And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem ,.... The chief and heads of the people: to bring up the ark of the Lord ; from the house of Obededom, where it had been three months, and for the sake of which his house was blessed, and which David heard of; and this encouraged him to take this step to fetch it from thence: unto his place, which he had prepared for it; 1 Chronicles 15:1 . read more
There are few happier, and perhaps no better, chapters in any one's life than the chapter of practical repentance. To have to sorrow over the past and to undo it is, no doubt, the incident of a fallen nature and of a frail, imperfect life. When once, however, the necessity has arisen, then to sorrow no barren sorrow, but to add to it reparation, alteration, amendment, is at one and the same time to fling a just, manly defiance at the merciless spirit of remorse and to pay the merited homage... read more
All Israel ; i.e. as before, representatives of all Israel. So 1 Chronicles 15:25 decides: "The elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord." read more
All Israel - Chosen men probably, like the 30,000 of 2 Samuel 6:1. See 1 Chronicles 15:25. read more
The ark comes to Jerusalem (13:1-16:7)David knew that part of the reason for Israel’s previous weakness was Saul’s lack of interest in its religious life. Even the ark of the covenant, symbol of God’s presence, lay forgotten in a country house. David set out to restore the ark to its rightful place at the centre of the nation’s religious life. In bringing the ark to Jerusalem, his aim was to make Jerusalem the religious, as well as the political, centre of Israel. But his plans suffered an... read more
3. David gathered all Israel together—Some are of opinion that this was done on one of the three great festivals, but at whatever time the ceremonial took place, it was of great importance to summon a general convocation of the people, many of whom, from the long-continued disorders of the kingdom, might have had little or no opportunity of knowing anything of the ark, which had been allowed to remain so long in obscurity and neglect. read more
3. The importance of the priests and Levites 15:1-15David had learned that he had to handle the ark as God had prescribed. He had to relate to God on His terms. His preparation of a tent for the ark in Jerusalem was in harmony with God’s instructions (Exodus 26). David scrupulously observed the Mosaic Law as he brought the ark into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:13; 1 Chronicles 15:15). His obedience was worship, but David also provided for other expressions of worship: namely, music and... read more
The transport of the Ark to JerusalemThis chapter is parallel to 2 Samuel 6:12-23, but contains much new matter respecting the Levites who bare the ark, and the singers.1. Pitched for it a tent] According to 1 Chronicles 16:39 the Mosaic tabernacle still existed, but the ark, since its capture by the Philistines, had not rested in it, and a new tent was now substituted to contain it. 4. The children of Aaron] i.e. the priests. 13. After the due order] It is implied “that the conveyance of the... read more
(3) And David gathered all Israel.—Comp. 2 Samuel 6:15 : “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark.” Samuel does not mention Jerusalem as the meeting-place. Of course, only a full representation of the people is signified. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 13:2; 1 Chronicles 13:5.)Unto his place.—The Ark’s. The neutral its is unknown to the Authorised version. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 15:1-24
Preparation is here made for the bringing of the ark home to the city of David from the house of Obed-edom. It is here owned that in the former attempt, though it was a very good work and in it they sought God, yet they sought him, not after the due order, 1 Chron. 15:13. ?We did not go about our work considerately; and therefore we sped so ill.? Note, It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well?not enough that we seek God in a due ordinance, but we must seek after... read more