphasis reinforced the Mosaic Law's requirements for priesthood and temple service, advocating for divine order and consecration in all worship endeavors.
• The meticulous recount of the Ark's procession, including such specific details as priests blowing trumpets and appointed doorkeepers, showcases a didactic purpose within Chronicles. It provides a blueprint for ideal worship and governmental responsibility towards God's holiness. It taught subsequent generations that God blesses order and obedience, not human innovation or shortcut.
• The priests blew silver trumpets (chatsotsrot), not rams' horns (shofars). This distinction is important because the silver trumpets were primarily priestly instruments for summoning and signaling, particularly for sacred purposes, whereas the ram's horn had a broader use for alarms, battle cries, and calling general assemblies. This nuance emphasizes the priestly authority and their role in directly ministering before God.
• Obed-Edom's elevated role and his inclusion by name in various capacities (host of the Ark, musician, gatekeeper) exemplifies the generational blessing that can result from faithfulness to God. His story is a powerful illustration of divine favor cascading upon a household that respects and makes room for God's presence.

1 Chronicles 15 24 Commentary

1 Chronicles 15:24 is a testament to the meticulous planning and spiritual reformation enacted by David concerning the Ark of God's transport. Following the dire lesson of Uzzah, David ensured every aspect of this sacred undertaking aligned with divine instruction. This verse highlights the crucial roles of specific priests blowing trumpets – their sacred instruments (chatsotsrot) used not only for warning or command but significantly for acclamation and celebration in God's presence. This act symbolized a solemn joy and recognition of God's immediate sovereignty.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Obed-Edom and Jehiah as "doorkeepers" for the Ark is significant. Obed-Edom, previously blessed by the Ark's presence, is elevated to a role of trust, showcasing that God honors those who honor Him. This assignment underscores the emphasis on reverence, proper protocol, and the secure protection of God's holy presence. It signifies a profound shift from a cavalier attitude towards the Ark to one of meticulous reverence, where every role, from the trumpeting priests to the doorkeepers, was critical in establishing an atmosphere of holy fear and appropriate worship. This careful detailing reflects David's transformed understanding of God's holiness and the necessity of approaching Him according to His ordained ways, serving as a foundational example for all subsequent worship and service in Israel.