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英文原文
The bringing in of the ark to the city of David was a very good work; it was resolved upon (1Ch 13:4), and attempted, but not perfected; it lay by the way in the house of Obed-edom. Now this chapter gives us an account of the completing of that good work. I. How it was done more regularly than before. 1. A place was prepared for it, 1Ch 15:1. 2. The priests were ordered to carry it, 1Ch 15:2-15. 3. The Levites had their offices assigned them in attending on it, 1Ch 15:16-24. II. How it was done more successfully than before, 1Ch 15:25. 1. The Levites made no mistake in their work, 1Ch 15:26. 2. David and the people met with no damp upon their joy, 1Ch 15:27,28. As for Michal's despising David, it was nothing, 1Ch 15:29.
1-29
The Removal of the Ark (1047 BC)
约柜的迁移（主前1047年）
¹ 大卫在大卫城里为自己建造宫殿，又为神的约柜预备地方，支搭帐幕。 ² 那时大卫说：除了利未人之外，无人可抬神的约柜；因为耶和华拣选了他们抬神的约柜，永远伺候他。 ³ 大卫招聚以色列众人到耶路撒冷，要将耶和华的约柜抬到他所预备的地方。 ⁴ 大卫又招聚亚伦的子孙和利未人： ⁵ 哥辖子孙中有首领乌列和他的弟兄一百二十人； ⁶ 米拉利子孙中有首领亚帅雅和他的弟兄二百二十人； ⁷ 革顺子孙中有首领约珥和他的弟兄一百三十人； ⁸ 以利撒反子孙中有首领示玛雅和他的弟兄二百人； ⁹ 希伯伦子孙中有首领以列和他的弟兄八十人； ¹⁰ 乌薛子孙中有首领亚米拿达和他的弟兄一百一十二人。 ¹¹ 大卫召了祭司撒督和亚比亚他，以及利未人乌列、亚帅雅、约珥、示玛雅、以列、亚米拿达来， ¹² 对他们说：你们是利未人的族长；你们和你们的弟兄应当自洁，好将耶和华以色列神的约柜抬到我所预备的地方。 ¹³ 因你们先前没有抬约柜，也没有按所当行的寻求耶和华我们的神，所以他使灾祸临到我们。 ¹⁴ 于是祭司和利未人为要抬耶和华以色列神的约柜，便自洁。 ¹⁵ 利未子孙用肩抬神的约柜，正如耶和华借摩西所吩咐的，照耶和华的话，用杠穿在两旁。 ¹⁶ 大卫吩咐利未人的首领，派他们的弟兄作歌唱的，用琴、瑟、钹各种乐器，欢欢喜喜地扬声。 ¹⁷ 于是利未人派约珥的儿子希幔，并他弟兄中比利家的儿子亚萨，以及他们弟兄米拉利子孙中古沙雅的儿子以探。 ¹⁸ 其次还有他们的弟兄撒迦利、便、雅西业、示米拉末、耶歇、乌尼、以利押、比拿雅、玛西雅、玛他提雅、以利斐利、弥基尼雅、俄别以东、耶叶作守门的。 ¹⁹ 这样，歌唱的希幔、亚萨、以探被派敲铜钹， ²⁰ 撒迦利、亚薛、示米拉末、耶歇、乌尼、以利押、玛西雅、比拿雅用瑟，照女音歌唱； ²¹ 玛他提雅、以利斐利、弥基尼雅、俄别以东、耶叶、亚撒西雅弹琴，调用八度，引人歌唱。 ²² 利未人的首领基拿尼雅专管歌唱，又教训人歌唱，因为他精通此事。 ²³ 比利家、以利加拿作约柜前的守门者。 ²⁴ 祭司示巴尼、约沙法、尼坦业、亚玛赛、撒迦利、比拿雅、以利则在神的约柜前吹号；俄别以东和耶希雅也是约柜前的守门者。
此处为将约柜从俄别以东家迎回大卫城作了预备。此处承认，前一次尝试虽然是一件很好的善工，并在其中寻求了神，却没有按所当行的寻求他（代上15:13）。我们没有用心去作这工，所以才会那样不顺遂。 注意：我们仅仅行善是不够的，还必须行得好——仅仅在所当行的条例中寻求神是不够的，还必须按所当行的次序寻求他。又当注意：当我们因自己的失规受苦之后，便当因此学习更加规矩；那时我们才算达到了受惩治的目的。让我们看这事如何得了纠正。一、大卫如今在迎接约柜之前，先为它预备了地方；如此他便按着当行的次序而行。他没有时间建造房屋，却为它支搭帐幕（代上15:1）——大概是按着在山上所指示摩西的样式，或尽量相近，用幔子和木板。当观察：当他在大卫城里为自己建造房屋时，他为约柜预备了地方。注意：无论我们在哪里为自己建造，都当务必为神的约柜留出地位——为家中的教会。二、大卫如今吩咐利未人或祭司当用肩抬约柜。此时他记起一件他从前不可能不知道的事：除了利未人，无人可抬约柜（代上15:2）。哥辖人在寻常行军中抬约柜，所以没有分给他们牛车，因为他们的工是用肩抬（民7:9）。但在特别的场合——如过约旦河、围绕耶利哥时——却由祭司来抬。这条规则是明定的，大卫自己却忘了它，把约柜放在车上。注意：即使在神的话语上极有见识的人，在需要使用之时，那些话语也不总是如人所愿地现成可用。智慧和良善的人也可能犯疏忽之失，一旦察觉，便要改正。大卫没有试图为所行的错事辩护，也没有把责任推给别人，而是承认自己与众人同有没有按当行的次序寻求神之罪，如今不仅留意召集利未人参与这庄严的事——如他召聚全以色列那样（代上15:3），又如先前所作的（代上13:2）——更留意使他们集合（代上15:4），尤其是亚伦的子孙（代上15:11）。他向他们发出庄严的嘱托（代上15:12）：你们是利未人的族长，所以当将耶和华的约柜抬上来。 凡在尊荣上被高举于别人之上的，也当在本分上走在别人之前，这是人所期待的。你们是首领，所以比众人更指望你们——既自己在事奉上尽心，也以其影响力带动众人。你们先前没有如此行——你们自己没有尽本分，也没有尽心指教我们，我们因此受了苦：耶和华使灾祸临到我们；我们都因你们的疏忽受了亏损；这事是因你们而来的（参玛1:9）——所以你们当自洁，专心办你们的事。 当那些因行错而受苦的人如此学会行得更好时，那管教便是用得其所。三、利未人和祭司自洁（代上15:14），准备照律法的规定用肩抬约柜（代上15:15）。注意：许多在自己本分上极其疏忽的人，若有人忠实地提醒他们，便会改过行善。临到乌撒的灾祸使祭司更加小心自洁——就是洁净自己脱离一切礼仪上的污秽，并使自己专注于对神的庄严事奉，好在百姓心中激起敬畏。有些人被作为鉴戒，为要使别人成为可效法的榜样，并格外谨慎。四、派有官长准备以一切可能表达喜乐的方式来迎接约柜（代上15:16）。大卫吩咐利未人的首领，提名他们所知道精通此道的人作这伺候。希幔、亚萨、以探如今初次被派（代上15:17）。他们承担敲钹的事（代上15:19），另有人用瑟（代上15:20），又有人用琴——调用八度，比众人高八度或低八度，按合奏的规则而行（代上15:21）。其中有些是祭司的，吹号（代上15:24），如在约柜迁移时寻常所作的（民10:8），又在庄严的节期所作的（诗81:3）。又有一人被派为歌唱的首领（代上15:22），因他精通此事——自己能唱得好，又能教导别人。注意：各人既得了恩赐，就当照样事奉（彼前4:10）。那些在某种才干上卓越的，不仅当自己用它为共同的益处，也当教导别人，并不吝惜使别人与自己一样有智慧。这种借乐器颂赞神的方式，从前并未使用。但大卫既为先知，便按神的指示设立了它，并把它加添到那个时代其余的属肉体的条例之中——使徒如此称呼它们（来9:10）。新约维持诗篇的歌唱，却未设立教会音乐。有人被派作守门的（代上15:18），又有人作约柜前的守门者（代上15:23-24），其中之一便是俄别以东——他无疑以此为尊位，并接受它作为他款待约柜的报偿。他作了三个月约柜的管家，其实更是它的房东。但当他不能再作这事之时，他对约柜的情感如此之深，以致他乐意作它的守门者。
²⁵ 于是大卫和以色列的长老以及千夫长，欢欢喜喜地从俄别以东家将耶和华的约柜抬上来。 ²⁶ 神帮助抬耶和华约柜的利未人，他们便献上公牛七只、公绵羊七只。 ²⁷ 大卫穿着细麻布的以弗得；所有抬约柜的利未人、歌唱的人，以及歌唱的统领基拿尼雅，也都是如此；大卫也穿着细麻布的以弗得。 ²⁸ 这样，全以色列欢呼吹角、吹号、敲钹，用瑟、琴大声奏乐，将耶和华的约柜抬上来。 ²⁹ 耶和华的约柜进了大卫城的时候，扫罗的女儿米甲从窗户里观看，见大卫王踊跃跳舞，心里就轻视他。
抬约柜到大卫城、并在此迎接约柜的一切准备就绪之后，我们在此看到这约柜从俄别以东家被抬上来的庄严情形。
I. 神帮助了抬约柜的利未人。约柜的分量并不十分重大，使抬它的人需要格外的帮助。但：一、即使在我们天然能力范围之内的事上，留心神护理的帮助也是好的：若非神帮助我们，我们便一步不能动。二、在我们一切宗教操练中，我们特别要从天上得着帮助。参徒26:22。我们对圣洁本分的一切足以胜任之处，都是从神而来。三、利未人记念临到乌撒的灾祸，可能在抬起约柜时容易发颤；但神帮助他们——即他鼓励他们去行，止息他们的畏惧，坚固他们的信心。四、神帮助他们端庄合宜地去行，并不犯任何错误。我们若行了什么宗教本分，得以免了灾祸、保全性命，就当承认是神帮助我们；因为若被撇下不管，我们必犯下致命的疏失。作神器皿的管家、事奉神的人，在他们事奉之时格外需要神的帮助，好叫神在他们里面得着荣耀，他的教会得着造就。神若帮助利未人，百姓便因此得益。
II. 当他们经历了神与他们同在的凭据，便向他献上赞美的祭（代上15:26）。这事也是他帮助他们去行的。他们献上这些公牛和公绵羊，或许是为从前的过失赎罪，使那过失如今不再被记念，也为所领受的帮助献上感恩。
III. 用了极大的喜乐的表达：圣乐奏响，大卫跳舞，歌唱的人歌唱，百姓欢呼（代上15:27-28）。这事我们从前已有，记于撒下6:14-15。由此当学：一、我们事奉的是一位好主人，他喜悦仆人在工作时歌唱。二、公开改革之时，是、也应当是公开欢喜之时。对约柜不以为乐的人，不配得着约柜。三、最伟大的人在虔诚的操练上显出热心，并无损他们的身份。米甲确实轻视大卫（代上15:29）；但她轻视他丝毫未使他成为可鄙；他自己并不在意，凡有智慧、虔诚的人——除了这样的人的尊重，我们又何必贪求？——也未因此轻看他。
英文原文
The Removal of the Ark (1047 BC)
¹ And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
² Then 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.
³ 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.
⁴ And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
⁵ Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:
⁶ Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
⁷ Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:
⁸ Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
⁹ Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
¹⁰ Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve.
¹¹ And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
¹² And 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.
¹³ For 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.
¹⁴ So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
¹⁵ And 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.
¹⁶ And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
¹⁷ So 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;
¹⁸ And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
¹⁹ So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
²⁰ And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
²¹ And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
²² And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.
²³ And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
²⁴ And 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 Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
Preparation is here made for the bringing of the ark home to the city of David from the house of Obed-edom. It is here owned that in the former attempt, though it was a very good work and in it they sought God, yet they sought him, not after the due order, 1Ch 15:13. "We did not go about our work considerately; and therefore we sped so ill." Note, It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well—not enough that we seek God in a due ordinance, but we must seek after him, in a due order. Note, also, When we have suffered for our irregularities we must learn thereby to be more regular; then we answer the end of chastisement. Let us see how the matter was mended. 1. David now prepared a place for the reception of the ark, before he brought it to him; and thus he sought in the due order. He had not time to build a house, but he pitched a tent for it (1Ch 15:1), probably according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount, or as near it as might be, of curtains and boards. Observe, When he made houses for himself in the city of David he prepared a place for the ark. Note, Wherever we build for ourselves, we must be sure to make room for God's ark, for a church in the house. 2. David now ordered that the Levites or priests should carry the ark upon their shoulders. Now he bethought himself of that which he could not but know before, that, none ought to carry the ark but the Levites, 1Ch 15:2. The Kohathites carried it in their ordinary marches, and therefore had no wagons allotted them, because their work was to bear upon their shoulders, Nu 7:9. But upon extraordinary occasions, as when they passed Jordan and compassed Jericho, the priests carried it. This rule was express, and yet David himself forgot it, and put the ark upon a cart. Note, Even those that are very knowing in the word of God, yet have it not always so ready to them as were to be wished when they have occasion to use it. Wise and good men may be guilty of an oversight, which, as soon as they are aware of, they will correct. David did not go about to justify what had been done amiss, nor to lay the blame on others, but owned himself guilty, with others, of not seeking God in a due order, and now took care not only to summon the Levites to the solemnity, as he did all Israel (1Ch 15:3), and had done before (1Ch 13:2), but to see that they assembled (1Ch 15:4), especially the sons of Aaron, 1Ch 15:11. To them he gives the solemn charge (1Ch 15:12): You are the chief of the fathers of the Levites, therefore do you bring up the ark of the Lord. It is expected that those who are advanced above others in dignity should go before others in duty. "You are the chief, and therefore more is expected from you than from others, both by way of service yourselves and influence on the rest. You did it not at first, neither did your duty yourselves nor took care to instruct us, and we smarted for it: The Lord made a breach upon us; we have all smarted for your neglect; this has been by your means (see Mal 1:9): therefore sanctify yourselves, and mind your business." When those that have suffered for doing ill thus learn to do better the correction is well bestowed. 3. The Levites and priests sanctified themselves (1Ch 15:14) and were ready to carry the ark on their shoulders, according to the law, 1Ch 15:15. Note, Many that are very remiss in their duty, if they were but faithfully told of it, would reform and do better. The breach upon Uzza made the priests more careful to sanctify themselves, that is, to cleanse themselves from all ceremonial pollution and to compose themselves for the solemn service of God, so as to strike a reverence upon the people. Some are made examples, that others may be made exemplary and very cautious. 4. Officers were appointed to be ready to bid the ark welcome, with every possible expression of joy, 1Ch 15:16. David ordered the chief of the Levites to nominate those that they knew to be proficients for this service. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were now first appointed, 1Ch 15:17. They undertook to sound with symbols (1Ch 15:19), others with psalteries (1Ch 15:20), others with harps, on the Sheminith, or eighth, eight notes higher or lower than the rest, according to the rules of the concert, 1Ch 15:21. Some that were priests blew with the trumpet (1Ch 15:24), as was usual at the removal of the ark (Nu 10:8) and at solemn feasts, Ps 81:3. And one was appointed for song (1Ch 15:22), for he was skilful in it, could sing well himself and instruct others. Note, As every man has received the gift, so he ought to minister the same, 1Pe 4:10. And those that excel in any endowment should not only use it for the common good themselves, but teach others also, and not grudge to make others as wise as themselves. This way of praising God by musical instruments had not hitherto been in use. But David, being a prophet, instituted it by divine direction, and added it to the other carnal ordinances of that dispensation, as the apostle calls them, Heb 9:10. The New Testament keeps up singing of psalms, but has not appointed church-music. Some were appointed to be porters (1Ch 15:18), others door-keepers for the ark (1Ch 15:23,24), and one of these was Obed-edom, who reckoned it no doubt a place of honour, and accepted it as recompence for the entertainment he had given to the ark. He had been for three months housekeeper to the ark, and indeed its landlord. But, when he might not be so any longer, such an affection had he for it that he was glad to be its door-keeper.
²⁵ So 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.
²⁶ And 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.
²⁷ And 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.
²⁸ Thus 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.
²⁹ And 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.
All things being got ready for the carrying of the ark to the city of David, and its reception there, we have here an account of the solemnity of this conveyance thither from the house of Obed-edom.
I. God helped the Levites that carried it. The ark was no very great burden, that those who carried it needed any extraordinary help. But, 1. It is good to take notice of the assistance of the divine providence even in those things that fall within the compass of our natural powers: if God did not help us, we could not stir a step. 2. In all our religious exercises we must particularly derive help from heaven. See Ac 26:22. All our sufficiency for holy duties is from God. 3. The Levites, remembering the breach upon Uzza, were probably ready to tremble when they took up the ark; but God helped them, that is, he encouraged them to it, silenced their fears, and strengthened their faith. 4. God helped them to do it decently and well, and without making any mistake. If we perform any religious duties so as to escape a breach, and come off with our lives, we must own it is God that helps us; for, if left to ourselves, we should be guilty of some fatal miscarriages. God's ministers that bear the vessels of the Lord have special need of divine help in their ministrations, that God in them may be glorified and his church edified. And, if God help the Levites, the people have the benefit of it.
II. When they experienced the tokens of God's presence with them they offered sacrifices of praise to him, 1Ch 15:26. This also he helped them to do. They offered these bullocks and rams perhaps by way of atonement for the former error, that it might not now be remembered against them, as well as by way of acknowledgment for the help now received.
III. There were great expressions of rejoicing used: the sacred music was played, David danced, the singers sang, and the common people shouted, 1Ch 15:27,28. This we had before, 2Sa 6:14,15. Learn hence, 1. That we serve a good master, who delights to have his servants sing at their work. 2. That times of public reformation 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 (1Ch 15:29); but her 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.
将约柜运进大卫城是一件极美善的工；此事早已议定（代上13:4），也曾付诸行动，却未竟全功——约柜被搁置在途中俄别以东的家中。本章记述了这项善工的完成。I. 此事如何比先前更有规法地行出。1. 为约柜预备了地方，代上15:1。2. 吩咐祭司来抬约柜，代上15:2-15。3. 利未人被分派在约柜前供职的职任，代上15:16-24。II. 此事如何比先前更为顺利，代上15:25。1. 利未人在职务上没有差错，代上15:26。2. 大卫和百姓的喜乐未受任何挫折，代上15:27-28。至于米甲藐视大卫一事，那算不得什么，代上15:29。