I Chronicles 15:15
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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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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. Not only bare it on their shoulders, but with the staves in it, which rested on their shoulders, see Num 7:9, the reason of this command, that the ark should be carried on men's shoulders, and not in any carriage, according to Maimonides (h), was both for the honour of it, and lest its form and structure should be any ways damaged. (h) Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 45. p. 479.
Open source ↗The bringing in of the ark to the city of David was a very good work; it was resolved upon (Ch1 13:4), and attempted, but not perfected; it lay by the way in the house of Obed-edom. Now this chapter gives us an account of the completing of that good work. I. How it was done more regularly than before. 1. A place was prepared for it (Ch1 15:1). 2. The priests were ordered to carry it (Ch1 15:2-15). 3. The Levites had their offices assigned them in attending on it (Ch1 15:16-24). II. How it was done more successfully than before (Ch1 15:25). 1. The Levites made no mistake in their work (Ch1 15:26). 2. David and the people met with no damp upon their joy (Ch1 15:27, Ch1 15:28). As for Michal's despising David, it was nothing (Ch1 15:29).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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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.
But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.
The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.
The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.
Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark.