1 David made himself houses in David’s city; and he prepared a place for God’s ark, and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry God’s ark, and to minister to him forever.” 3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up Yahweh’s ark to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred thirty; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred twelve. 11 David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, up to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.” 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 15 The children of the Levites bore God’s ark on their shoulders with its poles, as Moses commanded according to Yahweh’s word. 16 David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. 19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud; 20 and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth; 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead. 22 Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the singing. He taught the singers, because he was skillful. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before God’s ark; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. 25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 When God helped the Levites who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him. 28 Thus all Israel brought the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps. 29 As the ark of Yahweh’s covenant came to David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles · World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Chronicles 15 World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
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People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Amasai
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Amminadab
Chief of the Uzzielites with 112 relatives, summoned to bring up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:10; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Asaiah
Chief of the Merarites with 220 relatives, summoned with the priests to bring up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:6; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Asaph
A Gershonite Levite and singer, son of Berechiah, Heman's kinsman who served at his right hand among the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 6:39; 1 Chronicles 9:15; 1 Chronicles 15:17
Azaziah
Among the Levites appointed to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:21
Benaiah
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Benaiah
A priest who blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant, together with Jahaziel.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:6
Berechiah
Appointed with Elkanah to be a guardian of the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:23
Berechiah
Berechiah is named as the son of Shimea in Asaph's Gershonite ancestry (1 Chronicles 6:39-43).
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 6:39; 1 Chronicles 15:17
Chenaniah
The head Levite who directed the music because he was highly skilled.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:22; 1 Chronicles 15:27
Eliab
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Eliel
Chief of the Hebronites with 80 relatives, summoned to bring up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:9; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Eliezer
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Eliphelehu
Among the Levite singers appointed to lead with lyres according to Sheminith.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:21
Elkanah
Appointed with Berechiah to be a guardian of the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:23
Ethan
A Merarite Levite and singer, son of Kishi, whose kinsmen stood on the left of Heman and Asaph among the singers David appointed.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:17; 1 Chronicles 15:19
Heman
A Kohathite Levite and singer, son of Joel and grandson of Samuel, among the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD; his kinsman Asaph served at his right…
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles 15:17; 1 Chronicles 15:19
Jaaziel
Listed among the brothers appointed as singers in 15:18; the harp list in 15:20 gives the name as Aziel.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20
Jehiah
Appointed with Obed-edom to be a guardian of the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Jehiel
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Jeiel
Named with Obed-edom as a gatekeeper and among those appointed to lead with lyres; listed again in the ministry before the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:21; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Joel
Chief of the Gershomites with 130 relatives, summoned to bring up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:7; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Joshaphat
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Kishi
Kishi is named as the son of Abdi in Ethan's Merarite ancestry (1 Chronicles 6:44-47).
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:17
Maaseiah
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20
Mattithiah
Among the Levite singers appointed to lead with lyres according to Sheminith.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:21; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Mikneiah
Among the Levite singers appointed to lead with lyres according to Sheminith.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:21
Nethanel
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Shebaniah
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Shemaiah
Chief of the Elizaphanites with 200 relatives, summoned to bring up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:8; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Shemiramoth
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Unni
Among the Levite singers appointed to play harps according to Alamoth.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20
Uriel
Chief of the Kohathites with 120 relatives; David summoned him to consecrate the Levites for bringing up the ark.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:5; 1 Chronicles 15:11
Zechariah
Among the brothers of Heman, Asaph and Ethan, appointed to play harps according to Alamoth; second in rank under Asaph when the ministry before the ark began.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:20; 1 Chronicles 16:5
Zechariah
One of seven priests appointed to blow trumpets before the ark of God.
Cited in the guide: 1 Chronicles 15:24
Cross references (29)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Chronicles 16:1; Psalm 132:5; Acts 7:46; 1 Chronicles 15:3; 1 Chronicles 17:1–5
- 2 Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 31:9; Numbers 18:1–8; Joshua 3:3; Numbers 8:24–26
- 3 1 Chronicles 13:5; 1 Kings 8:1; 2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Samuel 6:17
- 4 1 Chronicles 6:16–30; 1 Chronicles 6:49–50; Exodus 6:16–22; Numbers 3:4; 1 Chronicles 12:26–28
- 5 1 Chronicles 6:22–24
- 6 1 Chronicles 6:29–30
- 7 1 Chronicles 15:11; 1 Chronicles 23:8
- 8 Exodus 6:22
- 9 Exodus 6:18; 1 Chronicles 26:30–31; 1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 26:23; 1 Chronicles 23:12
- 10 1 Chronicles 6:22; Exodus 6:22; 1 Chronicles 6:18; Exodus 6:18; 1 Chronicles 23:12
- 11 1 Chronicles 12:28; 1 Kings 2:35; 1 Samuel 22:20–23; 2 Samuel 20:25; 2 Samuel 8:17
- 12 2 Chronicles 35:6; Exodus 19:14–15; 1 Chronicles 15:14; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Chronicles 30:15
- 13 2 Samuel 6:3; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 John 1:8–10; 2 Samuel 6:7–8
- 14 2 Chronicles 29:34; Leviticus 10:3; 2 Chronicles 29:15; Joel 2:16–17
- 15 Numbers 4:15; Numbers 7:9; Exodus 40:20; Exodus 25:12–15; Exodus 37:3–5
- 16 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 16:42; 1 Chronicles 23:5; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Nehemiah 12:36
- 17 1 Chronicles 6:39; 1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:19; 1 Samuel 8:2
- 18 1 Chronicles 26:4; 1 Chronicles 26:8; 1 Chronicles 25:9–31; 1 Chronicles 25:2–6; 1 Chronicles 13:14
- 19 1 Chronicles 25:6; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 16:42; 1 Chronicles 16:5; 1 Chronicles 15:16
- 20 Psalm 46:1–11
- 21 1 Chronicles 15:18; Psalm 150:3; Psalm 81:1–2; Psalm 92:3; Psalm 6:1–10
- 22 1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 15:27; 1 Chronicles 25:7–8
- 23 2 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 25:18; Psalm 84:10; 1 Chronicles 9:21–23
- 24 1 Chronicles 16:6; 1 Chronicles 15:28; Numbers 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:18; Joel 2:1
- 25 2 Samuel 6:12–23; Ezra 6:16; Micah 5:2; Philippians 3:3; 2 Chronicles 20:27–28
- 26 Numbers 23:29; Job 42:8; Psalm 66:13–15; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Ezekiel 45:23
- 27 2 Samuel 6:14; 1 Samuel 2:18
- 28 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 5:12–13; 2 Samuel 6:15; Psalm 150:3–5
- 29 2 Samuel 6:20–23; 2 Samuel 6:16; 2 Samuel 3:13–14; Psalm 69:7–9; Psalm 30:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences