King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 15:24 Mean?

“And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.”

Context

And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. was for: or, was for the carriage: he instructed about the carriage song: Heb. lifting up

And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.

And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(24) Seven priestly trumpeters. **The priests, did blow with the trumpets.**—*Were blowing.* (Comp. Numbers 10:2.) A pair of silver clarions were blown by the priests “for the calling of the assembly, and the journeying of the camps.” (See also 1Chronicles 16:6.) The seven priests perhaps walked immediately before the Ark, as in Joshua 6:4. *of the Ark,* **And Obed-edom and Jehiah were door-keepers for the ark.**—Comp. 1Chronicles 15:23. It is hardly likely that these persons were identical with the minstrels Obed-edom and Jeiel of 1Chronicles 15:18; 1Chronicles 15:21, for (1) 1Chronicles 15:19-24 appear to describe the order of the procession, according to which two “doorkeepers” walked before and two behind the ark (1Chronicles 15:23-24), whereas Obed-edom and Jeiel the minstrels walked, playing their lutes, two places before even the first pair of doorkeepers (1Chronicles 15:21); (2) the name “Jeiel” is different in form and meaning from “Jehiah,” *Jah liveth;* (3) the recurrence of names has been too frequent to allow us to be much surprised at a second Obed-edom. (Comp. 1Chronicles 16:38.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 15:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.