1 Chronicles 15:2

2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever.”

1 Chronicles 15:2 in Other Translations

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.

2 Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.

2 Then he commanded, “No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to serve him forever.”

2 Then David gave orders: "No one carries the Chest of God except the Levites; God designated them and them only to carry the Chest of God and be available full time for service in the work of worship."

2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath Jehovah chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

2 Then David insisted that only the Levites carry God's ark because the LORD had chosen them to carry his ark and to serve him forever.

2 Then David said, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord has chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before Him forever."

2 He said, "Only Levites can carry the ark of God. That's because the LORD chose them to carry his ark. He chose them to serve him forever in front of the place where his throne is."

1 Chronicles 15:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 15:2

Then David said
Either within himself, or to his ministers and courtiers about him:

none ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites;
he saw his former mistake in employing those that were not Levites in bringing up the ark from Kirjathjearim, and bringing it in a cart, and not on the shoulders of the Levites, and so miscarried in his attempt, ( 2 Samuel 6:1 ) and, perhaps, had since more diligently consulted the law of God about this matter:

for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister
unto him for ever;
as long as the Levitical dispensation lasted, as appears from ( Numbers 1:50 ) ( 4:15 ) ( 7:9 ) .

1 Chronicles 15:2 In-Context

1 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.

2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever.”

3 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.

4 He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:

5 From the descendants of Kohath, Uriel the leader and 120 relatives;

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 3:6; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 31:25; 2 Chronicles 5:5
• 2. S Deuteronomy 31:9
• 3. 1 Chronicles 16:4; 1 Chronicles 23:13; 2 Chronicles 29:11; 2 Chronicles 31:2; Psalms 134:1; Psalms 135:2