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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)
繁體中文
約櫃的遷移（主前 1047 年）
¹ 大衛在大衛城為自己建造宮殿，又為神的約櫃預備地方，支搭帳幕。 ² 那時大衛說：除了利未人之外，無人可抬神的約櫃；因為耶和華揀選他們抬神的約櫃，且永遠事奉他。 ³ 大衛招聚以色列眾人到耶路撒冷，要將耶和華的約櫃抬到他所預備的地方。 ⁴ 大衛又聚集亞倫的子孫和利未人。 ⁵ 哥轄子孫中有族長烏列和他的弟兄一百二十人。 ⁶ 米拉利子孫中有族長亞帥雅和他的弟兄二百二十人。 ⁷ 革順子孫中有族長約珥和他的弟兄一百三十人。 ⁸ 以利撒反子孫中有族長示瑪雅和他的弟兄二百人。 ⁹ 希伯崙子孫中有族長以列和他的弟兄八十人。 ¹⁰ 烏薛子孫中有族長亞米拿達和他的弟兄一百一十二人。 ¹¹ 大衛將祭司撒督和亞比亞他，並利未人烏列、亞帥雅、約珥、示瑪雅、以列、亞米拿達召了來， ¹² 對他們說：你們是利未人的族長，你們與你們的弟兄應當自潔，將耶和華─以色列神的約櫃抬到我所預備的地方。 ¹³ 因你們先前沒有抬這約櫃，按定例求問耶和華─我們的神，所以他刑罰我們。 ¹⁴ 於是祭司利未人自潔，好將耶和華─以色列神的約櫃抬上來。 ¹⁵ 利未子孫就用肩，用槓將神的約櫃抬來，正是照耶和華藉摩西所吩咐的話。 ¹⁶ 大衛吩咐利未人的族長派他們弟兄歌唱，用琴、瑟、鈸和號，歡歡喜喜地大聲歌頌。 ¹⁷ 於是利未人派約珥的兒子希幔和他弟兄中比利家的兒子亞薩，並他們族兄米拉利子孫裏古沙雅的兒子以探。 ¹⁸ 其次還有他們的弟兄撒迦利雅、便、雅薛、示米拉末、耶歇、烏尼、以利押、比拿雅、瑪西雅、瑪他提雅、以利斐利、彌基尼雅、俄別以東、耶利，作守門的。 ¹⁹ 這樣，派歌唱的希幔、亞薩、以探敲銅鈸，大發響聲； ²⁰ 派撒迦利雅、雅薛、示米拉末、耶歇、烏尼、以利押、瑪西雅、比拿雅鼓瑟，用女音； ²¹ 又派瑪他提雅、以利斐利、彌基尼雅、俄別以東、耶利、亞撒西雅彈琴領調，用第八音。 ²² 利未人的族長基拿尼雅是歌唱人的首領，又教訓人歌唱，因為他精通此事。 ²³ 比利家、以利加拿作約櫃的守門人。 ²⁴ 祭司示巴尼、約沙法、拿坦業、亞瑪賽、撒迦利雅、比拿雅、以利撒吹號在神的約櫃前；俄別以東和耶希亞也是作約櫃的守門人。
此處記載了將約櫃從俄別以東家迎回大衛城的預備工作。此處承認，在前一次的嘗試中，雖然是一件善工，他們也「尋求神」，卻「沒有按定例求問他」（代上十五13）。「我們行事不夠慎重，所以才落得如此下場。」請注意，我們僅僅行善還不夠，必須行得好──不僅要在合宜的典章中尋求神，更要按著正當的次序尋求他。還要注意，當我們因自己的疏忽失規而受苦之後，當從中學習更加謹守規矩；如此才算是達到了管教的目的。讓我們來看看此事如何得到了改正。
一、大衛這回在迎接約櫃之前，先為它預備了安放之處；如此便是按著正當的次序來尋求。他無暇「建造殿宇」，便為它「支搭帳幕」（代上十五1），可能是按照在山上指示摩西的樣式，或盡可能與之相近，用幔子和木板搭成。注意，當他在大衛城為自己建造宮殿時，也為約櫃預備了地方。請注意，我們無論在何處為自己建造居所，都當確保為神的約櫃騰出空間，就是在自己家中設立敬拜之所。
二、大衛這回吩咐利未人或祭司當用肩抬約櫃。如今他想起了一件他本不該不知的事：除了利未人之外，「無人可抬神的約櫃」（代上十五2）。哥轄子孫在尋常行軍時負責抬約櫃，所以沒有分配車輛給他們，因為他們的職任是「用肩抬」（民七9）。但在特殊的場合，例如過約旦河和繞行耶利哥時，則由祭司來抬。這條規矩原是明文規定的，但大衛自己竟把它忘了，將約櫃放在車上。請注意，即便那些對神的話語極為精通的人，在需要使用之時，也未必總能如願地隨時記起。智者善人也可能犯下疏失，但一經察覺，便會立即改正。大衛並未設法為已犯的過失辯護，也沒有把責任推卸給別人，而是承認自己與眾人同樣有罪，未按正當次序尋求神；如今他不僅像從前（代上十三2）以及現在召集全體以色列人（代上十五3）那樣召集利未人來赴此盛典，更留意確保他們確實聚集（代上十五4），尤其是亞倫的子孫（代上十五11）。他向他們發出莊嚴的囑咐（代上十五12）：「你們是利未人的族長」，所以當將「耶和華的約櫃抬上來」。凡在尊榮上超越他人者，也當在職責上為人表率。「你們是首領，所以對你們的期望比別人更多，無論是你們自己親身服事，還是對其餘之人的影響。你們先前沒有盡本分，既未自己盡責，也未留心教導我們，我們便因此受了苦：『耶和華向我們發作』；我們都因你們的疏忽而受苦；『這是因你們的緣故』（參瑪一9）；所以你們當自潔，並盡心辦理你們的職事。」當那些因行惡而受苦之人如此學會行善之時，管教便算是用得其所了。
三、利未人和祭司自潔了（代上十五14），預備好照律法所定的用肩抬約櫃（代上十五15）。請注意，許多在自己本分上極為懈怠的人，若有人忠實地提醒他們，便會悔改改善。烏撒所遭的擊殺使祭司更加謹慎地自潔，也就是潔除一切禮儀上的污穢，並使自己端莊肅穆地事奉神，好叫百姓心生敬畏。有些人被立為鑑戒，好叫其餘的人成為榜樣，並且格外謹慎。
四、大衛指派了專職人員，預備好以各樣可能的喜樂之情來迎接約櫃（代上十五16）。大衛吩咐利未人的族長提名他們所知精通此道的人來擔任此職。希幔、亞薩和以探此時首次被選立（代上十五17）。他們負責敲鈸（代上十五19），其他人彈瑟（代上十五20），又有人彈琴，用「第八音」（Sheminith），比其餘的高或低八度，按照合奏的規矩（代上十五21）。一些祭司吹號（代上十五24），這是抬約櫃時常有的做法（民十8），也是在莊嚴節期中所行的（詩八十一3）。又有一位被指派專司歌唱（代上十五22），因他精通此事，自己善於歌唱，又能教導別人。請注意，各人既「得了恩賜」，就當「彼此服事」（彼前四10）。凡在任何恩賜上卓越的人，不僅當自己用以造福眾人，也當教導別人，並不吝惜使別人與自己同樣有智慧。以樂器讚美神的這種方式，在此之前並未實行。但大衛身為先知，受感於神設立了此事，並將其加添於那時代其他「屬肉體的條例」之中──使徒如此稱呼它們（來九10）。新約仍然保留唱詩，卻未設立教會音樂。有人被指派作守門的（代上十五18），又有人作約櫃的守門人（代上十五23、24），其中之一便是俄別以東，他無疑視之為尊榮的職分，並以此作為他曾接待約櫃的報答。他曾作了約櫃三個月的管家，甚至可說是它的房東。但當他不能再如此時，他對約櫃的愛慕使他甘願作它的守門人。
²⁵ 於是，大衛和以色列的長老，與千夫長都去從俄別以東的家，歡歡喜喜地將耶和華的約櫃抬上來。 ²⁶ 神幫助了抬耶和華約櫃的利未人，他們就獻上七隻公牛，七隻公羊。 ²⁷ 大衛和抬約櫃的利未人，並歌唱人的首領基拿尼雅，以及歌唱的人，都穿著細麻布的外袍；大衛另外穿著細麻布的以弗得。 ²⁸ 這樣，以色列眾人歡呼吹角、吹號、敲鈸、鼓瑟、彈琴，大發響聲，將耶和華的約櫃抬上來。 ²⁹ 耶和華的約櫃進了大衛城的時候，掃羅的女兒米甲從窗戶裏觀看，見大衛王踴躍跳舞，心裏就輕視他。
將約櫃運往大衛城並在那裏安放的一切預備既已就緒，此處便記載了從俄別以東家起行、將約櫃莊嚴地運送至此的經過。
一、神幫助了抬約櫃的利未人。約櫃並非十分沉重的擔子，以至抬它的人需要甚麼特別的幫助。然而，1. 即或在我們天然能力範圍以內的事上，留意神護理之助也是好的：若神不幫助我們，我們連一步也不能跨出。2. 在一切敬虔的操練中，我們更當特別從天上得著幫助。參徒二十六22。我們一切履行聖潔本分的能力都來自神。3. 利未人記起烏撒遭擊殺之事，抬約櫃時可能戰戰兢兢；但神幫助了他們，就是鼓勵他們，平息他們的恐懼，堅固他們的信心。4. 神幫助他們端莊合宜地完成此事，毫無差錯。我們若能行任何敬虔的本分而不遭擊殺，安然無恙，就當承認這是神在幫助我們；因為若任憑我們自己，我們必會犯下致命的過失。那抬耶和華器皿的神僕在服事中格外需要神的幫助，好使神在他們身上得榮耀，使教會得建造。神若幫助利未人，百姓便因此得益。
二、當他們經歷神與他們同在的憑據時，便向他獻上讚美的祭（代上十五26）。這也是他幫助他們去行的。他們獻上這些公牛和公羊，也許是為先前的過失贖罪，好使那過犯如今不再被記念在他們身上，同時也是為現在所得的幫助獻上感恩。
三、他們用了極大的歡樂表達：奏起聖樂，大衛跳舞，歌唱的人歌唱，百姓呼喊（代上十五27、28）。這事我們在前文已見（撒下六14、15）。由此可以學到，1. 我們所事奉的是良善的主，他喜悅僕人在工作時歌唱。2. 公開改革之時，也當是、也理當是公開歡樂之時。那些不因約櫃歡喜的人，不配得著約櫃。3. 最偉大的人表現出對敬虔之工的熱心，一點也不有損其身分。米甲確實輕視大衛（代上十五29）；但她的輕視絲毫未使他變得可鄙；他自己並不放在心上，凡是智慧良善的人（我們何必貪求除此以外之人的尊敬呢？）也沒有因此而輕看他。
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.
將約櫃迎進大衛城是一件極美善的工作；這事已經議定（代上十三4），也曾嘗試過，卻未完成；約櫃被留在路上的俄別以東家中。如今本章記述這件善工如何得以完成。一、這次作得比從前更為按規矩：1. 為它預備了一個地方（代上十五1）。2. 吩咐祭司來抬它（代上十五2–15）。3. 利未人受派在它面前伺候的職任（代上十五16–24）。二、這次作得比從前更為順利（代上十五25）：1. 利未人在他們的職任上沒有失誤（代上十五26）。2. 大衛和百姓在他們的喜樂中未受打擊（代上十五27–28）。至於米甲輕視大衛，那算不得甚麼（代上十五29）。