And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests ,.... See 2 Samuel 8:17 . and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab ; the six chiefs before mentioned. read more
And he said unto them, ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites ,.... Of the families of the Levites, heads of their fathers' houses: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren ; respectively under each, whose numbers are before given, by washing their bodies and clothes, and abstaining from their wives: that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it ; 2 Samuel 6:17 . read more
For because ye did it not at the first ,.... Did not sanctify themselves, as the supplement in our version directs; but rather the sense is, ye were not there at first, when the ark was brought from Kirjathjearim as far as the house of Obededom, as they should have been; they were not then employed, as was their business, and therefore the Lord our God made a breach upon us ; by smiting Uzzah with death, who was no Levite, and touched the ark, which is called his "error", and for which... read more
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves ,.... As they were ordered, and in the manner they should: to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel ; for though it was chiefly the work of the Levites, yet the priests might do it, and sometimes did, see Joshua 3:13 . read more
And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders, with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded, according to the word of the Lord. Not only bare it on their shoulders, but with the staves in it, which rested on their shoulders, see Numbers 7:9 , the reason of this command, that the ark should be carried on men's shoulders, and not in any carriage, according to Maimonides F8 Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 45. p. 479. , was both for the honour of it, and lest its... read more
Upon their shoulders - That is the staves which went through the rings rested on their shoulders, but the ark itself rested on the staves like a sedan on its poles. As Moses commanded - See Numbers 4:5 , Numbers 4:15 . 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
This classification of the children of Aaron , as the special priests, and of the Levites , is constantly observed ( 1 Chronicles 12:26 , 1 Chronicles 12:27 ; 1 Chronicles 27:17 ). The mention of the six representative Levitical families follows. That of Kohath ( 1 Chronicles 15:5 ) takes the lead, because, though second in order of birth ( Genesis 46:11 ; Exodus 6:16-19 ; 1 Chronicles 6:1-30 ), its priestly importance gave it always first rank. To the same head belonged... read more
Sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren . Nothing of the appointed observances of the Law are to be omitted this time, as in the haste and want of premeditation of the former occasion ( Exodus 19:22 ; Exodus 28:41 ; Exodus 40:13 ; Le Exodus 8:12 ; Exodus 20:7 ; Exodus 21:8 ; 2 Chronicles 5:11 ; 2 Chronicles 29:15 ). These "sanctifyings" consisted of different observances, according to the person and the occasion, but largely of ablutions of the body, washing of the... 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