1 Chron. 15 David, having prepared a place for the ark, ordereth the priests and Levites to bring it from Obed-edom, 1 Chron. 15:1–24. He performeth the solemnity thereof with great joy, 1 Chron. 15:25–28. Michal despiseth him, 1 Chron. 15:29.

Houses; a palace consisting of many houses or apartments for his several wives and children. Pitched for it a tent. Quest. Why did he not first fetch the tabernacle of Moses from Gibeon, where it now was that so he might put the ark into its proper place? Answ.

But the Levites, and that upon their shoulders; of which see Num. 4:15, Num. 7:9; and not in a cart, as it was before, to our great grief and loss. For ever, i.e. so long as the ark is to be removed, and as that worship continues.

Of the sons of Kohath, to wit, of Amram or Izhar, Kohath’s sons, Num. 3:27. Otherwise Elizaphan, 1 Chron. 15:8, and Hebron, 1 Chron. 15:9, and Uzziel, 1 Chron. 15:10, were Kohath’s children; of which see Ex. 6:17–18, Ex. 6:22.

Zadok and Abiathar the priests, i.e. the chief priests, Abiathar the high priest, and Zadok the second priest: see Num. 3:32.

Sanctify yourselves, by solemn purification and preparation of yourselves, both in soul and body. See Poole “Ex. 19:10, Ex. 19:15”.

Because ye did it not at the first; because you did not sanctify and prepare yourselves by solemn prayer, and seeking counsel from God, and by a serious consideration of God’s will as to the manner of carrying it; which it was your duty more than others to observe and see it executed.

The children of the Levites, to wit, the Kohathites, Num. 4:4.

Their brethren of the second degree; the first rank or degree of sacred musicians being those three famous persons named 1 Chron. 15:17, next unto whom were these here named.

In this catalogue Ben is omitted, who was mentioned 1 Chron. 15:18. Yet others think him to be the same who is called Azaziah, 1 Chron. 15:21. But Ben might be some other person, who was indeed appointed for this work, as is related, 1 Chron.

See Poole “1 Chron. 15:20”. To excel: the word may be here added to note the excellency of that instrument, or note, or part of music; or that there was a greater extension or elevation of the voice than in the former.

Was for song, Heb. was for lifting up; either, 1. Of the ark; he was for carriage of the ark, being appointed to instruct or direct the time and manner of carrying the ark, and when they should make a stand or a change in the bearers. Or rather, 2.

They were appointed to keep the door of the tent, in which the ark was to be put and kept, that no unallowed person might press in and touch it; and in like manner they were to attend upon the ark in the way, and to guard it from the press and touch of profane hands; for which end these two went…

When God helped the Levites; either, 1. By giving them strength to carry their burden; or rather, 2. By encouraging them in their work with some comfortable sign of his presence with them, and approbation of their work and manner of carrying the ark: when they saw that he did not cut off any of the…

With a robe of fine linen, i.e. with a linen ephod, as it is explained in the close of this verse, where this circumstance is repeated, because it was a notable and unusual thing for David, who was no Levite, to wear a Levitical garment. Of this and the following verses, See Poole “2 Sam.