1 Chronicles 15:12, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to David's effort to bring the ark from Kirjath-jearim, from the house of Obed-edom, to Jerusalem to a tent he had pitched there. It was the occasion when he gathered Israel's chosen men and brought the ark toward the city. The surrounding account describes its arrival in Jerusalem and includes a psalm in chapter 16. David decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem for himself after seeing the blessings that came to the house of Obededom where the ark had stayed.

He told the chief of the fathers of the Levites, the Levite family heads and leaders, to sanctify themselves, both they and their brethren and fellow Levites, so they could bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place he had prepared for it. Those chosen to bring the ark of God to its prepared place had to sanctify themselves together with their fellow Levites. Carrying the ark was a sacred duty and solemn task requiring consecration and obedience to God's order. The ark was not to be handled as an ordinary object, and this preparation was part of the special instruction for carrying the ark given through Moses.

The command is explained by the breach the LORD made upon them, because the Levites did not carry the ark at the first and they did not seek Him after the due order but used a method contrary to the law. Neglecting this sanctifying preparation may have contributed to that earlier failure. The Levites then carried the ark according to God's requirements, seeking Him after the due order. Their reverence and joy were greater because they had recognized the ark's holiness and obeyed. The earlier disaster shows that prophetic direction remains authoritative even after the prophet's death and must not be set aside for human judgment.