The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(A)

15 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared(B) a place for the ark of God and pitched(C) a tent for it. Then David said, “No one but the Levites(D) may carry(E) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister(F) before him forever.”

David assembled all Israel(G) in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:(H)

From the descendants of Kohath,

Uriel(I) the leader and 120 relatives;

from the descendants of Merari,

Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;

from the descendants of Gershon,[a]

Joel the leader and 130 relatives;

from the descendants of Elizaphan,(J)

Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;

from the descendants of Hebron,(K)

Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;

10 from the descendants of Uzziel,

Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.

11 Then David summoned Zadok(L) and Abiathar(M) the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate(N) yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites,(O) did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us.(P) We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.(Q) 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded(R) in accordance with the word of the Lord.(S)

16 David(T) told the leaders of the Levites(U) to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians(V) to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.(W)

17 So the Levites appointed Heman(X) son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph(Y) son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites,(Z) Ethan son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah,[b] Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom(AA) and Jeiel,[c] the gatekeepers.

19 The musicians Heman,(AB) Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel,[d] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth,[e] 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith.[f] 22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

23 Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets(AC) before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark(AD) of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams(AE) were sacrificed. 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.(AF) 28 So all Israel(AG) brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts,(AH) with the sounding of rams’ horns(AI) and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

Ministering Before the Ark(AJ)(AK)(AL)

16 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched(AM) for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed(AN) the people in the name of the Lord. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins(AO) to each Israelite man and woman.

He appointed some of the Levites to minister(AP) before the ark of the Lord, to extol,[g] thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel,[h] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise(AQ) to the Lord in this manner:

Give praise(AR) to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations(AS) what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise(AT) to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;(AU)
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek(AV) his face always.

12 Remember(AW) the wonders(AX) he has done,
    his miracles,(AY) and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments(AZ) are in all the earth.

15 He remembers[i](BA) his covenant forever,
    the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant(BB) he made with Abraham,
    the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob(BC) as a decree,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan(BD)
    as the portion you will inherit.”

19 When they were but few in number,(BE)
    few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[j] wandered(BF) from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:(BG)
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
    do my prophets(BH) no harm.”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory(BI) among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(BJ)
    he is to be feared(BK) above all gods.(BL)
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.(BM)
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.(BN)
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;(BO)
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[k] holiness.(BP)
30     Tremble(BQ) before him, all the earth!
    The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.(BR)

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;(BS)
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!(BT)
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;(BU)
    let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees(BV) of the forest sing,
    let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge(BW) the earth.

34 Give thanks(BX) to the Lord, for he is good;(BY)
    his love endures forever.(BZ)
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;(CA)
    gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
    and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(CB)
    from everlasting to everlasting.

Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.(CC) 38 He also left Obed-Edom(CD) and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah,(CE) were gatekeepers.

39 David left Zadok(CF) the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon(CG) 40 to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law(CH) of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman(CI) and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song.(CJ) The sons of Jeduthun(CK) were stationed at the gate.

43 Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

God’s Promise to David(CL)

17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.(CM)

Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind,(CN) do it, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You(CO) are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders[l] whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?(CP)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler(CQ) over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders(CR) over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.

“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build(CS) a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.(CT) 13 I will be his father,(CU) and he will be my son.(CV) I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne(CW) will be established forever.(CX)’”

15 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

David’s Prayer(CY)

16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake(CZ) of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.(DA)

20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you,(DB) as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem(DC) a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever,(DD) and you, Lord, have become their God.

23 “And now, Lord, let the promise(DE) you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26 You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight;(DF) for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 15:7 Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon
  2. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Three Hebrew manuscripts and most Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 20 and 16:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Zechariah son and or Zechariah, Ben and
  3. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Hebrew; Septuagint (see also verse 21) Jeiel and Azaziah
  4. 1 Chronicles 15:20 See verse 18; Hebrew Aziel, a variant of Jaaziel.
  5. 1 Chronicles 15:20 Probably a musical term
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:21 Probably a musical term
  7. 1 Chronicles 16:4 Or petition; or invoke
  8. 1 Chronicles 16:5 See 15:18,20; Hebrew Jeiel, possibly another name for Jaaziel.
  9. 1 Chronicles 16:15 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Psalm 105:8); Hebrew Remember
  10. 1 Chronicles 16:20 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint and Vulgate (see also Psalm 105:12); most Hebrew manuscripts inherit, / 19 though you are but few in number, / few indeed, and strangers in it.” / 20 They
  11. 1 Chronicles 16:29 Or Lord with the splendor of
  12. 1 Chronicles 17:6 Traditionally judges; also in verse 10

The Box of the Agreement in Jerusalem

15 David built houses for himself in the City of David. Then he built a place to put God’s Holy Box. He set up a tent for it. Then he said, “Only the Levites are permitted to carry God’s Holy Box. The Lord chose them to carry it and to serve him forever.”

David told all the Israelites to meet together at Jerusalem to see the Lord’s Holy Box carried to the place he had made for it. He called together these descendants of Aaron and the Levites:

There were 120 people from the tribe of Kohath. Uriel was their leader.

There were 220 people from the tribe of Merari. Asaiah was their leader.

There were 130 people from the tribe of Gershon. Joel was their leader.

There were 200 people from the tribe of Elizaphan. Shemaiah was their leader.

There were 80 people from the tribe of Hebron. Eliel was their leader.

10 There were 112 people from the tribe of Uzziel. Amminadab was their leader.

David Talks to the Priests and Levites

11 Then David asked the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, to come to him. David also asked these Levites to come to him: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 David said to them, “You are the leaders from the tribe of Levi. You and the other Levites must make yourselves holy.[a] Then bring the Holy Box of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have made for it. 13 The first time we tried to bring it, we failed to ask the Lord about the right way to move it. And he punished us because you Levites did not carry it.”

14 Then the priests and Levites made themselves holy so that they could carry the Holy Box of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 The Levites used the special poles to carry God’s Holy Box on their shoulders, the way Moses commanded. They carried the Holy Box just as the Lord had said.

The Singers

16 David told the Levite leaders to get their brothers, the singers. The singers were to take their lyres, harps, and cymbals and sing happy songs.

17 Then the Levites got Heman and his brothers, Asaph and Ethan. Heman was Joel’s son. Asaph was Berekiah’s son. Ethan was Kushaiah’s son. These men were from the Merari tribe. 18 There was also a second group of Levites. They were Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel. These men were the Levite guards.

19 The singers Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played bronze cymbals. 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played the alamoth[b] harps. 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah played the sheminith harps. This was their job forever. 22 The Levite leader Kenaniah was in charge of the singing. Kenaniah had this job because he was very skilled at singing.

23 Berekiah and Elkanah were two of the guards for the Holy Box. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer had the job of blowing trumpets as they walked in front of God’s Holy Box. Obed Edom and Jehiah were the other guards for the Holy Box.

25 David, the elders of Israel, and the generals[c] went to get the Box of the Lord’s Agreement. They brought it out from Obed Edom’s house. Everyone was very happy! 26 God had helped the Levites who carried the Box of the Lord’s Agreement. So they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams to him. 27 All the Levites who carried the Holy Box wore robes made from fine linen. Kenaniah, the man in charge of the singing, and all the singers had robes made from fine linen. David also wore a robe made from fine linen. He also wore an ephod made of fine linen.

28 So all the Israelites joined in bringing up the Box of the Lord’s Agreement. They shouted, they blew rams’ horns and trumpets, and they played cymbals, lyres, and harps.

29 When the Box of the Lord’s Agreement arrived at the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked through a window. When she saw King David dancing and playing, she lost her respect for him.

16 The Levites brought God’s Holy Box and put it inside the tent David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God. After David had finished giving the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he used the Lord’s name to bless the people. Then he gave a loaf of bread, some dates, and raisins to every Israelite man and woman.

Then David chose some of the Levites to serve before the Lord’s Holy Box. They had the job of celebrating and giving thanks and praise to the Lord, the God of Israel. Asaph was the leader of the first group. His group played the cymbals. Zechariah was the leader of the second group. The other Levites were Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel. These men played the lyres and harps. Benaiah and Jahaziel were the priests who always blew the trumpets before the Box of God’s Agreement. This was when David first gave Asaph and his brothers the job of singing praises to the Lord.

David’s Song of Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord and call out to him!
    Tell the nations what he has done!
Sing to him; sing praises to him.
    Tell about the amazing things he has done.
10 Be proud of his holy name.
    You followers of the Lord, be happy!
11 Depend on the Lord for strength.
    Always go to him for help.
12 Remember the amazing things he has done.
    Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.
13 The people of Israel are his servants.
    The descendants of Jacob are his chosen people.
14 The Lord is our God.
    He rules the whole world.
15 Remember his agreement forever,
    the promise he gave that will never end.
16 Remember the agreement he made with Abraham
    Remember his promise to Isaac.
17 He gave it as a law for Jacob,
    as an agreement with Israel that will last forever.
18 He said, “I will give you the land of Canaan.
    It will be your very own.”

19 At the time God said this, there were only a few of his people,
    and they were strangers there.
20 They traveled around from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
21 But the Lord did not let anyone mistreat them.
    He warned kings not to harm them.
22 He said, “Don’t hurt my chosen people.
    Don’t hurt my prophets.”
23 Let the whole world sing to the Lord!
    Tell the good news every day about how he saves us.
24 Tell all the nations how wonderful he is!
    Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does.
25 The Lord is great and worthy of praise.
    He is more awesome than any of the “gods.”
26 All the “gods” in other nations are nothing but statues,
    but the Lord made the heavens!
27 He lives in the presence of glory and honor.
    His Temple is a place of power and joy.
28 Praise the Lord, all people of every nation;
    praise the Lord’s glory and power!
29 Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory.
    Come into his presence with your offerings.
    Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.
30 Everyone on earth should tremble before him!
    But the world stands firm and cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy!
    Let people everywhere say, “The Lord rules!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy!
    Let the fields and everything in them be happy!
33 The trees of the forest will sing for joy when they see the Lord,
    because he is coming to rule the world.
34 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good.
    His faithful love will last forever.
35 Say to him,
    “Save us, God our Savior.
Bring us back together,
    and save us from the other nations.
Then we will give thanks to your holy name
    and joyfully praise you.”
36 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel!
    He always was and will always be worthy of praise!

All the people praised the Lord and said “Amen!”

37 Then David left Asaph and his brothers there in front of the Box of the Lord’s Agreement. David left them there to serve in front of it every day. 38 He also left Obed Edom and 68 other Levites to serve with Asaph and his brothers. Obed Edom and Hosah were guards. Obed Edom was Jeduthun’s son.

39 David left Zadok the priest and the other priests who served with him in front of the Lord’s Tent[d] at the high place in Gibeon. 40 Every morning and evening Zadok and the other priests offered burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings. They did this to follow the rules written in the law of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 Heman, Jeduthun, and all the other Levites were chosen by name to praise the Lord, singing, “His faithful love will last forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were with them. They had the job of blowing the trumpets and playing cymbals. They also had the job of playing other musical instruments when songs were sung to God. Jeduthun’s sons guarded the gates.

43 After the celebration, all the people left and went home. David also went home to bless his family.

God’s Promise to David

17 After David had moved into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in this nice palace made of cedar, but the Box of the Lord’s Agreement sits in a tent.”

Nathan answered David, “You may do what you want to do. God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan. God said,

“Go and tell this to my servant David: The Lord says, ‘David, you are not the one to build a house for me to live in. 5-6 Since the time I brought Israel out of Egypt until now, I have not lived in a house. I have moved around in a tent. I chose people to be special leaders for the Israelites. They were like shepherds for my people. While I was going around in Israel to different places, I never said to any of them: Why haven’t you built a house of cedar wood for me?’

“Now, tell this to my servant David: The Lord All-Powerful says, ‘I took you from the fields and from taking care of the sheep. I made you king of my people Israel. I have been with you everywhere you went. I went ahead of you and I killed your enemies. Now I will make you one of the most famous men on earth. I am giving this place to my people Israel. They will plant their trees, and they will sit in peace under those trees. They will not be bothered anymore. Evil people will not hurt them as they did at first. 10 Those bad things happened, but I chose leaders to care for my people Israel. And I will also defeat all your enemies.

“‘I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you.[e] 11 When you die, and you join your ancestors, then I will let your own son be the new king. The new king will be one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. 12 Your son will build a house for me. I will make your son’s family rule forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. Saul was the king before you, and I took away my support from Saul. But I will never stop loving your son. 14 I will put him in charge of my house and kingdom forever. His rule will continue forever!’”

15 Nathan told David about the vision and everything God had said.

David’s Prayer

16 Then King David went to the Holy Tent and sat before the Lord. David said,

Lord God, you have done so much for me and my family. And I don’t understand why. 17 Besides all these things, God, you let me know what will happen to my family in the future. Lord God, you have treated me like a very important man. 18 What more can I say? You have done so much for me. And I am only your servant. You know that. 19 Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for me and because you wanted to. 20 There is no one like you, Lord. There is no God except you. We have never heard of any god doing wonderful things like those! 21 Is there any other nation like Israel? No, Israel is the only nation on earth that you have done these wonderful things for. You took us out of Egypt and you made us free. You made yourself famous. You went in front of your people, and forced other people to leave their land for us. 22 You took Israel to be your people forever, and you, Lord, became their God!

23 Lord, you made this promise to me and my family. Now, keep your promise forever. Do what you said you would. 24 Keep your promise so that people will honor your name forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord All-Powerful is Israel’s God!’ I am your servant. Please let my family be strong and continue to serve you.

25 “My God, you spoke to me, your servant. You made it clear that you would make my family a family of kings. That is why I am being so bold—that is why I am asking you to do these things. 26 Lord, you are God, and you yourself promised to do these good things for me. 27 You have been kind enough to bless my family. You were kind enough to promise that my family will serve you forever. Lord, you yourself blessed my family, so my family really will be blessed forever.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 15:12 holy Here, this means “prepared to serve the Lord.” Also in verse 14.
  2. 1 Chronicles 15:20 alamoth, sheminith The meaning of these words is uncertain, but they may refer to types of instruments, special ways of tuning an instrument, or two different groups that played harps in the Temple orchestra.
  3. 1 Chronicles 15:25 generals Literally, “leaders over 1000 men.”
  4. 1 Chronicles 16:39 Lord’s Tent Or “Tabernacle.” Also called the “Meeting Tent.” The people would go to this tent to meet with God. They used this tent until Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem.
  5. 1 Chronicles 17:10 build a house for you This does not mean a real house. It means the Lord would make men from David’s family kings for many years.