1 Chronicles 15:3 kjv
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:3 nkjv
And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:3 niv
David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:3 esv
And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:3 nlt
Then David summoned all Israel to Jerusalem to bring the Ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:10-22 | They shall make an ark of acacia wood... with the atonement cover on top... | Blueprint for the Ark of the Covenant, highlighting its sacredness. |
| Num 4:4-15 | The duty of the sons of Kohath... to carry the most holy things. | Specific Levitical instruction for handling sacred objects like the Ark. |
| 2 Sam 6:1-11 | David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel... When they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah reached out... and died. | Parallel account of the first, failed attempt to move the Ark, emphasizing the lack of proper procedure. |
| 1 Chr 13:1-14 | And David consulted with the commanders... we will bring back the ark of our God... when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand... and God struck him down. | The immediate preceding event in Chronicles, highlighting the lesson learned from improper handling. |
| 1 Chr 15:1 | David built houses for himself in the city of David... and prepared a place for the ark of God. | Direct context, showing David's preparatory work mentioned in verse 3. |
| 1 Chr 15:12-13 | David said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; consecrate yourselves... because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us..." | David's explanation of the previous failure and the requirement for Levites to carry the Ark. |
| Josh 3:3-6 | When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out. | Demonstrates Levites' role in carrying the Ark as God ordained. |
| Lev 10:1-3 | Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire... and fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them. | Illustration of divine wrath for improper handling of sacred things. |
| Deut 12:5-7 | But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose... and there you shall bring your burnt offerings... | Emphasizes God's chosen place of worship, akin to Jerusalem for the Ark. |
| Ps 132:8 | Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. | Prayer for God's presence, directly linking to the Ark's settlement. |
| Isa 2:3 | For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. | Prophecy of Jerusalem as the center of divine instruction and presence. |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. | New Testament emphasis on proper spiritual "worship" and reverence in light of God's holiness. |
| Heb 9:4-5 | The ark of the covenant containing the golden urn with the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. | Details the contents of the Ark, reinforcing its spiritual significance. |
| Rev 11:19 | Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. | Shows the enduring symbolic significance of the Ark in ultimate divine revelation. |
| 1 Kgs 8:1 | Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel... to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. | Later movement of the Ark into Solomon's Temple, a continuation of David's work. |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. | Prophetic vision of God's dwelling in Jerusalem, connecting to the Ark's placement. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | The reverence due to Christ, contrasting with the reverence shown to God's presence in the Ark. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. | The Church as the New Testament dwelling place for God's Spirit, the ultimate fulfillment of His dwelling among His people. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. | Jesus' preeminence, ensuring order and purpose, akin to the order David now sought to bring to God's worship. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. | David's correction of method, reflecting how Scripture guides righteous conduct and worship. |
1 Chronicles 15 verses
1 Chronicles 15 3 Meaning
David assembled the entirety of the Israelite community in Jerusalem with the explicit purpose of properly transporting the Ark of the Lord to the specific, prepared location he had designated for it. This verse signifies a corrected, intentional, and nationally unified effort following a previous error, emphasizing meticulous preparation and proper adherence to divine instruction regarding the sacred Ark.
1 Chronicles 15 3 Context
First Chronicles Chapter 15 continues the narrative from Chapter 13, which recounted David's first, failed attempt to bring the Ark of the Lord from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. In that instance, due to improper handling (transporting it on a new cart instead of by the Levites as prescribed by the Mosaic Law), Uzzah was struck dead. This incident instilled fear in David, and he left the Ark at the house of Obed-edom. Chapter 15 marks David's second attempt, demonstrating his profound lesson learned. Having previously prepared a place for the Ark (1 Chron 15:1), David now meticulously orchestrates the move, focusing on divine protocol. The overall literary context of Chronicles highlights the importance of proper worship, adherence to God's Law, the role of the Levites, and David's righteous reign as a blueprint for Judah's future. Historically, this event signifies the spiritual consolidation of Israel under David's leadership and the establishment of Jerusalem as the national religious center.
1 Chronicles 15 3 Word analysis
- And David: Connects this act directly to David's personal initiative and leadership, emphasizing his active role in spiritual matters for the nation. It highlights his learned lesson from the previous failure (1 Chr 13) and his resolve to proceed correctly.
- assembled (ויקהל - vayyaqhel): From the root qahal (קהל), meaning "to call an assembly," "to gather." This verb signifies a deliberate, formal, and authorized summoning of the people. It implies a sense of national unity and a sacred purpose for the gathering, moving beyond a casual or spontaneous event. The use of this term contrasts with the less organized first attempt, stressing the solemnity and importance of the occasion.
- all Israel (כל ישראל - kol Yisrael): Not merely a select few or representatives, but signifying the comprehensive involvement of the entire nation, emphasizing the corporate nature of their covenant relationship with God. It speaks to national unity and underscores the gravity and public nature of the Ark's relocation. This includes their leadership and people, indicating collective responsibility and endorsement.
- at Jerusalem (ירושלם - Yerushalaim): The newly established political capital of David's kingdom. Its significance is being transformed from merely a political center to the spiritual heart of the nation by becoming the chosen resting place for the Ark, signifying God's presence.
- to bring up (להעלות - leha'alot): From the verb 'alah (עלה), "to go up," "to ascend," often used in the context of offering sacrifices, pilgrimage, or bringing something sacred to a higher or more consecrated place. This highlights the elevation in status of the Ark's move and its sacred ascent.
- the ark of the Lord (ארון יהוה - 'aron YHWH): The most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne, His presence among His people, and the covenant relationship. It emphasizes the absolute holiness of what is being moved, directly connecting the act to God Himself ("the Lord" - YHWH, the personal covenant name of God).
- to its place (למקומו - limeqomo): Implies a rightful, divinely ordained destination. This wasn't an arbitrary choice, but a place designed for its proper dwelling. It signifies order, purpose, and reverence.
- which he had prepared for it (אשר הכין לו - 'asher hekin lo): From the verb kun (כון), meaning "to establish," "to prepare," "to make firm" or "ready." This phrase is crucial. It underscores David's deliberate and thorough preparation, including a specific tent/tabernacle (1 Chr 15:1). This meticulously prepared place signifies David's changed approach and obedience, contrasting starkly with the improvised method of the first attempt. It shows his commitment to respecting God's holy requirements.
- "And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem": This phrase emphasizes national unity and concerted effort under divine leadership for a religious purpose, distinguishing this assembly from a purely political or military gathering. It suggests a call to communal participation in sacred work.
- "to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place": This highlights the sacred object being moved and its destined holy dwelling. The Ark represents God's very presence, thus its "place" implies a consecrated dwelling appropriate for divine holiness, establishing Jerusalem as a theological center.
- "which he had prepared for it": This crucial addition by the Chronicler points to David's intentional and painstaking preparation. It underscores that this attempt was not rash or presumptuous but marked by diligence, obedience, and learning from past failures, reflecting a heart devoted to proper worship.
1 Chronicles 15 3 Bonus section
The Chronicler's specific detail that David "assembled all Israel" before the movement of the Ark (which is more briefly mentioned in 2 Samuel) serves to emphasize national unity in spiritual endeavor. It projects an idealized Israel united under God's chosen king for God's purposes, a powerful message for the post-exilic community for whom Chronicles was written. This verse underscores a foundational principle in Old Testament worship: God dictates the terms of engagement. Human innovation, however well-intentioned, can be fatal when it disregards divine instruction regarding holy things. David’s experience became a biblical object lesson, instructing future generations, and particularly the Levites and priests, on the indispensable role of established protocol in serving God. The move of the Ark to Jerusalem under these new, correct conditions can be seen typologically as a precursor to the true spiritual indwelling of God in the New Testament Church through Christ, where believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:21-22), emphasizing order and reverence in the corporate body of believers.
1 Chronicles 15 3 Commentary
First Chronicles 15:3 acts as a pivotal moment in David's reign, marking a conscious pivot from past error to obedient worship. The previous disaster (1 Chron 13) served as a profound lesson for David and the nation concerning the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. This verse thus lays the foundation for a renewed, divinely guided endeavor. The assembling of "all Israel" signifies that this was not merely a royal decree but a national covenantal act, drawing the entire community into the proper reverence due to the Ark and the Lord it represented.
The choice of Jerusalem, recently secured by David, underlines its emerging dual role as both political and spiritual capital. By bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, David was not only consolidating his kingdom but, more importantly, centering the worship of YHWH in the heart of the nation. The emphasis on David having "prepared a place" (reinforced by 1 Chron 15:1) contrasts sharply with the earlier lack of forethought and proper procedure. This careful preparation – understood biblically to involve constructing a tent-tabernacle for the Ark and diligently researching the Levitical requirements – signifies a spirit of humility, repentance, and diligent obedience to God's revealed will. This careful preparation highlights that sincere intention alone is insufficient; adherence to divine command is paramount when approaching a holy God.
Practical usage includes the understanding that devotion must be paired with diligent study of God's Word and obedient application. Furthermore, a failure can be a catalyst for deeper learning and corrected action, leading to renewed obedience. It reminds believers of the importance of proper approach to God's holiness, recognizing that His grace does not negate the need for reverence and obedience.