1 Chronicles 15:1 - Meaning and Application

Preparation is now made for bringing the ark back from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David. David admits that in the earlier attempt, even though the work itself was good and they were seeking God, they had not sought him in the right way (1 Chronicles 15:13). In other words, they had acted without enough care, and that is why the effort failed. It is not enough to do a good thing, we must do it well, and when God corrects our mistakes, we should learn to be more careful.

David first prepared a place for the ark before bringing it in, and in that way he sought God in the right order. He did not have time to build a house, so he set up a tent for it (1 Chronicles 15:1). This may have been made as close as possible to the pattern God showed Moses on the mountain. When David built houses for himself in the city of David, he also made room for God’s ark. We should do the same, making sure that wherever we build for ourselves, we also make room for God’s house and worship.

David then ordered that the Levites, the tribe set apart for temple service, should carry the ark on their shoulders. He now remembered what he should have known already, that only the Levites were meant to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 15:2). The Kohathites carried it in ordinary travel, and that is why no wagons were assigned to them, since their work was to bear it on their shoulders (Numbers 7:9). On special occasions, such as crossing the Jordan or marching around Jericho, the priests carried it. The rule was clear, yet David had forgotten it before and had put the ark on a cart.

This shows that even people who know the word of God well do not always have it ready in mind when they need it. Good and wise people can make mistakes, but when they see their error, they should correct it. David did not excuse the wrong or blame others. He admitted that he, along with the rest, had not sought God in the proper order, and he then took care to gather the Levites and especially the sons of Aaron, the priestly family (1 Chronicles 15:3, 1 Chronicles 15:4, 1 Chronicles 15:11). He told the chiefs of the Levites, “You are the heads of the Levites, so you must carry the ark of the Lord” (1 Chronicles 15:12). Those who have greater rank should also take the lead in duty.

David reminded them that because they were the leaders, more was expected from them, both in serving themselves and in guiding the rest. He also reminded them that their earlier neglect had helped bring trouble on the people, when “the Lord made a breach upon us.” So he told them to sanctify themselves, that is, to make themselves clean for holy service and prepare their hearts for God. When people who have suffered from doing wrong learn to do better, correction has done its work well.

The Levites and priests did sanctify themselves and were ready to carry the ark on their shoulders, as the law required (1 Chronicles 15:14, 1 Chronicles 15:15). Many who have been careless in duty will reform if they are faithfully told what they should do. The judgment on Uzza made the priests more careful to prepare themselves, so that their reverence might also affect the people. Sometimes one person becomes an example so that many others will be more careful.

David also appointed officers to welcome the ark with every possible sign of joy (1 Chronicles 15:16). He directed the Levite leaders to choose those who were skilled for this service. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed for the first time here (1 Chronicles 15:17). Some played cymbals (1 Chronicles 15:19), others psalteries, that is, stringed instruments like harps or lyres (1 Chronicles 15:20), and others harps tuned to the Sheminith, or the eighth, meaning a musical setting an octave apart from the others (1 Chronicles 15:21). Some priests blew trumpets, as was usual when the ark was moved and at solemn feasts (1 Chronicles 15:24; Numbers 10:8; Psalm 81:3). One man was also appointed to lead the singing because he was skilled in it and could teach others as well (1 Chronicles 15:22).

Each person should use the gift God has given him for the good of all (1 Peter 4:10). Those who are especially gifted should not only use their ability well, but should also train others and be glad to share what they know. This way of praising God with musical instruments had not been used before. David, as a prophet, introduced it by God’s direction and added it to the outward rites of that time, which the apostle calls “earthly rules” or temporary ceremonial ordinances (Hebrews 9:10). The New Testament continues the singing of psalms, but it does not appoint church music as a required ordinance.

Some were appointed as porters, or gatekeepers, and others as doorkeepers for the ark (1 Chronicles 15:18, 1 Chronicles 15:23, 1 Chronicles 15:24). One of these was Obed-edom, who surely counted it an honor and a reward for having once housed the ark. He had cared for the ark in his home for three months, almost like its landlord. And when he could not keep that place any longer, his love for the ark was such that he was glad to become its doorkeeper.