1 Chronicles 15 | |
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![]() The complete Hebrew text of the Books of Chronicles (1 and 2 Chronicles) in the Leningrad Codex (1008 CE). | |
Book | Books of Chronicles |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 13 |
1 Chronicles 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2] The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE.[3] This chapter contains the account of successful transportation of the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David in Jerusalem.[4] The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David (1 Chronicles 9:35 to 29:30).[1]
This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 29 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[5]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[6]
This section combines the account in 2 Samuel 6:12–15 with a list of participating priests and Levites (verses 4–10) to highlight their roles in carrying the ark ( as prescribed in the Torah: Deuteronomy 10:8; 31:25).[8] The three traditional priest families, Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, listed in a different order, together with the families of Hebron and Uzziel (Kohath's sons according to Exodus 6:18), and Elizaphan.[9] David announced his intentions to the head priests and Levites (verse 11), calling upon them to sanctify themselves (verse 12; cf. Exodus 19:14-15) while referring back to the failed first attempt (verse 13).[9]
The passage includes details of Levitical duties (verses 16–24) and the Chronicler emphasizes that the relevant instructions were carried out carefully.[9] Musical instruments are prominently described in this passage (cf. 2 Samuel 6:12–15) as well as in ritual liturgies throughout the Chronicles (1 Chronicles 16:42; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:6; 23:13; 34:12).[11] The number of sacrifices corresponds with the contemporary practices (see e.g. Numbers 23:1; Ezekiel 45:23; Job 42:8).[9]