1Když si vystavěl paláce ve Městě Davidově, připravil místo i pro Boží truhlu a vztyčil pro ni stan. 2Tentokrát David přikázal: „Boží truhlu nesmí nést nikdo kromě levitů, neboť je Hospodin vyvolil, aby nosili Truhlu Hospodinovu a sloužili mu navěky.“ 3Potom David shromáždil celý Izrael do Jeruzaléma, aby Hospodinovu truhlu přenesli na místo, které pro ni připravil. 4Shromáždil syny Áronovy a levity: 5Ze synů Kehatových vůdce Uriel a 120 jeho bratrů. 6Ze synů Merariho vůdce Asajáš a 220 jeho bratrů. 7Ze synů Geršomových vůdce Joel a 130 jeho bratrů. 8Ze synů Elicafanových vůdce Šemajáš a 200 jeho bratrů. 9Ze synů Hebronových vůdce Eliel a 80 jeho bratrů. 10Ze synů Uzielových vůdce Aminadab a 112 jeho bratrů. 11David povolal kněží Sádoka a Abiatara a také levity Uriela, Asajáše, Joela, Šemajáše, Eliela i Aminadaba. 12„Vy jste vůdcové levitských otcovských rodů,“ řekl jim. „Posvěťte sebe i své bratry a přenesete Truhlu Hospodina, Boha Izraele, na místo, které jsem pro ni připravil. 13Hospodin, náš Bůh, se na nás prve obořil, protože jste ji nenesli vy. Nehledali jsme totiž jeho vůli, jak náleží.“ 14Kněží a levité se tedy posvětili, aby přenesli Truhlu Hospodina, Boha Izraele. 15Synové Leviho pak nesli Boží truhlu tak, jak přikázal Mojžíš slovem Hospodinovým: pomocí tyčí na vlastních ramenou. 16David také řekl levitským vůdcům, ať ustanoví své bratry zpěváky, kteří by hlasitě a radostně zpívali za doprovodu hudebních nástrojů, citer, lyr a činelů. 17Levité tedy ustanovili Hemana, syna Joelova, a z jeho bratrů Asafa, syna Berechiášova, a z jejich bratrů, synů Merariho, Etana, syna Kušajášova, 18a spolu s nimi jejich bratry, aby stáli za nimi: Zachariáše, Jaaziela, Šemiramota, Jechiela, Uniho, Eliaba, Benajáše, Maasejáše, Matitiáše, Elifleáše, Miknejáše, Obed-edoma a Jehiela, strážné. 19Zpěváci Heman, Asaf a Etan měli hrát na bronzové činely, 20Zachariáš, Jaaziel, Šemiramot, Jechiel, Uni, Eliab, Maasejáš a Benajáš vysokým hlasem na citery, 21zatímco Matitiáš, Elifleáš, Mikneáš, Obed-edom, Jehiel i Azaziáš měli udávat rytmus hlubokým hlasem na lyry. 22Levitský vedoucí Kenaniáš byl pro své znalosti vybrán jako sbormistr. 23Berechiáš a Elkána byli stráže u Truhly. 24Kněží Šebaniáš, Jošafat, Natanael, Amasaj, Zachariáš, Benajáš a Eliezer troubili před Boží truhlou na trubky. Také Obed-edom a Jechiáš byli stráže u Truhly. 25Potom David, izraelští stařešinové a velitelé tisíců radostně vykročili, aby nechali přenést Truhlu Hospodinovy smlouvy z Obed-edomova domu. 26Levitům nesoucím Truhlu Hospodinovy smlouvy tehdy pomáhal Bůh; proto obětovali sedm býčků a sedm beranů. 27David byl oblečen kmentovým pláštěm stejně jako všichni levité nesoucí Truhlu, zpěváci a sbormistr Kenaniáš. David měl na sobě také plátěný efod. 28Celý Izrael doprovázel Truhlu Hospodinovy smlouvy s jásotem, za zvuku beraního rohu a trubek, za zvuku činelů, lyr a citer. 29Když Truhla Hospodinovy smlouvy vcházela do Města Davidova, Saulova dcera Míkal se dívala z okna. Viděla, jak král David poskakuje a křepčí, a ve svém srdci jím pohrdla.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Preparation is here made for the bringing of the ark home to the city of David from the house of Obed-edom. It is here owned that in the former attempt, though it was a very good work and in it they
sought God, yet they
sought him, not after the due order, 1Chr 15:13. We did not go about our work considerately; and therefore we sped so ill. Note, It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well - not enough that we seek God in a due ordinance, but we must seek after him, in a due order. Note, also, When we have suffered for our irregularities we must learn thereby to be more regular; then we answer the end of chastisement. Let us see how the matter was mended. 1. David now prepared a place for the reception of the ark, before he brought it to him; and thus he sought in the due order. He had not time to
build a house, but he
pitched a tent for it (
1Chr 15:1), probably according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount, or as near it as might be, of curtains and boards. Observe, When he made houses for himself in the city of David he prepared a place for the ark. Note, Wherever we build for ourselves, we must be sure to make room for God's ark, for a church in the house. 2. David now ordered that the Levites or priests should carry the ark upon their shoulders. Now he bethought himself of that which he could not but know before, that,
none ought to carry the ark but the Levites, 1Chr 15:2. The Kohathites carried it in their ordinary marches, and therefore had no wagons allotted them, because their work was to
bear upon their shoulders, Num 7:9. But upon extraordinary occasions, as when they passed Jordan and compassed Jericho, the priests carried it. This rule was express, and yet David himself forgot it, and put the ark upon a cart. Note, Even those that are very knowing in the word of God, yet have it not always so ready to them as were to be wished when they have occasion to use it. Wise and good men may be guilty of an oversight, which, as soon as they are aware of, they will correct. David did not go about to justify what had been done amiss, nor to lay the blame on others, but owned himself guilty, with others, of not seeking God in a due order, and now took care not only to summon the Levites to the solemnity, as he did all Israel (
1Chr 15:3), and had done before (
1Chr 13:2), but to see that they assembled (
1Chr 15:4), especially the sons of Aaron,
1Chr 15:11. To them he gives the solemn charge (
1Chr 15:12):
You are the chief of the fathers of the Levites, therefore do you
bring up the ark of the Lord. It is expected that those who are advanced above others in dignity should go before others in duty. You are the chief, and therefore more is expected from you than from others, both by way of service yourselves and influence on the rest. You did it not at first, neither did your duty yourselves nor took care to instruct us, and we smarted for it:
The Lord made a breach upon us; we have all smarted for your neglect;
this has been by your means (see
Mal 1:9): therefore
sanctify yourselves, and mind your business. When those that have suffered for doing ill thus learn to do better the correction is well bestowed. 3. The Levites and priests sanctified themselves (
1Chr 15:14) and were ready to carry the ark on their shoulders, according to the law,
1Chr 15:15. Note, Many that are very remiss in their duty, if they were but faithfully told of it, would reform and do better. The breach upon Uzza made the priests more careful to sanctify themselves, that is, to cleanse themselves from all ceremonial pollution and to compose themselves for the solemn service of God, so as to strike a reverence upon the people. Some are made examples, that others may be made exemplary and very cautious. 4. Officers were appointed to be ready to bid the ark welcome, with every possible expression of joy,
1Chr 15:16. David ordered the chief of the Levites to nominate those that they knew to be proficients for this service. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were now first appointed,
1Chr 15:17. They undertook to sound with symbols (
1Chr 15:19), others with psalteries (
1Chr 15:20), others with harps, on the
Sheminith, or
eighth, eight notes higher or lower than the rest, according to the rules of the concert,
1Chr 15:21. Some that were priests blew with the trumpet (
1Chr 15:24), as was usual at the removal of the ark (
Num 10:8) and at solemn feasts,
Pss 81:3. And one was appointed for song (
1Chr 15:22), for he was skilful in it, could sing well himself and instruct others. Note, As every man has
received the gift, so he ought to
minister the same, 1Pet 4:10. And those that excel in any endowment should not only use it for the common good themselves, but teach others also, and not grudge to make others as wise as themselves. This way of praising God by musical instruments had not hitherto been in use. But David, being a prophet, instituted it by divine direction, and added it to the other
carnal ordinances of that dispensation, as the apostle calls them,
Hebre 9:10. The New Testament keeps up singing of psalms, but has not appointed church-music. Some were appointed to be porters (
1Chr 15:18), others door-keepers for the ark (
1Chr 15:23,
1Chr 15:24), and one of these was Obed-edom, who reckoned it no doubt a place of honour, and accepted it as recompence for the entertainment he had given to the ark. He had been for three months housekeeper to the ark, and indeed its landlord. But, when he might not be so any longer, such an affection had he for it that he was glad to be its door-keeper.
25 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 26:22. 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,
1Chr 15:26. 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,
1Chr 15:27,
1Chr 15:28. This we had before,
2Sam 6:14,
2Sam 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 (
1Chr 15:29); 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.
