King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 15:3 Mean?

1 Chronicles 15:3 in the King James Version says “And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepar... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

1 Chronicles 15:3 · KJV


Context

1

And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

2

Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. None: Heb. It is not to carry the ark of God, but for the Levites

3

And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

4

And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

5

Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty: brethren: or, kinsmen


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it—After the Uzzah disaster (ch. 13), David learned proper procedure. The phrase asher hekin lo ('which he had prepared for it') indicates David built a proper dwelling. This second attempt features Levitical carriers (v.15) instead of a Philistine-style cart.

The assembly of kol-yisrael ('all Israel') emphasizes national unity in worship. Chronicles repeatedly stresses this theme for post-exilic readers rebuilding temple worship. Right worship unites God's people; improper worship (ch. 13) brings death. David's preparation shows that honoring God's presence requires both heart devotion and procedural obedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This second ark procession (c. 1001 BC) occurred after David learned from Obed-edom's blessing (13:14) that proper handling brings prosperity, not judgment. The three-month interval allowed David to study Torah requirements and prepare according to Mosaic law.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does proper preparation for worship demonstrate reverence for God's holiness?
  2. What 'preparations' in your spiritual life need attention before you can properly receive God's blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיַּקְהֵ֥ל1 of 16

gathered

H6950

to convoke

דָּוִ֛יד2 of 16

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

כָּל4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל5 of 16

all Israel

H3478

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

אֶל6 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם7 of 16

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לְהַֽעֲלוֹת֙8 of 16

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 16
H853

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

אֲר֣וֹן10 of 16

the ark

H727

a box

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 16

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְקוֹמ֖וֹ13 of 16

unto his place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁר14 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵכִ֥ין15 of 16

which he had prepared

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לֽוֹ׃16 of 16
H0

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 15:3 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 15:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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