1 Chronicles 15:3

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּקְהֵ֥ל gathered H6950
וַיַּקְהֵ֥ל gathered
Strong's: H6950
Word #: 1 of 16
to convoke
דָּוִ֛יד And David H1732
דָּוִ֛יד And David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 2 of 16
david, the youngest son of jesse
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל all Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל all Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם to Jerusalem H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם to Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 7 of 16
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לְהַֽעֲלוֹת֙ to bring up H5927
לְהַֽעֲלוֹת֙ to bring up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 8 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֣וֹן the ark H727
אֲר֣וֹן the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 10 of 16
a box
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
מְקוֹמ֖וֹ unto his place H4725
מְקוֹמ֖וֹ unto his place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 13 of 16
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)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵכִ֥ין which he had prepared H3559
הֵכִ֥ין which he had prepared
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 15 of 16
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 16

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection