I Chronicles 15
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Commentaries
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Made him houses - One for himself, and one for the ark; in the latter was a tent, under which the ark was placed.
Open source ↗DAVID BRINGS THE ARK FROM OBEDEDOM. (1Ch. 15:1-24) David made him houses in the city of David--Through the liberality of his Tyrian ally (Ch1 14:1), David was enabled to erect not only a palace for himself, but to furnish suitable accommodation for his numerous family. Where polygamy prevails, each wife has a separate house or suite of apartments for herself and children. prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent--that is, made an entirely new one upon the model of the former. The old tabernacle, which Moses had constructed in the wilderness and which had hitherto served the purpose of a sacred covering, was to be left at Gibeon, either because of the unwillingness of the inhabitants to part with such a venerable relic, or because there was no use for it in Jerusalem, where a more solid and sumptuous edifice was contemplated. If it appear surprising that David "made him houses" before he prepared this new tabernacle, it should be remembered that he had received no divine intimation respecting such a work.
Open source ↗And David made him houses in the city of David,.... With the help of the masons and carpenters Hiram sent him, Ch1 14:1, the royal palace is meant, with all the apartments in it, which were many and large, as so great a family he had required, and with all the out houses to it necessary for his servants, and their offices: and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent; see Sa2 6:17.
Open source ↗And David made him houses in the city of David,.... With the help of the masons and carpenters Hiram sent him, Ch1 14:1, the royal palace is meant, with all the apartments in it, which were many and large, as so great a family he had required, and with all the out houses to it necessary for his servants, and their offices: and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent; see Sa2 6:17.
Open source ↗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, Ch1 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 (Ch1 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, Ch1 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 thos…
Open source ↗15:1-29 Again, David set out to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. This time he made thorough preparations to ensure that the transfer would succeed. 15:1-3 The first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (13:1-14) failed because of improper procedure (see 15:13). This time, David prepared a place for the Ark in Jerusalem and organized Levites . . . to carry the Ark because this was their responsibility (Deut 10:8; 18:5). The special tent that David prepared for the Ark was not the Tabernacle, which was located at Gibeon at the time (see 1 Chr 16:39; 21:29).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קְהָת (Qᵉhâth, H6955) — Kehath, an Israelite אוּרִיאֵל (ʼÛwrîyʼêl, H222) — Uriel, the name of two Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְרָרִי (Mᵉrârîy, H4847) — Merari, an Israelite עֲשָׂיָה (ʻĂsâyâh, H6222) — Asajah, the name of three or four Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גֵּרְשֹׁם (Gêrᵉshôm, H1647) — Gereshom, the name of four Israelites יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֱלִיצָפָן (ʼĔlîytsâphân, H469) — Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan, an Israelite שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites אֱלִיאֵל (ʼĔlîyʼêl, H447) — Eliel, the name of nine Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שְׁמֹנִים (shᵉmônîym, H8084) — eighty, also eightieth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֻזִּיאֵל (ʻUzzîyʼêl, H5816) — Uzziel, the name of six Israelites עַמִּינָדָב (ʻAmmîynâdâb, H5992) — Amminadab, the name of four Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… צָדוֹק (Tsâdôwq, H6659) — Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites אֶבְיָתָר (ʼEbyâthâr, H54) — Ebjathar, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi אוּרִיאֵל (ʼÛwrîyʼêl, H222) — Uriel, the name of two Israelites עֲשָׂיָה (ʻĂsâyâh, H6222) — Asajah, the name of three or four Israelites יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites אֱלִיאֵל (ʼĔlîyʼêl, H447) — Eliel, the name of nine Israelites עַמִּינָדָב (ʻAmmîynâdâb, H5992) — Amminadab, the name of four Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward.
But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the king.