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1 Chronicles 15:2 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."
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The LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to serve him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God except the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to serve Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for Yahweh chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_chronicles/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God except the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_chronicles/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath Jehovah chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_chronicles/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He said, "Only Levites will be allowed to carry the chest, because the LORD has chosen them to do that work and to serve him forever." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_chronicles/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then David insisted that only the Levites carry God's ark because the LORD had chosen them to carry his ark and to serve him forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he said, "Only Levites should carry the Covenant Box, because they are the ones the LORD chose to carry it and to serve him forever." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_chronicles/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David ordered that the Ark of God was to be carried by no one except the descendants of Levi, because the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to serve him forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_chronicles/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then David said, "Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to serve before him perpetually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then David said, "No one ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites. For the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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 to him for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_chronicles/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then David said, “No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry God’s ark, and to minister to him forever.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David said, “None [are] to carry the Ark of God, except the Levites, for YHWH has fixed on them to carry the Ark of God and to serve Him for all time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Then said David, 'None are to carry the ark of God, except the Levites, for on them hath Jehovah fixed to carry the ark of God, and to serve Him -- unto the age.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_chronicles/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then David said, None to lift up the ark of God but the Levites: for in them God chose to lift up the ark of God, and to serve him even to forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then David said: No one ought to carry the ark of God, but the Levites, whom the Lord hath chosen to carry it, and to minister unto himself for ever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then David said: “It is illicit for anyone to carry the ark of God except the Levites, whom the Lord chose to carry it and to minister to himself, even unto eternity.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />At that time he said, “No one may carry the ark of God except the Levites, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David commanded that no one but the Levites were to carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then David commanded the Levites to carry the ark of the LORD and the instruments of the tabernacle; for the Levites the LORD had chosen to minister and to carry the ark of the LORD, and to look after it for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Then David was telling the Levites to pick up the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH and the articles of the Tabernacle, because LORD JEHOVAH chose the Levites to serve and to carry the ark of LORD JEHOVAH and for his service for eternity.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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 the LORD, and to minister unto Him for ever.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_chronicles/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Then said David, It is not <i>lawful for any</i> to bear the ark of God, but the Levites; for the Lord has chosen them to bear the ark of the Lord, and to minister to him for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=4325" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/15.htm">Preparations to Move the Ark</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wîḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“No</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">one but</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">the Levites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: lā·śêṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">may carry</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇām (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: bā·ḥar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">has chosen them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: lā·śêṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">to carry</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: ū·lə·šā·rə·ṯōw (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3ms) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">and to minister</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">before Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">forever.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a></span><br />When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/13-9.htm">1 Chronicles 13:9-10</a></span><br />When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">2 Samuel 6:6-7</a></span><br />When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-31.htm">1 Chronicles 6:31-32</a></span><br />These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-26.htm">1 Chronicles 23:26</a></span><br />So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm">1 Chronicles 16:4-6</a></span><br />David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/16-37.htm">1 Chronicles 16:37-42</a></span><br />So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, / along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers. / And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/26-12.htm">1 Chronicles 26:12-19</a></span><br />These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did. / They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. / The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-14.htm">2 Chronicles 8:14</a></span><br />In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-25.htm">2 Chronicles 29:25</a></span><br />Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-3.htm">2 Chronicles 35:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a></span><br />containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-14</a></span><br />Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">Hebrews 5:1-4</a></span><br />Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them has the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him for ever.</p><p class="hdg">them hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/4-2.htm">Numbers 4:2-15,19,20</a></b></br> Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/7-9.htm">Numbers 7:9</a></b></br> But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them <i>was that</i> they should bear upon their shoulders.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a></b></br> At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.</p><p class="hdg">to minister</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/8-13.htm">Numbers 8:13,14,24-26</a></b></br> And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them <i>for</i> an offering unto the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-1.htm">Numbers 18:1-8</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/66-21.htm">Isaiah 66:21</a></b></br> And I will also take of them for priests <i>and</i> for Levites, saith the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/5-27.htm">Age</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-1.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-9.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-27.htm">Chose</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-22.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-18.htm">Except</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-2.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-21.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-14.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-7.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-32.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-24.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-33.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/16-15.htm">Age</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-3.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-13.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-10.htm">Chose</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-13.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-3.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-6.htm">Except</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-11.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-4.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-22.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-30.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-5.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-19.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-37.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-1.htm">David having prepared a place for the ark,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-15.htm">the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-25.htm">He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-29.htm">Michal despises him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then David said,</b><br>David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Old Testament. His leadership and devotion to God are well-documented, and he is often seen as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the coming Messiah. This statement occurs during a pivotal moment when David is preparing to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious center of Israel.<p><b>“No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God,</b><br>The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious duties. According to the Law given to Moses, only the Levites were permitted to handle the sacred objects of the tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant (<a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a>). This command underscores the importance of adhering to God's instructions and the sanctity of the Ark, which symbolized God's presence among His people.<p><b>because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD</b><br>This phrase highlights the divine selection of the Levites for this sacred task. God's choice of the Levites is rooted in their role as mediators between God and Israel, emphasizing the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. This selection is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His right to choose those who serve Him.<p><b>and to minister before Him forever.”</b><br>The Levites' role was not only to carry the Ark but also to serve in the tabernacle and later the temple, performing sacrifices and leading worship. This perpetual ministry points to the eternal nature of God's covenant with His people. It also foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, who ministers before God on behalf of humanity, as described in the book of Hebrews.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel who sought to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He recognized the importance of following God's specific instructions regarding the Ark.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/levites.htm">Levites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties. They were chosen by God to carry the Ark and minister before Him, highlighting their unique role in Israelite worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_covenant.htm">Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It symbolized God's presence with His people and required careful handling according to divine instructions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where David intended to bring the Ark, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His authority and the importance of obedience to His commands.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>God's instructions are specific and must be followed precisely. David's recognition of the Levites' role underscores the importance of obedience in worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_levites.htm">The Role of the Levites</a></b><br>The Levites were chosen for a unique purpose, reminding us that God assigns specific roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_presence.htm">Reverence for God's Presence</a></b><br>The Ark symbolized God's presence, and its handling required reverence. We must approach God with respect and honor in our worship and daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>David's leadership in correcting the previous mishandling of the Ark shows the importance of leaders adhering to God's Word and guiding others in righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></b><br>The selection of the Levites highlights God's sovereign choice in appointing individuals for His purposes, encouraging us to trust His wisdom in our own callings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_non-levites_handle_the_ark.htm">In 1 Chronicles 15:2, where David insists only the Levites may carry the Ark, how do we reconcile this claim with any instances where non-Levites handled it or transported it in other texts? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_52_11_conflict_with_ot_laws.htm">Could Isaiah 52:11’s exhortation for ritual purity conflict with other Old Testament laws that detail different cleansing practices? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/priests_vs._levites__role_differences.htm">How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_kill_uzza_for_touching_the_ark.htm">(1 Chronicles 13:9) Why would God strike Uzza dead for touching the Ark if he was only trying to steady it? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Then.</span>--This word is here a real note of time. It seems to denote the end of the three months' interval mentioned in <a href="/1_chronicles/13-14.htm" title="And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.">1Chronicles 13:14</a>.<p><span class= "bld">None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites.</span>--See <a href="/context/numbers/4-5.htm" title="And when the camp sets forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it:">Numbers 4:5-15</a>, where the Kohathite Levites are appointed to carry the Ark and other sacred objects; and the more definite <a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm" title="At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.">Deuteronomy 10:8</a> : "At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day." David's enunciation of the law is a tacit acknowledgment that on the former occasion (<a href="/context/1_chronicles/13-7.htm" title="And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.">1Chronicles 13:7-10</a>) it had not been observed. That the Ark was now duly carried by bearers is expressly stated in the older account (<a href="/2_samuel/6-13.htm" title="And it was so, that when they that bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatted calves.">2Samuel 6:13</a>), though their being Levites is not noticed. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - This verse together with vers. 12-15 show that the severe lesson of the destruction of Uzzah had been laid to heart, and had made David supremely anxious to take better counsel of the Law. Uzzah, though possibly the son of a Levite, more probably of a Hivite (<a href="/joshua/9-7.htm">Joshua 9:7, 17</a>), was not a priest, nor is there any sufficient evidence that he was a Levite; and most distinct was the order of the Law (<a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Numbers 1:51-53</a>; <a href="/numbers/3-29.htm">Numbers 3:29-32</a>; 4:15420), that "when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." So the sons of Kohath are to come to bear the sanctuary with all its sacred vessels, "but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die." Many things were allowed to be carried on waggons under the charge of the Gershonites and Merarites, but the strict contents of the sanctuary were to be borne in a specified manner by the Kohathites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֚ז</span> <span class="translit">(’āz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> </span><span class="str2">At that time, place, therefore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֔יד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“No</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one but</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levites</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may carry</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשֵׂאת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lā·śêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has chosen</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּחַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them to carry</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשֵׂ֞את</span> <span class="translit">(lā·śêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֧וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and to minister</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽלְשָׁרְת֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šā·rə·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> </span><span class="str2">To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before Him</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forever.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹלָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:2 Then David said None ought to carry (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 15:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 15:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 15:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 15:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>