1Ch 15:4-10 | KingComments | STEP | To bring the ark to Sion, David now gives the right orders ( ). Here, as king of God’s people, he takes responsibility in religious matters. On him rests the duty to lead God’s people in the right way in honoring the LORD. He acknowledges that things went wrong last time because they “did not seek Him according to the ordinance” ( ). The ordinance is that no one but the Levites may transport the ark and that they must do so by “carrying” it ( ; ; ). It is not enough that we do what is good, but it is also important to do it in the right way, the lawful way (cf. ). David involves “all Israel” in the bringing up of the ark to Jerusalem ( ). For us it means that all believers have a duty to give the Lord Jesus the place that is rightfully His in the meeting. For the actual replacement of the ark, David mobilizes the priests and the Levites, called by name and number ( ). David determines in every respect how and by whom the transport should take place. Two priests are mentioned ( ). They come from the two lines of the remaining sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar ( ). Zadok is a descendant of Aaron via Eleazar, and Abiathar is a descendant of Aaron via Ithamar. The priesthood will continue through Zadok according to God’s thoughts. We see this later during the reign of Solomon and also in the temple service in the kingdom of peace which is described in the book of Ezekiel ( ). David also speaks about the condition, the spiritual preparation for the task ( ). This preparation has been neglected the first time and has been the cause of God having to inflict a heavy blow on them. The condition is that those who occupy themselves with the ark must consecrate themselves. As a result, they will be kept from a second heavy blow. The positive aspect is that they will experience the joy of the LORD. Consecration means that they separate themselves from any form of uncleanness. If we want to enjoy the blessing of the Lord’s presence, we will have to “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” ( ). After the priests have done what is asked of them, they go to pick up the ark ( ). Then the ark is carried in the manner prescribed by the LORD, which is on the shoulders of the Levites ( ). The shoulders of the Levites are a better means of transport than the strongest and most beautiful cart. We see in it the picture that God has entrusted the glory of the Lord Jesus to the hands of His servants, to their responsibility. In carrying the ark on the shoulders of the Levites we can also think of the Divine power that works in His servants ( ). Levites represent the gifts of the Lord Jesus to the church and in this context perhaps especially the teachers ( ). The power of God’s Spirit gives them the spiritual ability to uphold the glory of Christ in all its riches and to show it before the eyes of God’s people. Bringing the ark to Sion is important for three reasons: 1. It means that Sion is the place where the LORD wants His Name to dwell. That is the place we must look for. Then we find the ark. For us it means that we find the Lord Jesus in the place where He is central and the service is done in accordance with His Word, because of Him the ark is a picture. 2. The ark was carried away into exile and is now returning from it under the guidance of David. In Scripture we read four times about an exile: a. Israel in Egypt, b. the ark with the Philistines, c. the two tribes in Babylonian exile and d. the exile that Israel is currently in. Each time the deliverance from exile means that the people, or a remnant, return to the land. a1. We see that it happens for Israel when the people led by Moses leave Egypt to go to the promised land. b1. We see it here when David brings the ark to Jerusalem. c1. Later we see it when a remnant from the two tribes led by Zerubbabel from the Babylonian exile return to Israel. d1. We will still see it when the current exile will end with a return to the land through the coming of the Messiah. 3. The name of Christ is uniquely linked to Sion by David bringing up the ark to that place. Sion also represents grace ( ). This mountain contrasts with Mount Sinai ( ; ), the mountain which is a symbol of man under the law. From now on, the history of Israel will be dominated by Sion, although here literally by the law as well. But fundamentally God acts on the basis of grace through the ark, through David and through Zadok. These three we find combined in the Lord Jesus. Four names are used for the ark. This can be compared with the content of the four Gospels: 1. “The ark of the LORD” ( ) we see in the Gospel according to Matthew. This name reminds us that God keeps His promises by letting the prophetic word come true in the King of Israel. 2. In Exodus the ark is also called ‘the ark of the testimony’ ( ). We see this in the Gospel according to Mark, in which the Lord Jesus is presented as the Servant and Witness of God. 3. “The ark of the LORD’s covenant” ( ) is seen in the Lord Jesus as the Gospel according to Luke describes Him. The Lord Jesus as the true Man, the Man according to God’s thoughts, is the foundation of the new covenant as the expression of God’s lovingkindness in Christ toward man. 4. The Gospel according to John shows us “the ark of God” ( ). John presents the Lord Jesus as the Son of God. These four aspects we may see when we meet at the place where He is in the midst. He is the true center of the meeting of the church where the hearts go out to Him in His great beauty.

‏ 1 Chronicles 15:4-10

The Ark Is Brought to Sion

To bring the ark to Sion, David now gives the right orders (1Chr 15:2). Here, as king of God’s people, he takes responsibility in religious matters. On him rests the duty to lead God’s people in the right way in honoring the LORD.

He acknowledges that things went wrong last time because they “did not seek Him according to the ordinance” (1Chr 15:13). The ordinance is that no one but the Levites may transport the ark and that they must do so by “carrying” it (1Chr 15:2; 1Chr 15:15; Num 7:9). It is not enough that we do what is good, but it is also important to do it in the right way, the lawful way (cf. 2Tim 2:5).

David involves “all Israel” in the bringing up of the ark to Jerusalem (1Chr 15:3). For us it means that all believers have a duty to give the Lord Jesus the place that is rightfully His in the meeting. For the actual replacement of the ark, David mobilizes the priests and the Levites, called by name and number (1Chr 15:4-10). David determines in every respect how and by whom the transport should take place.

Two priests are mentioned (1Chr 15:11). They come from the two lines of the remaining sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar (Lev 10:1 ; 6). Zadok is a descendant of Aaron via Eleazar, and Abiathar is a descendant of Aaron via Ithamar. The priesthood will continue through Zadok according to God’s thoughts. We see this later during the reign of Solomon and also in the temple service in the kingdom of peace which is described in the book of Ezekiel (Eze 40:46 ; Eze 43:19 ; Eze 44:15 ; Eze 48:11).

David also speaks about the condition, the spiritual preparation for the task (1Chr 15:12). This preparation has been neglected the first time and has been the cause of God having to inflict a heavy blow on them. The condition is that those who occupy themselves with the ark must consecrate themselves. As a result, they will be kept from a second heavy blow. The positive aspect is that they will experience the joy of the LORD.

Consecration means that they separate themselves from any form of uncleanness. If we want to enjoy the blessing of the Lord’s presence, we will have to “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2Cor 7:1).

After the priests have done what is asked of them, they go to pick up the ark (1Chr 15:14). Then the ark is carried in the manner prescribed by the LORD, which is on the shoulders of the Levites (1Chr 15:15). The shoulders of the Levites are a better means of transport than the strongest and most beautiful cart. We see in it the picture that God has entrusted the glory of the Lord Jesus to the hands of His servants, to their responsibility.

In carrying the ark on the shoulders of the Levites we can also think of the Divine power that works in His servants (Eph 3:20). Levites represent the gifts of the Lord Jesus to the church and in this context perhaps especially the teachers (Eph 4:11). The power of God’s Spirit gives them the spiritual ability to uphold the glory of Christ in all its riches and to show it before the eyes of God’s people.

Bringing the ark to Sion is important for three reasons:

1. It means that Sion is the place where the LORD wants His Name to dwell. That is the place we must look for. Then we find the ark. For us it means that we find the Lord Jesus in the place where He is central and the service is done in accordance with His Word, because of Him the ark is a picture.

2. The ark was carried away into exile and is now returning from it under the guidance of David. In Scripture we read four times about an exile:

a. Israel in Egypt,

b. the ark with the Philistines,

c. the two tribes in Babylonian exile and

d. the exile that Israel is currently in.

Each time the deliverance from exile means that the people, or a remnant, return to the land.

a1. We see that it happens for Israel when the people led by Moses leave Egypt to go to the promised land.

b1. We see it here when David brings the ark to Jerusalem.

c1. Later we see it when a remnant from the two tribes led by Zerubbabel from the Babylonian exile return to Israel.

d1. We will still see it when the current exile will end with a return to the land through the coming of the Messiah.

3. The name of Christ is uniquely linked to Sion by David bringing up the ark to that place. Sion also represents grace (Heb 12:22a). This mountain contrasts with Mount Sinai (Gal 4:25; Heb 12:18-21), the mountain which is a symbol of man under the law. From now on, the history of Israel will be dominated by Sion, although here literally by the law as well. But fundamentally God acts on the basis of grace through the ark, through David and through Zadok. These three we find combined in the Lord Jesus.

Four names are used for the ark. This can be compared with the content of the four Gospels:

1. “The ark of the LORD” (1Chr 15:12) we see in the Gospel according to Matthew. This name reminds us that God keeps His promises by letting the prophetic word come true in the King of Israel.

2. In Exodus the ark is also called ‘the ark of the testimony’ (Exo 25:22). We see this in the Gospel according to Mark, in which the Lord Jesus is presented as the Servant and Witness of God.

3. “The ark of the LORD’s covenant” (1Chr 15:25) is seen in the Lord Jesus as the Gospel according to Luke describes Him. The Lord Jesus as the true Man, the Man according to God’s thoughts, is the foundation of the new covenant as the expression of God’s lovingkindness in Christ toward man.

4. The Gospel according to John shows us “the ark of God” (1Chr 15:24). John presents the Lord Jesus as the Son of God.

These four aspects we may see when we meet at the place where He is in the midst. He is the true center of the meeting of the church where the hearts go out to Him in His great beauty.