1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 15: The ark comes up God's way

Begin in prayer

Before we read how David brought the ark up the right way, let us bow and pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He tells us how to come near, and to lead us to Jesus.

Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

Psalm 24:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You tell Your people how to come near to You, and show us Jesus, the way to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David prepared a place for the ark in Jerusalem and said that only the Levites should carry it (verses 1 and 2). He told the priests and Levites to make themselves holy, because Israel had not sought God rightly before (verses 12 and 13). The Levites carried the ark on their shoulders with its poles, as Moses had commanded (verse 15). David appointed singers and musicians to sound aloud with joy (verses 16 to 24). God helped the Levites, and they offered seven bulls and seven rams (verse 26). All Israel brought the ark up with shouting, trumpets and cymbals, and Michal despised David in her heart (verses 28 and 29).

As you read 1 Chronicles 15, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God showed Israel how to carry His ark, and they brought it up with joy.

After Uzza's death, David prepared a tent for the ark in Jerusalem (verse 1). He said only the Levites should carry it, because the LORD had chosen them for that work (verse 2). He said the LORD had broken out in anger before, because Israel had not sought Him as the ordinance said (verse 13). The priests and Levites made themselves holy (verse 14). The Levites carried the ark on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had commanded (verse 15). God helped the Levites, and all Israel brought the ark up with joy (verses 26 and 28). This teaches that God shows His people how to come near to Him, and that coming His way brings joy. It shows God as holy and kind, because He gives a way to come near to Him. Christ suffered for sins once, to bring sinners to God (1 Peter 3 verse 18).

How does 1 Chronicles 15 show us that God showed Israel how to carry His ark, and that they brought it up with joy?

David said only the Levites should carry the ark.

David prepared a place for the ark and pitched a tent for it (verse 1). He said no one ought to carry God's ark but the Levites (verse 2). The LORD had chosen them to carry it and to minister to Him forever (verse 2).

They did it as Moses had commanded, and God helped them.

The priests and Levites made themselves holy (verse 14). The Levites bore the ark on their shoulders with its poles, as Moses commanded according to the LORD's word (verse 15). God helped the Levites, and they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams (verse 26).

Jesus brings sinners to God.

Peter wrote that Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3 verse 18). He did this to bring sinners to God (1 Peter 3 verse 18). Israel brought the ark up with shouting, trumpets and cymbals (verses 25 and 28). Those who come to God through Jesus have reason for joy.

Memorise

So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy.

1 Chronicles 15:25

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I come to God in His way, through Jesus, with a glad heart?

David said, “No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites,” and they bore it “as Moses commanded.” Then all Israel brought the ark up “with joy.” God chooses the way to come near. Jesus has made that way, for He brings sinners to God (1 Peter 3 verse 18).

Our sin keeps us from God, and no custom of ours can bring us near. On the cross Jesus bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His one sacrifice, made once for all, brings them to God. He rose on the third day, and He lives.

So come to God His way. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. His forgiveness belongs to all who trust Him, and they come to God with joy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God showed Israel how to carry His ark, and that Jesus is the way to God. Parents, verse 29 says Michal despised David in her heart, so please explain it in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He shows His people the way to come near, and that Jesus is that way, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.

Psalm 25:12

Lord God, thank You that You showed Israel how to come near to You, and that Jesus brings sinners to You. Please turn each one of us from sin, so that we trust Him. Help us to worship You with joy this week. Amen.