02/26/2025 – Day 241 – 1 Chronicles – Chapters 15 – 19 / Commentary: Proper handling of the ark (15:15) & The significance of nagged, the Hebrew word for ruler, distinct from other nations. (17:7)
“Then the Levites carried the ark of God the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord; on their shoulders with the poles.” (1 Chronicles 15:15)
This was after the LORD struck Uzzah dead because he had handled the ark improperly. (See 13: 9 -14)
This is the commentary for 15:15 in “The Apologetics Study Bible”:
“15.15. For the Chronicler, proper observance of the law’s ritual and regulations was of utmost importance. Here he noted the proper way to transport the ark: Levites carrying it with poles (see Exodus 25: 13-15; Numbers 7:9). David had used a cart with no Levites. Had they followed the correct procedure, the ark would not have been in any danger of falling and a man would not have died.”
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“Now this is what you will say to My servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.’ (1 Chronicles 17:7)
And here is the commentary for 17:17 in “The Apologetics Study Bible”:
“17.7. ‘Ruler’ if from the Hebrew word nagid, referring to a tribal chieftain or a lesser ruler accountable to a ‘high king.’ This term was deliberately chosen instead of the more usual Hebrew word melek, “king.” This later word should be applied to the Lord. This is a very different understanding of ruling from Israel’s ancient Near Eastern neighbors, where nearly every little town boasted of a ‘king’ jealous of his prerogatives and prerequisites. These rulers claimed divinity more often than not, instead of acknowledging stewardship to a higher authority.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.