Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 15:25

So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.

25 16:3 (= 2Sa 6:12-20). The Bringing Home of the Ark. Michal despises David

25, 26. So David, and the elders went And it came to pass that they etc.] Render, And it came to pass that David and the elders who went to bring up the ark , It came even to pass when the Lord helped the Levites that they (i.e. David and the elders) offered seven bullocks and seven rams. The phrase, it came to pass (1Ch 15:25) is repeated in 1Ch 15:26 because of the length of the parenthesis which separates it from the words, that they offered, which complete the construction. The awkwardness of the whole sentence arises from the fact that the Chronicler has filled out the briefer statement of 2Sa 6:13.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. So David, and the elders . . .and captains . . . wentThe pious design of David in orderingall his principal ministers and officers to take part in this solemnwork and imparting so much pomp and imposing ceremony to theprocession, was evidently to inspire the popular mind with a profoundveneration for the ark and to give the young especially salutaryimpressions of religion, which would be renewed by the remembrancethat they had been witnesses of the august solemnity in which theking and the highest aristocracy of the land participated, vying withall other classes to do honor to the God of Israel.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

So David and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands,…. He and the principal men of the nation, and the officers of the army or militia:

went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy; with all demonstrations of it; for which purpose such a band of music was prepared, as before described.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

narrate the further proceedings connected with the bring of the ark to Jerusalem; cf. 2Sa 6:12-19. By the words the account of the execution of the design is connected with the statements as to the preparations (vv. 2-24): “And so were David … who went to bring up the ark.”

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

      25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.   26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.   27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.   28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.   29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

      All things being got ready for the carrying of the ark to the city of David, and its reception there, we have here an account of the solemnity of this conveyance thither from the house of Obed-edom.

      I. God helped the Levites that carried it. The ark was no very great burden, that those who carried it needed any extraordinary help. But, 1. It is good to take notice of the assistance of the divine providence even in those things that fall within the compass of our natural powers: if God did not help us, we could not stir a step. 2. In all our religious exercises we must particularly derive help from heaven. See Acts xxvi. 22. All our sufficiency for holy duties is from God. 3. The Levites, remembering the breach upon Uzza, were probably ready to tremble when they took up the ark; but God helped them, that is, he encouraged them to it, silenced their fears, and strengthened their faith. 4. God helped them to do it decently and well, and without making any mistake. If we perform any religious duties so as to escape a breach, and come off with our lives, we must own it is God that helps us; for, if left to ourselves, we should be guilty of some fatal miscarriages. God’s ministers that bear the vessels of the Lord have special need of divine help in their ministrations, that God in them may be glorified and his church edified. And, if God help the Levites, the people have the benefit of it.

      II. When they experienced the tokens of God’s presence with them they offered sacrifices of praise to him, v. 26. This also he helped them to do. They offered these bullocks and rams perhaps by way of atonement for the former error, that it might not now be remembered against them, as well as by way of acknowledgment for the help now received.

      III. There were great expressions of rejoicing used: the sacred music was played, David danced, the singers sang, and the common people shouted, 1Ch 15:27; 1Ch 15:28. This we had before, 2Sa 6:14; 2Sa 6:15. Learn hence, 1. That we serve a good master, who delights to have his servants sing at their work. 2. That times of public reformation are, and should be, times of public rejoicing. Those are unworthy of the ark that are not glad of it. 3. It is not any disparagement to the greatest of men to show themselves zealous in the acts of devotion. Michal indeed despised David (v. 29); but her despising him did not make him at all despicable; he did not regard it himself, nor did any that were wise and good (and why should we covet the esteem of any but such?) think the worse of him.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

(25) SO David, and the elders of Israel.Literally, And it was David and the elders of Israel and princes of the thousands who were walking to bring up the Ark, &c. The preparations for the ceremony are now complete, and the procession starts. A slight change in the Hebrew (omission of the article; so Syriac and one MS. of LXX.) will improve the sense: And it came to pass, David and the elders . . . were walking to bring up the Ark.

To bring up the ark.Into the city of David (Samuel).

The ark of the covenant of the Lord.A special title of the Ark, which has not occurred before in this history. It is not read in the parallel passage of Samuel, where we find only ark of God, and ark of Jehovah. The phrase may therefore indicate that the chronicler had another source besides that book. (Comp. Jos. 3:3; Jos. 3:17.) The parallel (2Sa. 6:12) makes no mention of the elders and captains, but merely states in brief and somewhat abrupt fashion that David went and brought up the Ark, because he had heard of its bringing a blessing upon the house of Obed-edom.

With joy.With set rejoicings and festal mirth.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

The Removal Effected

v. 25. So David and the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, all the foremost men of the kingdom, went to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. The pomp and solemnity of the occasion, together with its evident joyous aspect, were bound to make a deep impression on the minds of all who participated and thus fill them with veneration for the ark and all it stood for.

v. 26. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, so that they did not share the fate of Uzza, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. Cf 2Sa 6:13.

v. 27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, with a white ephod of fine byssus such as the priests wore, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah, the master of the song, with the singers, he who directed the bearing of the ark. David also had upon him an ephod of linen, as the king of a priestly people.

v. 28. Thus all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps, all the various instruments being pressed into service upon this momentous occasion.

v. 29. And it came to pass, as the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, the upper city of Jerusalem, that Michal, the daughter of Saul, the wife of David, looking out at a window, saw King David dancing, in a slow and solemn individual dance, and playing; and she despised him in her heart, thinking that his behavior could not be reconciled with the dignity ordinarily shown by kings. This showed the smallness of her soul; it was punished by the Lord accordingly, 2Sa 6:16. The true children of God sing and play to the Lord both in their hearts and in their anthems, being one heart and one soul, and are therefore not dissuaded by the mockery of the world.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

1Ch 15:25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.

Ver. 25. With joy. ] All God’s services must be performed with joy, or else they lose their lustre.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

the elders. As representing “all Israel” (2Sa 6:15).

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

1Ch 15:25-28

1Ch 15:25-28

THE ARK ENTERS JERUSALEM

“So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, that they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with psalteries and harps.”

E.M. Zerr:

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

David: 2Sa 6:12, 2Sa 6:13-23, 1Ki 8:1

captains: Num 31:14, Deu 1:15, 1Sa 8:12, 1Sa 10:19, 1Sa 22:7, Mic 5:2

Obededom: 1Ch 13:14

with joy: 1Ch 13:11, 1Ch 13:12, Deu 12:7, Deu 12:18, Deu 16:11, Deu 16:15, 2Ch 20:27, 2Ch 20:28, Ezr 6:16, Psa 95:1, Psa 95:2, Psa 100:1, Psa 100:2, Phi 3:3, Phi 4:4

Reciprocal: 2Sa 6:15 – with shouting 2Ch 1:4 – the ark Psa 24:3 – the hill Pro 28:12 – righteous Act 13:36 – served

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge