1 Chronicles 15:2

Translations

Modern

Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

Traditional

Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

Literal

Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but only the Levites. For YHWH has chosen them to carry the ark of YHWH and to minister before Him even to forever.”

Latin

Tunc dixit David: Illicitum est ut a quocumque portetur arca Dei nisi a Levitis, quos elegit Dominus ad portandum eam, et ad ministrandum sibi usque in æternum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

Notes

1 Chronicles 15:1–3

The first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13:1–14) failed due to improper procedure (see 15:13). This time, David prepared a place for the ark in Jerusalem and organized the Levites to carry it, as this was their responsibility (Deuteronomy 10:8; 18:5). The special tent David prepared for the ark was not the tabernacle, which was located at Gibeon at that time (see 1 Chronicles 16:39; 21:29).

1 Chronicles 15:1–29

David once more planned to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. This time, he prepared carefully to ensure success.

Theme notes and profiles

David Seeking the Lord

Related verses

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
Deuteronomy 31:9
So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
Numbers 18:1–8
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood.
Joshua 3:3
…and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.
Numbers 4:2–15
“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families,
Jeremiah 33:17–22
For this is what the LORD says: David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,
Numbers 8:13–14
You are to have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and then present them before the LORD as a wave offering.
Numbers 4:19–20
In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry.
Numbers 8:24–26
“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
Joshua 6:6
So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.”
Isaiah 66:21
“And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.
2 Chronicles 35:3
To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.

Parallels

2 Samuel 6:12–15

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Glossary

Amminadab Asaph Chronicles, Books of First and Second David Genealogy Kenaniah Merari, Merarite

Topics

Ark of the Covenant was Carried by Priests of Levites Alone Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Carried by Kohathites Levites: Carried the Ark of the Covenant Levites: Set Apart As Ministers of Religion The Levites: Chosen by God for Service of the Sanctuary

1 Chronicles 15:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?