The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 15

This chapter tells how David gathered the Levites to carry the ark properly on their shoulders as Moses had commanded, appointed singers and musicians for the procession, and brought the ark up to Jerusalem with rejoicing, though Michal despised David for dancing before it.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonWHEN David had built houses for himself in the city of David, and prepared the place for the ark of God, and made for it a tabernacle:

BrentonAnd David made for himself houses in the city of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and made a tent for it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ οἰκίας ἐν πόλει Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἡτοίμασε τὸν τόπον τῇ κιβωτῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτῇ σκηνήν.

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

JPSAnd [David] made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

Thomsonthen David said, None but the Levites ought to carry the ark of God; for the Lord hath chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to Him forever.

BrentonThen said David, It is not lawful for any to bear the ark of God, but the Levites; for the Lord has chosen them to bear the ark of the Lord, and to minister to him for ever.

GreekΤότε εἶπε Δαυὶδ, οὐκ ἔστιν ἆραι τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀλλʼ ἢ τοὺς Λευίτας, ὅτι αὐτοὺς ἐξελέξατο Κύριος αἴρειν τὴν κιβωτὸν Κυρίου, καὶ λειτουργεῖν αὐτῷ ἕως αἰῶνος.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen David said: ‘None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of the LORD, and to minister unto Him for ever.’

ThomsonSo when David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring the ark of the Lord to the place which he had prepared for it,

BrentonAnd David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place which he had prepared for it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξεκκλησίασε Δαυὶδ τὸν πάντα Ἰσραὴλ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, τοῦ ἀνενέγκαι τὴν κιβωτὸν Κυρίου εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν ἡτοίμασεν αὐτῇ.

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

JPSAnd David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto its place, which he had prepared for it.

Thomsonhe assembled the sons of Aaron, the Levites,

BrentonAnd David gathered together the sons of Aaron the Levites.

GreekΚαὶ συνήγαγε Δαυὶδ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἀαρὼν τοὺς Λευίτας.

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

JPSAnd David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites;

Thomsonof the Kaathites, Uriel the chief and his brethren, a hundred and twenty;

BrentonOf the sons of Caath; there was Uriel the chief, and his brethren, a hundred and twenty.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Καὰθ, Οὐριὴλ ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι.

KJVOf the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:

JPSof the sons of Kohath: Uriel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twenty;

Thomsonof the Merarites, Asaia the chief and his brethren, two hundred and twenty;

BrentonOf the sons of Merari; Asaia the chief, and his brethren, two hundred and twenty.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Μεραρὶ, Ἀσαΐα ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, διακόσιοι εἴκοσι.

KJVOf the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:

JPSof the sons of Merari: Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty;

Thomsonof the Gersonites, Joel the chief and his brethren, a hundred and thirty;

BrentonOf the sons of Gedson; Joel the chief, and his brethren, a hundred and thirty.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Γεδσὼν, Ἰωὴλ ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, ἑκατὸν τριάκοντα·

KJVOf the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:

JPSof the sons of Gershom: Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty;

Thomsonof the sons of Elisaphat, Semei, the chief and his brethren, two hundred;

BrentonOf the sons of Elisaphat; Semei the chief, and his brethren, two hundred.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Ἐλισαφὰτ, Σεμεῒ ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, διακόσιοι.

KJVOf the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

JPSof the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred;

Thomsonof the sons of Chebron, Eliel the chief and his brethren, eighty;

BrentonOf the sons of Chebrom; Eliel the chief, and his brethren eighty.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Χεβρὼμ, Ἐλιὴλ ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, ὀγδοήκοντα.

KJVOf the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

JPSof the sons of Hebron: Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore;

Thomsonof the sons of Oziel, Aminadab the chief and his brethren, a hundred and twelve.

BrentonOf the sons of Oziel; Aminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve.

GreekΤῶν υἱῶν Ὀζιὴλ, Ἀμιναδὰβ ὁ ἄρχων καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, ἑκατὸν δεκαδύο.

KJVOf the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.

JPSof the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve.

ThomsonAnd David sent for Sadok, and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, Uriel, Asaia and Joel, and Semaia and Eliel, and Aminadab,

BrentonAnd David called Sadoc and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites, Uriel, Asaia, and Joel, and Semaia, and Eliel, and Aminadab,

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσε Δαυὶδ τὸν Σαδὼκ καὶ Ἀβιάθαρ τοὺς ἱερεῖς, καὶ τοὺς Λευίτας, τὸν Οὐριὴλ, Ἀσαΐαν, καὶ Ἰωὴλ, καὶ Σεμαίαν, καὶ Ἐλιὴλ, καὶ Ἀμιναδὰβ,

KJVAnd David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

JPSAnd David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

Thomsonand said to them, You chiefs of the families of the Levites, purify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may carry up the ark of the God of Israel to the place which I have prepared for it;

Brentonand said to them, Ye are the heads of the families of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, and ye shall carry up the ark of the God of Israel, to the place which I have prepared for it.

Greekκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ὑμεῖς ἄρχοντες πατριῶν τῶν Λευιτῶν, ἁγνίσθητε ὑμεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀνοίσετε τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, οὗ ἡτοίμασα αὐτῇ·

KJVAnd said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

JPSand said unto them: ‘Ye are the heads of the fathers’houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it.

Thomsonfor because you did not do this on the former occasion, our God made a breach among us, because we did not seek him with judgment.

BrentonFor because ye were not ready at the first, our God made a breach upon us, because we sought him not according to the ordinance.

GreekὍτι οὐκ ἐν τῷ πρότερον ὑμᾶς εἶναι, διέκοψεν ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὅτι οὐκ ἐξεζητήσαμεν ἐν κρίματι.

KJVFor because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

JPSFor because ye [bore it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought Him not according to the ordinance.’

ThomsonSo when the priests and the Levites had purified themselves to carry the ark of the God of Israel,

BrentonSo the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves, to bring up the ark of the God of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἡγνίσθησαν οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται, τοῦ ἀνενέγκαι τὴν κιβωτὸν Θεοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVSo the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

JPSSo the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Thomsonthe Levites took up the ark of God, as Moses had by the word of the Lord ordered in writing, with the staves on their shoulders.

BrentonAnd the sons of the Levites took the ark of God, (as Moses commanded by the word of God according to the scripture) upon their shoulders with staves.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβον οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς ἐν λόγῳ Θεοῦ κατὰ τὴν γραφὴν, ἐν ἀναφορεῦσιν ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

KJVAnd the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

JPSAnd the children of the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the bars thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

ThomsonNow David had said to the chiefs of the Levites, Appoint your brethren, such as play on musical instruments, on lutes and harps, and cymbals, that they may make a loud sound with the voice of joy.

BrentonAnd David said to the chiefs of the Levites, Set your brethren the singers with musical instruments, lutes, harps, and cymbals, to sound aloud with a voice of joy.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δανὶδ τοῖς ἄρχουσι τῶν Λευιτῶν, στήσατε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν τοὺς ψαλτῳδοὺς ἐν ὀργάνοις, νάβλαις, κινύραις, καὶ κυμβάλοις τοῦ φωνῆσαι εἰς ὕψος ἐν φωνῇ εὐφροσύνης.

KJVAnd David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

JPSAnd David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.

ThomsonAnd the Levites had appointed Aiman son of Joel and of his brethren, Asaph son of Barachia, and of the sons of Merari his brethren, Aithan the son of Kisias

BrentonSo the Levites appointed Æman the son of Joel; Asaph the son of Barachias was one of his brethren; and Æthan the son of Kisæus was of the sons of Merari their brethren;

GreekΚαὶ ἔστησαν οἱ Λευῖται τὸν Αἰμὰν υἱὸν Ἰωήλ· ἐκ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ Ἀσὰφ υἱὸς Βαραχία· καὶ ἐκ τῶν νἱῶν Μεραρὶ ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ Αἰθὰν υἱὸς Κισαίου·

KJVSo the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

JPSSo the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

Thomsonand with them their brethren of the second rank, Zacharias and Oziel, and Semiramoth and Jeiel, and Elioel and Eliab, and Banaia and Maasaia, and Matthathia and Eliphena, and Makellia and Abdedom, and Jeiel and Ozias, the keepers of the gates;

Brentonand with them their brethren of the second rank, Zacharias, and Oziel, and Semiramoth, and Jeiel, and Elioel, and Eliab, and Banaia, and Maasaia, and Matthathia, and Eliphena, and Makellia, and Abdedom, and Jeiel, and Ozias, the porters.

GreekΚαὶ μετʼ αὐτῶν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν οἱ δεύτεροι, Ζαχαρίας, καὶ Ὀζιὴλ, καὶ Σεμιραμὼθ, καὶ Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ἐλιωὴλ, καὶ Ἐλιὰβ, καὶ Βαναία, καὶ Μαασαΐα, καὶ Ματθαθία, καὶ Ἐλιφενὰ, καὶ Μακελλία, καὶ Ἀβδεδὸμ, καὶ Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ὀζίας, οἱ πυλωροί.·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the singers, Æman, Asaph, and Æthan, with brazen cymbals to make a sound to be heard.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ψαλτῳδοὶ, Αἰμὰν, Ἀσὰφ, καὶ Αἰθὰν ἐν κυμβάλοις χαλκοῖς τοῦ ἀκουσθῆναι ποιῆσαι.

KJVSo the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

JPSSo the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan [, were appointed], with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;

Thomsonand Zacharias and Oziel, Semiramoth, Jeiel; Oni, Eliab, Maasias, Banias, on lutes in the mode alaimoth;

BrentonZacharias, and Oziel, Semiramoth, Jeiel, Oni, Eliab, Maasæas, Banæas, with lutes, on alæmoth.

GreekΖαχαρίας, καὶ Ὀζιὴλ, Σεμιραμὼθ, Ἰεϊὴλ, Ὠνι, Ἐλιὰβ, Μαασαίας, Βαναίας ἐν νάβλαις ἐπὶ ἀλαιμώθ.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonand Mattathias and Eliphalu, and Makenia and Abdedom, and Jeiel and Ozias, on harps in the eighth mode, amasenith to give a strong sound.

BrentonAnd Mattathias, and Eliphalu, and Makenia, and Abdedom, and Jeiel, and Ozias, with harps of Amasenith, to make a loud noise.

GreekΚαὶ Ματταθίας, καὶ Ἐλιφαλοὺ, καὶ Μακενία, καὶ Ἀβδεδὸμ, καὶ Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ὀζίας ἐν κινύραις ἁμασενὶθ τοῦ ἐνισχῦσαι.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd Chononias, a chief of the Levites, was master of the odes, for he was skilled therein.

BrentonAnd Chonenia chief of the Levites was master of the bands, because he was skilful.

GreekΚαὶ Χωνενία ἄρχων τῶν Λευιτῶν ἄρχων τῶν ᾠδῶν, ὅτι συνετὸς ἦν.

KJVAnd Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

JPSAnd Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song; he was master in the song, because he was skilful.

ThomsonAnd Barachia and Elkana were doorkeepers of the ark.

BrentonAnd Barachia and Elcana were door-keepers of the ark.

GreekΚαὶ Βαραχία καὶ Ἐλκανὰ πυλωροὶ τῆς κιβωτοῦ.

KJVAnd Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

JPSAnd Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark.

ThomsonAnd Somnia and Josaphat, and Nathaniel and Amasai, and Zacharia and Banaia, and Eliezer the priests, sounded the trumpets before the ark of God. And Abdedom and Jeia were doorkeepers of the ark of God.

BrentonAnd Somnia, and Josaphat, and Nathanael, and Amasai, and Zacharia, and Banæa, and Eliezer, the priests, were sounding with trumpets before the ark of God: and Abdedom and Jeia were door-keepers of the ark of God.

GreekΚαὶ Σομνία, καὶ Ἰωσαφὰτ, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ, καὶ Ἀμασαῒ, καὶ Ζαχαρία, καὶ Βαναΐα, καὶ Ἐλιέζερ οἱ ἱερεῖς σαλπίζοντες ταῖς σάλπιγξιν ἔμπροσθεν τῆς κιβωτοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ Ἀβδεδὸμ καὶ Ἰεΐα πυλωροὶ τῆς κιβωτοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVAnd Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

JPSAnd Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

ThomsonAnd David with the elders of Israel and the captains of thousands, marched before when they were bringing up the ark of the covenant from the house of Abdedom with joy.

BrentonSo David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains of thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant from the house of Abdedom with gladness.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ἰσραὴλ καὶ οἱ χιλίαρχοι οἱ πορευόμενοι τοῦ ἀναγαγεῖν τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης ἐξ οἴκου Ἀβδεδὸμ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ.

KJVSo David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.

JPSSo David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.

ThomsonAnd because God strengthened the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, therefore they sacrificed each seven bulls and seven rams.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when God strengthened the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they sacrificed seven calves and seven rams.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατισχῦσαι τὸν Θεὸν τοὺς Λευίτας αἴροντας τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης Κυρίου, καὶ ἔθυσαν ἀνʼ ἑπτὰ μόσχους, καὶ ἀνʼ ἑπτὰ κριούς.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams.

ThomsonNow David was girded in a cotton stole, as were all the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the musicians and Chonenias the chief of the singers. And when David in his cotton stole,

BrentonAnd David was girt with a fine linen robe, and all the Levites who were bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the singers, and Chonenias the master of the band of singers; also upon David there was a robe of fine linen.

GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ περιεζωσμένος ἐν στολῇ βυσσίνῃ, καὶ πάντες οἱ Λευῖται αἴροντες τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης Κυρίου, καὶ οἱ ψαλτῳδοὶ, καὶ Χωνενίας ὁ ἄρχων τῶν ᾠδῶν τῶν ᾀδόντων, καὶ ἐπὶ Δαυὶδ στολὴ βυσσίνη.

KJVAnd David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.

JPSAnd David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the singers in the song; and David had upon him an ephod of linen.

Thomsonand all Israel were bringing up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting and the sound of clarions and trumpets, answered by lutes and harps,

BrentonAnd all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of a horn, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, playing loudly on lutes and harps.

GreekΚαὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἀνάγοντες τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης Κυρίου ἐν σημασίᾳ, καὶ ἐν φωνῇ σωφὲρ, καὶ ἐν σάλπιγξι, καὶ ἐν κυμβάλοις, ἀναφωνοῦντες ἐν νάβλαις καὶ ἐν κινύραις.

KJVThus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

JPSThus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the horn, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with psalteries and harps.

Thomsonit happened that when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Melchol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

BrentonAnd the ark of the covenant of the Lord arrived, and came to the city of David; and Melchol the daughter of Saul looked down through the window, and saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κιβωτὸς διαθήκης Κυρίου, καὶ ἦλθεν ἕως πόλεως Δαυίδ· καὶ Μελχὸλ ἡ θυγάτηρ Σαοὺλ παρέκυψε διὰ τῆς θυρίδος, καὶ εἶδε τὸν βασιλέα Δαυὶδ ὀρχούμενον καὶ παίζοντα, καὶ ἐξουδένωσεν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

JPSAnd it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and making merry; and she despised him in her heart.