1 Chronicles 15: 1 – 29
Can you dance?
15 David built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” 3 And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 Then David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and one hundred and twenty of his brethren; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and two hundred and twenty of his brethren; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and one hundred and thirty of his brethren; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his brethren; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and one hundred and twelve of his brethren. 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD. 16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brethren of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers; 19 the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound the cymbals of bronze; 20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to Alamoth; 21 Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, to direct with harps on the Sheminith; 22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful; 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark; 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark. 25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered 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 music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps. 29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.
Can you dance? The answer is ‘some can and some can’t as you look around at the dance floor.
Yes, Christians can dance. Dancing is biblical.
1 Samuel 18:6, "And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments."
2 Samuel 6:14, "And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod."
Psalm 149:3, "Let them praise His name with dancing. Let them sing praises to Him with timbral and lyre."
Now, such a blanket approval of dancing doesn't mean that all styles of dancing are acceptable. In modern culture different dance styles, particularly in nightclubs, are indecent. Some movements are explicitly sexual in nature and demonstrate a lack of morality that is exacerbated by rhythmic, sensual movement. This has no place for the Christian who is to exemplify modesty and propriety.
It is not possible to give a blanket approval or disapproval and cover all possible combinations of styles of dancing. So, we need to use Christian love and biblical discernment. Let's use common sense. We are free to dance with our spouses at weddings. I am free to spontaneously dance with my wife in a warm embrace in the kitchen when we have a chance encounter. But, we Christians are not free to participate in any form of dancing that would cause others to lust, incite sexual arousal, or be touched inappropriately.
As a Pastor I will only now dance with my wife a nice romantic slow dance. I do not think it would be okay to dance to the fast songs because there is always someone I might upset in doing so. David in his love for God was overjoyed at the opportunity to escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem danced before the Lord with all his might. We will see though everyone watching this scene was not very impressed with his actions.
David’s might which has now been established, his thoughts turn again to the bringing of the Ark into Jerusalem. He wants Jerusalem to be the center of YHWH worship.
The previous attempt to bring up the Ark of God into Jerusalem had resulted in the Ark ‘remaining with the family of Obed-edom’. But now he prepares a place for the Ark of God by pitching a tent in Jerusalem, no doubt like the Tabernacle. Once again, the contrast between God being unhoused and David being housed is emphasized. Thus, David now prepares a house for YHWH in the form of a Tent which would no doubt have been like the Tabernacle. So, for now we have an emphasis on the pitching of a Tent for God to dwell in.
In what follows, presumably having enquired of God, David calls on the Priests and Levites to sanctify themselves in readiness for the bearing of the Ark into Jerusalem.
As we consider this passage, we must not underestimate the significance of the coming of the Ark of YHWH to Jerusalem, both for David and the people. This would have been a day that most of them remembered for the remainder of their lives. It was as though the God of Sinai was visiting His people anew, and with the intention of being among them forever. The excitement would have been immense. And no one would have been more excited than David. This was why, as we shall see, he made such careful preparations.
15 David built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
This is a summary verse for the Tent had no doubt been pitched before the first attempt to bring up the Ark. Now it is emphasized again. And it is paralleled with David making for himself houses. The Tent would no doubt have been a splendid one, considered worthy of its expected Occupant (if anything on earth could be).
2 Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”
It is apparent now that David has been ‘enquiring of God’, for he has come up with the solution to the problem. Previously he had been remiss in not recognizing God’s instructions about the conveying of the Ark. Now he understands that only the Levites as selected by God ought to carry the Ark (Numbers 4.15), for it is they whom YHWH has chosen to bear the Ark, and ‘to minister to Him forever’ (Deuteronomy 18.5).
3 And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.
So once again David assembles ‘all Israel’ at Jerusalem to bring the Ark of YHWH up to the place which he has prepared for it.
4 Then David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and one hundred and twenty of his brethren; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and two hundred and twenty of his brethren; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and one hundred and thirty of his brethren; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his brethren; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and one hundred and twelve of his brethren.
Six Levitical families are called on to assist in bearing the Ark under the guidance of Zadok and Abiathar, the sons of Aaron, presumably in relays. The first three are from sub-tribes, the sons of Kohath, Merari and Gershom who were the direct sons of Levi. The next three are clans headed by Elizaphan, Hebron and Uzziel. Hebron and Uzziel were sons of Kohath (6.18). Elizaphan was a son of Uzziel (Exodus 6.16). Thus, along with Uriel ‘the son of Kohath’, Hebron, Uzziel and Elizaphan were all Kohathites, and strictly speaking it was their sub-tribe who had responsibility for bearing the Ark.
The sons of Gershom and Merari were to be allowed to do so by concession because there was no Tabernacle to carry. By the time of David these clans, having gradually developed, seemingly represented a large proportion of the Levites, and certainly of the Kohathites.
11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
David calls together the leading Levites as described above, under Zadok and Abiathar the Priests. These were the clan chiefs of Levi who had overall responsibility for arranging the bearing of the Ark.
12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.
He reminded them that they were the heads of father’s houses (clan leaders) of the Levites, those set apart to bear the Ark on its staves. And he calls on them to ‘sanctify themselves’, along with their brothers, so that they can bear the Ark of YHWH to the place that has been prepared for it. Such sanctification would include dedication of themselves and washing their clothes (Exodus 19.10, 14) and possibly exclusion from sexual activity (1 Samuel 21.5).
13 For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
He explains that he had now discovered the reasons why the first attempt to bring the Ark up to Jerusalem had failed. It was because the Levites had not borne the Ark in the time-honored way. As priests they should have known of the requirements of carrying the Ark and should have informed David. Thus, God had punished them because they did not seek Him in accordance with the ordinances.
14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
So, the priests and Levites dedicated themselves, and washed their clothes, and possibly abstained from sexual activity (1 Samuel 21.5) to be fitted to ‘bring up’ (to Jerusalem) the Ark of YHWH the God of Israel. Please notice the fuller name given to the Ark on this important occasion, as in verse 12. Previously it has been called ‘the Ark of God’ (15.1) and ‘the Ark of YHWH’ (15.3). But this was a very solemn moment and the aim was to bring all Israel into the reckoning. It therefore becomes ‘the Ark of YHWH the God of Israel’. In 15.28 it will be called ‘the Ark of the covenant of YHWH’ to emphasize the covenant.
15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.
Having sanctified themselves the Levites took hold of the staves which the priests would have slotted into the rings on the Ark (Numbers 4.11) and lifted them on their shoulders. By this means they would maintain a respectable distance between themselves and the Ark as they carried it. And it is stressed that this was done in accordance with the word of YHWH as commanded by Moses.
16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.
David wanted nothing to be lacking in the worship of YHWH appointed singers, instrumentalists, and doorkeepers for the purpose:
David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, was concerned that nothing be missing from the musical celebrations accompanying the transferring of the Ark. He thus now arranged with the chief of the Levites for singers and musicians to play their instruments loudly and lift their voices with joy. He wanted the praise of God to ring out among all Israel.
There is here an encouragement to us to make use of music and singing in our worship.
17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
In accordance with David’s request the Levites appointed their chief singers, Heman the son of Joel who was first vocal (compare 6.33), his brother Levite Asaph the son of Berechiah who was second vocal and stood at this right hand (6.39) and Ethan the son of Kushaiah (or Kishi) who was third vocal (6.44).
The harp was a stringed instrument played by hand. The lyre was a wooden instrument with eight to ten strings, also probably played by hand.
18 and with them their brethren of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers;
And along with them were appointed their brothers of the second degree. Fourteen of them are named as singers even though some were also ‘gatekeepers’ (security men). There was no reason why security men should not also have been singers.
19 the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound the cymbals of bronze;
The different kinds of instrument were divided up among the singers:
The three leading singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan, carried bronze cymbals which they could clash together as they sang. These would be about five inches across.
20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to Alamoth;
These musicians sang to harps and were seemingly sopranos (alamoth = young woman).
21 Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, to direct with harps on the Sheminith;
These sang to lyres and led the singing in bass (sheminith). It is possible that these sang the lead lines (they led), and the others (the sopranos) sang the responses.
22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful;
Chenaniah would appear to have been the musical director. He guided and directed the singing.
23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark;
The idea here would appear to be that Berechiah and Elkanah acted as security men to ensure that the above singers did not approach too near to the Ark.
The singers apparently followed the Ark, whilst the trumpeters marched in front of it playing their trumpets. The trumpeters were priests (Numbers 10.8, 10). Their names were not mentioned previously because they were not singers. The singers even today always seem to get the press.
24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.
Ahead of the Ark the priests blew on their trumpets. Their names are given here. They were not singers. Between the Ark and the priests marched the two security men, Obed-edom and Hehiah. It was their responsibility to ensure that no one got too near to the Ark.
At last all was ready and the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH was brought into the city with great joy and celebration. Note the extended title for the Ark. Not only was YHWH’s throne being brought into Jerusalem, but also the covenant between YHWH and Israel. It was a renewal of the uniting of God with His people.
25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.
2 Samuel 16.12 speaks only of David as doing this, but it can hardly be doubted that he was accompanied by a goodly number of people. Here they are described as the elders of Israel and commanders over large military units (regiments/thousands). And together they went to the house of Obed-edom to bring up (to Jerusalem) the Ark of the covenant of YHWH, something which they did with great joy. The expansion to ‘the Ark of the covenant of YHWH’ underlines the covenant aspect of what was being done. By the bringing in of the Ark the covenant was being renewed.
26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.
We are not told in what way God helped the Levites who bore the Ark, but the probability is that it indicated that God allowed the procession to carry on unscathed. He ‘helped them’ because this time there was no unpleasant intervention. So, in gratitude they offered to Him in sacrifice, seven bullocks and seven rams. This need not mean that the Levites offered the sacrifices. They would do it through Levitical priests who were with them (verse 14).
A bullock was the offering required when all Israel had sinned (Leviticus 4.13), whilst a ram was required when someone sinned unwittingly in the holy things of YHWH (Leviticus 5.15). Thus, seven bullocks and seven rams perfectly (seven times) covered both all Israel in regard to their having sinned and protected all from any unwitting sin in the holy things of YHWH. There was clearly still a certain sense of trepidation as to whether they were fulfilling all that was required in the movement of the Ark. Their hope was that the offerings would counter any failure on their part.
27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
2 Samuel 6.14 tells us merely that David wore a linen ephod (and that he danced before the Ark with all his might). Here we learn that he was both clothed in fine linen and wore a linen ephod. He was not dancing in his ‘underwear’ as some movies try to intimate. Being clothed with fine linen was suitable for entering the presence of a holy God. It was pure and unspotted. The linen ephod may well have indicated his priesthood after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110.4). It was not a sacrificing priesthood but an intercessory one. His dancing with all his might is replaced by the singing of the Levites. All the Levites, and the singers, and Chenaniah the choir leader, were involved in the singing in honor of YHWH, and they too were clothed in fine linen.
28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.
In this way did all Israel bring up the Ark of the covenant of YHWH, and they did it with joyous shouting, and with much music. The cornet has now been added to the trumpets, the cymbals, the harps and the lyres.
In ending this chapter, we come across a brief mention of Saul’s daughter who interprets David’s dancing as an offense. Throughout this book we find snippets of the exclusion of Saul and his descendants from the rolls of kingship to bring out the unsuitability of the house of Saul, as a house more concerned with appearance than with genuine heartfelt expression.
29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.
In contrast with the wholehearted worship of David, we are taught the attitude of Saul’s daughter Michal. For as David came into the city she looked out of the window, saw him dancing and playing his musical instrument before YHWH, and despised him in her heart.
Lord please help us take our own inventory and keep from developing the same attitude as Saul’s daughter.
