232 lines
19 KiB
XML
232 lines
19 KiB
XML
<div2 id="iCh.xvi" n="xvi" next="iCh.xvii" prev="iCh.xv" progress="76.19%" title="Chapter XV">
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<h2 id="iCh.xvi-p0.1">F I R S T C H R O N I C L E
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S</h2>
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<h3 id="iCh.xvi-p0.2">CHAP. XV.</h3>
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<p class="intro" id="iCh.xvi-p1">The bringing in of the ark to the city of David
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was a very good work; it was resolved upon (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.13.4" parsed="|1Chr|13|4|0|0" passage="1Ch 13:4">xiii. 4</scripRef>), and attempted, but not perfected;
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it lay by the way in the house of Obed-edom. Now this chapter gives
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us an account of the completing of that good work. I. How it was
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done more regularly than before. 1. A place was prepared for it,
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.1" parsed="|1Chr|15|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. 2. The priests were
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ordered to carry it, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.2-1Chr.15.15" parsed="|1Chr|15|2|15|15" passage="1Ch 15:2-15">ver.
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2-15</scripRef>. 3. The Levites had their offices assigned them in
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attending on it, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.16-1Chr.15.24" parsed="|1Chr|15|16|15|24" passage="1Ch 15:16-24">ver.
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16-24</scripRef>. II. How it was done more successfully than
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before, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.25" parsed="|1Chr|15|25|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:25">ver. 25</scripRef>. 1. The
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Levites made no mistake in their work, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.26" parsed="|1Chr|15|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:26">ver. 26</scripRef>. 2. David and the people met with no
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damp upon their joy, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.27-1Chr.15.28" parsed="|1Chr|15|27|15|28" passage="1Ch 15:27,28">ver. 27,
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28</scripRef>. As for Michal's despising David, it was nothing,
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.29" parsed="|1Chr|15|29|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:29">ver. 29</scripRef>.</p>
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<scripCom id="iCh.xvi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15" parsed="|1Chr|15|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 15" type="Commentary"/>
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<scripCom id="iCh.xvi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.1-1Chr.15.24" parsed="|1Chr|15|1|15|24" passage="1Ch 15:1-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.15.1-1Chr.15.24">
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<h4 id="iCh.xvi-p1.11">The Removal of the Ark. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1047.)</h4>
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<p class="passage" id="iCh.xvi-p2">1 And <i>David</i> made him houses in the city
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of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for
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it a tent. 2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of
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God but the Levites: for them hath the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.1">Lord</span> chosen to carry the ark of God, and to
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minister unto him for ever. 3 And David gathered all Israel
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together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.2">Lord</span> unto his place, which he had prepared for
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it. 4 And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the
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Levites: 5 Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his
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brethren an hundred and twenty: 6 Of the sons of Merari;
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Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty: 7
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Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred
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and thirty: 8 Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief,
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and his brethren two hundred: 9 Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel
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the chief, and his brethren fourscore: 10 Of the sons of
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Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve.
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11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and
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for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel,
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and Amminadab, 12 And said unto them, Ye <i>are</i> the
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chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves,
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<i>both</i> ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of
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the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.3">Lord</span> God of Israel unto <i>the
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place that</i> I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye
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<i>did it</i> not at the first, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.4">Lord</span> our God made a breach upon us, for that we
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sought him not after the due order. 14 So the priests and
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the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.5">Lord</span> God of Israel. 15 And the
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children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders
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with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word
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of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p2.6">Lord</span>. 16 And David
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spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren <i>to
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be</i> the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps
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and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. 17
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So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his
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brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari
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their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 And with them
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their brethren of the second <i>degree,</i> Zechariah, Ben, and
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Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah,
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and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and
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Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters. 19 So the singers, Heman,
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Asaph, and Ethan, <i>were appointed</i> to sound with cymbals of
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brass; 20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and
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Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with
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psalteries on Alamoth; 21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and
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Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the
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Sheminith to excel. 22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites,
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<i>was</i> for song: he instructed about the song, because he
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<i>was</i> skilful. 23 And Berechiah and Elkanah <i>were</i>
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doorkeepers for the ark. 24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat,
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and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer,
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the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and
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Obed-edom and Jehiah <i>were</i> doorkeepers for the ark.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvi-p3">Preparation is here made for the bringing
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of the ark home to the city of David from the house of Obed-edom.
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It is here owned that in the former attempt, though it was a very
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good work and in it they <i>sought God,</i> yet they <i>sought him,
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not after the due order,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.13" parsed="|1Chr|15|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. "We did not go about our work
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considerately; and therefore we sped so ill." Note, It is not
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enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well—not
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enough that we seek God in a due ordinance, but we must seek after
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him, in a due order. Note, also, When we have suffered for our
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irregularities we must learn thereby to be more regular; then we
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answer the end of chastisement. Let us see how the matter was
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mended. 1. David now prepared a place for the reception of the ark,
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before he brought it to him; and thus he sought in the due order.
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He had not time to <i>build a house,</i> but he <i>pitched a
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tent</i> for it (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.1" parsed="|1Chr|15|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:1"><i>v.</i>
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1</scripRef>), probably according to the pattern shown to Moses in
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the mount, or as near it as might be, of curtains and boards.
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Observe, When he made houses for himself in the city of David he
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prepared a place for the ark. Note, Wherever we build for
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ourselves, we must be sure to make room for God's ark, for a church
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in the house. 2. David now ordered that the Levites or priests
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should carry the ark upon their shoulders. Now he bethought himself
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of that which he could not but know before, that, <i>none ought to
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carry the ark but the Levites,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.2" parsed="|1Chr|15|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. The Kohathites carried it in
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their ordinary marches, and therefore had no wagons allotted them,
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because their work was to <i>bear upon their shoulders,</i>
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.9" parsed="|Num|7|9|0|0" passage="Nu 7:9">Num. vii. 9</scripRef>. But upon
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extraordinary occasions, as when they passed Jordan and compassed
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Jericho, the priests carried it. This rule was express, and yet
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David himself forgot it, and put the ark upon a cart. Note, Even
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those that are very knowing in the word of God, yet have it not
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always so ready to them as were to be wished when they have
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occasion to use it. Wise and good men may be guilty of an
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oversight, which, as soon as they are aware of, they will correct.
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David did not go about to justify what had been done amiss, nor to
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lay the blame on others, but owned himself guilty, with others, of
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not seeking God in a due order, and now took care not only to
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summon the Levites to the solemnity, as he did all Israel
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(<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.3" parsed="|1Chr|15|3|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), and had done
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before (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.13.2" parsed="|1Chr|13|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 13:2"><i>ch.</i> xiii.
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2</scripRef>), but to see that they assembled (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.4" parsed="|1Chr|15|4|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), especially the sons of Aaron,
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.11" parsed="|1Chr|15|11|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. To them he
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gives the solemn charge (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.12" parsed="|1Chr|15|12|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:12"><i>v.</i>
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12</scripRef>): <i>You are the chief of the fathers of the
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Levites,</i> therefore do you <i>bring up the ark of the Lord.</i>
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It is expected that those who are advanced above others in dignity
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should go before others in duty. "You are the chief, and therefore
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more is expected from you than from others, both by way of service
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yourselves and influence on the rest. You did it not at first,
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neither did your duty yourselves nor took care to instruct us, and
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we smarted for it: <i>The Lord made a breach upon us;</i> we have
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all smarted for your neglect; <i>this has been by your means</i>
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(see <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:Mal.1.9" parsed="|Mal|1|9|0|0" passage="Mal 1:9">Mal. i. 9</scripRef>): therefore
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<i>sanctify yourselves,</i> and mind your business." When those
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that have suffered for doing ill thus learn to do better the
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correction is well bestowed. 3. The Levites and priests sanctified
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themselves (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.11" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.14" parsed="|1Chr|15|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>)
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and were ready to carry the ark on their shoulders, according to
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the law, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.12" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.15" parsed="|1Chr|15|15|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>.
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Note, Many that are very remiss in their duty, if they were but
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faithfully told of it, would reform and do better. The breach upon
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Uzza made the priests more careful to sanctify themselves, that is,
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to cleanse themselves from all ceremonial pollution and to compose
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themselves for the solemn service of God, so as to strike a
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reverence upon the people. Some are made examples, that others may
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be made exemplary and very cautious. 4. Officers were appointed to
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be ready to bid the ark welcome, with every possible expression of
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joy, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.13" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.16" parsed="|1Chr|15|16|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. David
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ordered the chief of the Levites to nominate those that they knew
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to be proficients for this service. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were
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now first appointed, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.14" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.17" parsed="|1Chr|15|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:17"><i>v.</i>
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17</scripRef>. They undertook to sound with symbols (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.15" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.19" parsed="|1Chr|15|19|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), others with
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psalteries (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.16" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.20" parsed="|1Chr|15|20|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>),
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others with harps, on the <i>Sheminith,</i> or <i>eighth,</i> eight
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notes higher or lower than the rest, according to the rules of the
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concert, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.17" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.21" parsed="|1Chr|15|21|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
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Some that were priests blew with the trumpet (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.18" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.24" parsed="|1Chr|15|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), as was usual at the removal
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of the ark (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.19" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.8" parsed="|Num|10|8|0|0" passage="Nu 10:8">Num. x. 8</scripRef>) and
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at solemn feasts, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.20" osisRef="Bible:Ps.81.3" parsed="|Ps|81|3|0|0" passage="Ps 81:3">Ps. lxxxi.
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3</scripRef>. And one was appointed for song (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.21" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.22" parsed="|1Chr|15|22|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), for he was skilful in it,
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could sing well himself and instruct others. Note, As every man has
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<i>received the gift,</i> so he ought to <i>minister the same,</i>
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.22" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.10" parsed="|1Pet|4|10|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:10">1 Pet. iv. 10</scripRef>. And those
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that excel in any endowment should not only use it for the common
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good themselves, but teach others also, and not grudge to make
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others as wise as themselves. This way of praising God by musical
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instruments had not hitherto been in use. But David, being a
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prophet, instituted it by divine direction, and added it to the
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other <i>carnal ordinances</i> of that dispensation, as the apostle
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calls them, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.23" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.10" parsed="|Heb|9|10|0|0" passage="Heb 9:10">Heb. ix. 10</scripRef>.
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The New Testament keeps up singing of psalms, but has not appointed
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church-music. Some were appointed to be porters (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.24" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.18" parsed="|1Chr|15|18|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), others door-keepers for the
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ark (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p3.25" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.23-1Chr.15.24" parsed="|1Chr|15|23|15|24" passage="1Ch 15:23,24"><i>v.</i> 23, 24</scripRef>),
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and one of these was Obed-edom, who reckoned it no doubt a place of
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honour, and accepted it as recompence for the entertainment he had
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given to the ark. He had been for three months housekeeper to the
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ark, and indeed its landlord. But, when he might not be so any
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longer, such an affection had he for it that he was glad to be its
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door-keeper.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="iCh.xvi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.25-1Chr.15.29" parsed="|1Chr|15|25|15|29" passage="1Ch 15:25-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.15.25-1Chr.15.29">
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<p class="passage" id="iCh.xvi-p4">25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the
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captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant
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of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p4.1">Lord</span> out of the house of
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Obed-edom with joy. 26 And it came to pass, when God helped
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the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p4.2">Lord</span>, that they offered seven bullocks and seven
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rams. 27 And David <i>was</i> clothed with a robe of fine
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linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and
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Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also
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<i>had</i> upon him an ephod of linen. 28 Thus all Israel
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brought up the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p4.3">Lord</span> with shouting, and with sound of the
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cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with
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psalteries and harps. 29 And it came to pass, <i>as</i> the
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ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvi-p4.4">Lord</span> came
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to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out
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at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised
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him in her heart.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvi-p5">All things being got ready for the carrying
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of the ark to the city of David, and its reception there, we have
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here an account of the solemnity of this conveyance thither from
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the house of Obed-edom.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvi-p6">I. God helped the Levites that carried it.
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The ark was no very great burden, that those who carried it needed
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any extraordinary help. But, 1. It is good to take notice of the
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assistance of the divine providence even in those things that fall
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within the compass of our natural powers: if God did not help us,
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we could not stir a step. 2. In all our religious exercises we must
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particularly derive help from heaven. See <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.22" parsed="|Acts|26|22|0|0" passage="Ac 26:22">Acts xxvi. 22</scripRef>. All our sufficiency for holy
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duties is from God. 3. The Levites, remembering the breach upon
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Uzza, were probably ready to tremble when they took up the ark; but
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God helped them, that is, he encouraged them to it, silenced their
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fears, and strengthened their faith. 4. God helped them to do it
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decently and well, and without making any mistake. If we perform
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any religious duties so as to escape a breach, and come off with
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our lives, we must own it is God that helps us; for, if left to
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ourselves, we should be guilty of some fatal miscarriages. God's
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ministers that bear the vessels of the Lord have special need of
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divine help in their ministrations, that God in them may be
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glorified and his church edified. And, if God help the Levites, the
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people have the benefit of it.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvi-p7">II. When they experienced the tokens of
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God's presence with them they offered sacrifices of praise to him,
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.26" parsed="|1Chr|15|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. This also he
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helped them to do. They offered these bullocks and rams perhaps by
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way of atonement for the former error, that it might not now be
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remembered against them, as well as by way of acknowledgment for
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the help now received.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvi-p8">III. There were great expressions of
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rejoicing used: the sacred music was played, David danced, the
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singers sang, and the common people shouted, <scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.27-1Chr.15.28" parsed="|1Chr|15|27|15|28" passage="1Ch 15:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27, 28</scripRef>. This we had before,
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<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.6.14-2Sam.6.15" parsed="|2Sam|6|14|6|15" passage="2Sa 6:14,15">2 Sam. vi. 14, 15</scripRef>. Learn
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hence, 1. That we serve a good master, who delights to have his
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||
servants sing at their work. 2. That times of public reformation
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are, and should be, times of public rejoicing. Those are unworthy
|
||
of the ark that are not glad of it. 3. It is not any disparagement
|
||
to the greatest of men to show themselves zealous in the acts of
|
||
devotion. Michal indeed despised David (<scripRef id="iCh.xvi-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.29" parsed="|1Chr|15|29|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>); but <i>her</i> despising him
|
||
did not make him at all despicable; he did not regard it himself,
|
||
nor did any that were wise and good (and why should we covet the
|
||
esteem of any but such?) think the worse of him.</p>
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||
</div></div2> |