1 Chronicles 15:15

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.

And the children {H1121} of the Levites {H3881} bare {H5375} the ark {H727} of God {H430} upon their shoulders {H3802} with the staves {H4133} thereon, as Moses {H4872} commanded {H6680} according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

and the L'vi'im carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles on it, as Moshe had ordered, according to what ADONAI had said.

And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

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 Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

First Chronicles 15:15 describes a pivotal moment in King David's reign: the second, successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This verse highlights the precise method used, contrasting sharply with the previous, tragic attempt detailed in 1 Chronicles 13. In that earlier effort, the Ark was transported on a new cart, leading to the death of Uzzah when he touched it (1 Chron. 13:9-10). This verse underscores David's realization that God's holy things must be handled according to His specific instructions, not human ingenuity or convenience. The Ark, representing God's presence, was central to Israel's worship and national identity.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to God's Commands: The primary theme is the absolute necessity of following God's explicit instructions. The phrase "as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD" is crucial, emphasizing that the method of bearing the Ark was divinely ordained, not an arbitrary rule.
  • Reverence and Holiness: The incident with Uzzah taught David and the nation a profound lesson about the Ark's holiness and the reverence required in approaching God. This verse shows a renewed respect for the sacred.
  • Learning from Mistakes: David's humility in correcting his error and ensuring the Ark was moved according to the Law demonstrates a willingness to learn and submit to God's authority, even after a costly failure.
  • The Role of the Levites: This verse reaffirms the unique and specific role of the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, in carrying the Ark and other sanctuary furnishings (Numbers 4:15). Their designated task was not merely ceremonial but deeply significant to the proper functioning of worship.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text states, "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." The emphasis on "shoulders" and "staves" (long poles) directly points to the detailed instructions given in the Pentateuch, specifically in Exodus 25:14 and Numbers 7:9. These passages clearly stipulate that the Ark was to be carried by means of poles inserted through rings on its sides, and these poles were to be carried on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites. The phrase "according to the word of the LORD" reinforces the divine origin and unchangeable nature of these commands, highlighting that God's prescribed methods for worship are not to be altered by human discretion.

Practical Application

The meticulous obedience shown in 1 Chronicles 15:15 holds timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that while God is gracious, He also expects us to approach Him and engage in worship on His terms, as revealed in His Word. This doesn't mean we must replicate Old Testament rituals, but it does emphasize the importance of:

  • Respecting God's Word: Understanding and adhering to biblical principles for life and worship. Just as David learned to consult the Law, we are called to let God's Word be a lamp unto our feet.
  • Learning from Errors: Acknowledging our mistakes and humbly turning back to God's way when we realize we have strayed. David's repentance and correction are a powerful example.
  • Intentional Worship: Approaching God with reverence and intentionality, understanding the holiness of His presence and the seriousness of our walk with Him. True worship is not just about sincerity but also about worshipping in spirit and in truth.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's commands are for our good and His glory, and true blessing comes through humble obedience to His revealed will.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 4:15

    And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Numbers 7:9

    But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that] they should bear upon their shoulders.

  • Exodus 25:12

    And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put [them] in the four corners thereof; and two rings [shall be] in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

  • Exodus 25:15

    The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

  • 1 Kings 8:8

    And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy [place] before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:9

    And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

  • Exodus 37:3

    And he cast for it four rings of gold, [to be set] by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.
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