1 Chronicles 14-16: Return of the Ark

Thoughts

Chronicles 14

Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers, cedar wood, masons, and carpenters to build David a house.

David took more wives in Jerusalem and had more sons and daughters. Sons born in Jerusalem included: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, Eliphelet.

When the Philistines heard David was anointed king, they came up to attack him. David inquired of God and God answered: “Go up, I will give them into your hand.”

David struck them down and said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” (Perez-baal  פֶּ֣רֶץ בַּ֑עַל = “Baal of breaking through”).

• In 2 Samuel 5:20, the place is called Baal-perazim (בַּ֣עַל פְּרָצִ֔ים),

The Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered them burned.

Later the Philistines raided again. This time God instructed David not to go directly but to circle around and wait near the balsam trees. When he heard marching in the tops of the trees, that was the signal that God had gone before him to strike the army.

Chronicles 15

David built houses in the City of David and prepared a tent for the ark of God. He assembled all Israel to bring the ark up to Jerusalem.

He gathered leaders:

• Kohathites: Uriel the chief, with 120 relatives.
• Merarites: Asaiah the chief, with 220 relatives.
• Gershomites: Joel the chief, with 130 relatives.
• Elizaphan’s descendants: Shemaiah the chief, with 200 relatives.
• Hebronites: Eliel the chief, with 80 relatives.
• Uzzielites: Amminadab the chief, with 112 relatives.
• Priests called: Zadok and Abiathar.

David told the Levites to consecrate themselves before carrying the ark. He admitted their earlier failure (chapter 13, when Uzzah died) was because they had not carried the ark “according to the rule.” This time, the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses commanded.

David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint singers and musicians with harps, lyres, and cymbals to raise sounds of joy.

• Heman son of Joel
• Asaph son of Berechiah
• Ethan son of Kushaiah

Second rank (with lyres):

• Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, Benaiah

Others (with harps tuned to alamoth):

• Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, Azaziah

Cymbal players:

• Chenaniah (chief of the Levites for music, skillful)
• Berechiah, Elkanah (gatekeepers for the ark)

Priests with trumpets before the ark:

• Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, Eliezer

Gatekeepers for the ark:

• Obed-edom, Jehiah

David, the elders, and captains brought up the ark with joy. God helped the Levites who carried the ark, and they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

As the ark entered the city, Michal saw David leaping and dancing and despised him in her heart. In 2 Samuel 6 she mentions being displeased with David wearing the linen ephod instead of his royal clothes.

Chronicles 16

They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent David had pitched.Burnt offerings and peace offerings were made before God.

Ministers before the ark:

• Asaph was chief.
• Second to him: Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel (played harps and lyres).
• Asaph played cymbals.
• Priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew trumpets regularly before the ark.

On this day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.

• The psalm (a compilation from Psalm 105, 96, 106) includes: Giving thanks, calling on His name, making His deeds known.

David left Asaph and his brothers ministering before the ark continually. Obed-edom and his 68 brothers were gatekeepers. Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew trumpets before the ark.

At the tabernacle in Gibeon:

• Zadok the priest and his fellow priests ministered before the Lord at the altar of burnt offering.
• They offered burnt offerings morning and evening, according to the Law.
• With them were Heman and Jeduthun, who had trumpets, cymbals, and instruments for sacred song.
• The sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers.

Questions

What was marching in the tops of the trees?

How did God help the Levites? (15:26)

Application

I love this quote from F. B. Meyer: “We do not talk sufficiently about God. Why it is so may not be easy to explain; but there seems to be too great reticence among Christian people about the best things…. We talk about sermons, details of worship and church organization, or the latest phase of Scripture criticism; we discuss men, methods, and churches; but our talk in the home, and in the gatherings of Christians for social purposes, is too seldom about the wonderful works of God. Better to speak less, and to talk more of Him.”

Today, so much of our conversation gets pulled into noise. We debate policies, personalities, church styles, or the latest 100 controversies. None of those things are inherently wrong to discuss, but if they dominate our speech, they can drown out the one thing that actually unites us: God Himself.

When is the last time we sat down with someone and just talked about the greatness of God? I honestly can’t remember a time I have done that. 

David shows us time and time again how to worship our Lord and dance in His greatness.