King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 15:25 Mean?

1 Chronicles 15:25 in the King James Version says “So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LOR...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Chronicles 15:25 · KJV

Joy

Context

23

And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

24

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.

25

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.

26

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.

27

And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. song: or, carriage

Read 1 Chronicles 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Proper ark transport - Levitical worship order. The Hebrew term לֵוִי (Levi) - joined/attached is theologically significant here, pointing to Ordained worship according to God's prescription. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about Ordained worship according to God's prescription. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Christ as true temple and worship center.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of Proper ark transport - Levitical worship order occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on Ordained worship according to God's prescription challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ as true temple and worship center teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֥י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דָוִ֛יד2 of 17

“So David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְזִקְנֵ֥י3 of 17

“and the elders”

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְשָׂרֵ֣י5 of 17

“and the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָֽאֲלָפִ֑ים6 of 17

“over thousands”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

הַהֹֽלְכִ֗ים7 of 17

“went”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת8 of 17

“to bring up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת9 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲר֧וֹן10 of 17

“the ark”

H727

a box

בְּרִית11 of 17

“of the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

יְהוָ֛ה12 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִן13 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

בֵּ֥ית14 of 17

“out of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עֹבֵֽד15 of 17
H0
אֱדֹ֖ם16 of 17

“of Obededom”

H5654

obed-edom, the name of five israelites

בְּשִׂמְחָֽה׃17 of 17

“with joy”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

Study Guide

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 15:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 15:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 6:12-231 Chronicles 13:11-14Micah 5:2Philippians 3:3Psalms 100:1-2Philippians 4:4

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 1 Chronicles 15 →

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