1 Crônicas 15
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Crônicas 15
NJB (LXX versing) Plans to Move the Ark to Jerusalem The Ark Brought to Jerusalem The Ark Brought to Jerusalem Getting Ready to Move the Covenant Box Preparations for moving the Ark 15:1-10 15:1-15 15:1-10 15:1-10 15:1-2 15:3-10 15:11-15 15:11-15 15:11-13 15:11-15 15:14-15 15:16-24 15:16-24 15:16-24 15:16-21a 15:16-24 15:21b 15:22-24 Moving the Covenant Box to Jerusalem The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem 15:25-28 15:25-28 15:25-28 15:25-28 15:25-16:3 15:29 15:29 15:29 15:29 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS 1 Chronicles 13-16 forms a literary unit about the ark coming to Jerusalem. chapter 13, the desire and first failed attempt chapter 14, David settles into his new capital chapter 15, the ark is successfully brought to Jerusalem with appropriate ritual chapter 16, a Psalm of thanksgiving about its arrival 1 Chronicles 15:3 captures three of the four foci of the Chronicler. "all Israel," 1 Chr. 15:3,28 Jerusalem, David's new capital Jerusalem, the home of the ark (i.e., David prepared a tent) 1 Chronicles 15:4-24 captures the fourth foci—the priests and Levites are appointed and organized by David. The genealogical lists of 1 Chr. 15:4-10 and 16-24 seem to break into the narrative. Possibly they serve the meta-narrative of the Chronicler by providing Aaronic genealogical confirmation to the temple servants of his own post-exilic day (i.e., Ezra, Nehemiah). There is a merging of the activity of the priests and Levites on bringing the ark to Jerusalem the later activity of the priests and Levites in the ongoing service at the central shrine
1 Crônicas 15:1-10
15:1 "built houses" This could refer to many chambers or rooms in David's palace separate quarters for his wives and children other official buildings ▣ "the city of David" This city goes by several names. Originally the Israelites did not conquer the city of Jebus (cf. Jos. 15:63; Jdgs. 1:21), the citadel or stronghold. Later David conquered the fortified position (cf. 2 Sam. 5:8, i.e., "through the water tunnel"). SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM ▣ "a tent for it" Originally the portable tabernacle of the wilderness served as the dwelling place of the ark. By Samuel's day, the ark was still housed in a tent at Shiloh (cf. 1 Samuel 1). It is uncertain if David used (cf. 1 Chr. 16:1) the original curtains and coverings of Exodus (Exodus 25-27) the expanded tent at Shiloh constructed a new tent along the lines of Exodus 25-27 15:2 David learned his lesson (cf. 1 Chr. 13:9-11) about how to transport the ark (cf. 1 Chr. 15:13; Num. 1:51; 14:15,19,20). 15:3 "all Israel at Jerusalem" These are two of the major themes of the Chronicler (see note at 1 Chr. 14:3). "all Israel" Jerusalem ▣ "to bring up the ark" This is the focus of chapter 15. This VERB (BDB 748, KB 828) is repeated several times. Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, 1 Chr. 15:3,14,25 (cf. 13:6) Hiphil PERFECT with waw, 1 Chr. 15:12 Hiphil ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, 1 Chr. 15:28 ▣ "the ark of the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT and SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.
1 Crônicas 15:11-15
15:11 "Zadok and Abiathar the priests" During David's day there were two High Priests. Later Zadok supported Solomon but Abiathar (cf. 1 Sam. 22:20-23) supported Adonijah (cf. 1 Kgs. 1:7). Solomon exiled him and his descendants to their home city of Anathoth (cf. 1 Kgs. 2:26-27). Jeremiah was a descendant of Abiathar and Ezekiel a descendant of Zadok. 15:12 "consecrate yourselves" This VERB (BDB 872, KB 1073, Hithpael IMPERATIVE) is used often of several groups. all Israel at Sinai ‒ Exod. 19:14,15 (1) wash clothes (2) no sexual contact before Passover ‒ 2 Chr. 30:17; 31:18; 35:6 Levitical Law (1) food laws (Lev. 11:44) (2) no mediums or spiritists or fertility worship special provision of quail ‒ Num. 11:18 before crossing Jordan ‒ Jos. 3:5 mandate of Isaiah (1) food laws (2) no fertility worship Priests and Levites initial consecration (1) washings ‒ Exod. 29:4; 30:19-21 (2) anointing, Exod. 29:7 (3) special clothing, Exod. 29:5-9 (4) special sacrifice, Exod. 29:10-28 priest with proper attitudes ‒ 2 Chr. 5:11 take away unclean things ‒ 2 Chr. 29:5,34 for priest before offering sacrifices ‒ 2 Chr. 30:3,15 The text states "according to the word of the Lord." One would assume this refers to Exodus 19 or to unrecorded traditions. ▣ "to the place" Most English translations supply "the place" as an OBJECT to the INFINITIVE but the Targums and Vulgate supply "tent" (cf. 2 Sam. 6:17). The LXX just leaves the sentence awkward. 15:13 "an outburst" This VERB (BDB 829 I, KB 971, Qal PERFECT) is used several times to denote God's actions. God's judgment on Uzza touching the ark ‒ 1 Chr. 13:11 David's victory over the Philistines ‒ 1 Chr. 14:11 (cf. 2 Sam. 5:20) a reference to #1 ‒ 1 Chr. 15:13 This follows the usage in Exod. 19:22,24. It is used in Ps. 106:29 to describe the events of Num. 25:4 (the fertility worship by Israel at Baal-Peor). ▣ "ordinance" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 15:15 "as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord" This is a recurrent theme in Chronicles (cf. 2 Chr. 8:13; 23:18; 30:16; 35:6). The post-exilic community wanted to be faithful and reflect the Mosaic covenant. This assured them they were the restored covenant people, successors of the Patriarchal promises. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS
1 Crônicas 15:16-24
15:16 Several functions of Levites are: singers (1 Chr. 15:11,19,22) instrumentalists (1 Chr. 15:16,20,21,24) for transport for worship gatekeepers (1 Chr. 15:18,23,24) of the tent (shrine) of the ark (inner tent, holy place, Holy of Holies) 15:18 "of the second rank" This is the Hebrew term for "second" (BDB 1041). It could refer to a next important chariot to the king's chariot ‒ Gen. 41:43; 2 Chr. 35:24 a helper to the High Priest ‒ 2 Kgs. 23:4; 25:18; Jer. 52:24 a second in command to a king ‒ 1 Sam. 23:17; 2 Chr. 28:7; Esther 10:3 a helper or second in charge of Levites ‒ here; 1 Chr. 16:5; 2 Chr. 31:12; Neh. 11:17 ▣ "Obed-edom" One wonders if this is the person mentioned in 1 Chr. 13:13-14, where the ark was temporarily kept. 15:20 "to alamoth" This is from the same root as "young woman" in Isa. 7:14 (BDB 761). It may refer to female soprano voices. It is used four times in Psalms (i.e., Psalm 46 intro). 15:21 "the sheminith" This term (lit. "eighth," BDB 1033) seems to be the opposite of alamoth, possibly for male singers. It denotes "an octave" or "an eighth." It is also found in the introduction to Psalm 6 and 12. It could refer to an eight stringed lyre (see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 383). 15:22 "the singing" NKJV, NRSV, TEV, REB "the music" NJB, Targum "transport" "in song" "singers" Young's Literal "the burden" Rotherham's Emphasized "the service" It is obvious that the meaning of the term (lit. "lifting," BDB 672 II), used here and in 1 Chr. 15:27, is uncertain. KB 418 suggests "instructor." The idea of "burden" or "transport" comes from 1 Chr. 15:27, where it is mentioned that the Levites carry the ark. Another word for "singing/singers" (BDB 1010) is used twice. Notice how confused the NASB translation sounds.
1 Crônicas 15:25-28
15:26 The VERB "helping" (BDB 740, KB 810, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) implies that since the Levites were carrying the ark in an appropriate manner according to the law of Moses, they were not killed (like Uzza, cf. 2 Samuel 6). 15:27 "a robe of fine linen. . .an ephod of linen" This was the special fabric worn by priests (cf. Exod. 28:42; 39:28; Lev. 6:10). David is symbolically wearing an ephod (cf. 2 Sam. 6:14). In 2 Sam. 6:17 David is said to have even offered sacrifices (the very thing Saul got in trouble for with Samuel, cf. 1 Sam. 13:8-14). Possibly the priests offered them on his behalf. It is obvious that Samuel and Chronicles are attaching a "priestly" aspect to David. This may reflect the ANE concept of Priest-King. Melchizedek of Genesis 14 the Messiah in Psalm 110 Zechariah 3-4; 6:9-15 (Zerubbabel and Joshua share post-exilic leadership) the NT book of Hebrews (i.e., Jesus as High Priest of the new covenant) Notice how David is the one who gathered the sons of Aaron and the Levites, 1 Chr. 15:3 called Zadok and Abiathar as High Priests, 1 Chr. 15:11 appointed the Levites as transporters of the ark, 1 Chr. 15:12-14 appointed the singers and instrumentalists, as well as the gatekeepers, 1 Chr. 15:16-24 ▣ "an ephod of linen" See SPECIAL TOPIC: EPHOD. 15:28 "all Israel. . .the ark" See note at 1 Chr. 14:3. ▣ "with trumpets" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HORNS USED BY ISRAEL.
1 Crônicas 15:29
15:29 "Michal the daughter of Saul" This event is from 2 Samuel 6. David wanted to marry her to assure the unity of the tribes (i.e., Saul's daughter, cf. 1 Samuel 18-19). After this encounter, David cut off all contact with her, therefore, there could never be an heir to unify the tribes. God united the tribes, not by lineage but by His clearly expressed will.