1 Chronicles – Chapter 15

Old Testament29 Verses

Chapter Summary

"He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it." — so begins 1 Chronicles 15. The chapter centers on David, Zechariah and Nathanael. Across its 29 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it.

2Then David said: No one ought to carry the ark of God, but the Levites, whom the Lord hath chosen to carry it, and to minister unto himself for ever.

3And he gathered all Israel together into Jerusalem, that the ark of God might be brought into its place, which he had prepared for it.

4And the sons of Aaron also, and the Levites.

5Of the children of Caath, Uriel was the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twenty.

6Of the sons of Merari, Asaia the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty.

7Of the sons of Gersom, Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty.

8Of the sons of Elisaphan, Semeias the chief: and his brethren two hundred.

9Of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief: and his brethren eighty.

10Of the sons of Oziel, Aminadab the chief: and his brethren a hundred and twelve.

11And David called Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites, Uriel, Asaia, Joel, Semeia, Eliel, and Aminadab:

12And he said to them: You that are the heads of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brethren, and bring the ark of the Lord the God of Israel to the place, which is prepared for it:

13Lest as the Lord at first struck us, because you were not present, the same should now also come to pass, by our doing some thing against the law.

14So the priests and the Levites were sanctified, to carry the ark of the Lord the God of Israel.

15And the sons of Levi took the ark of God as Moses had commanded, according to the word of the Lord, upon their shoulders, with the staves.

16And David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites, to appoint some of their brethren to be singers with musical instruments, to wit, on psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, that the joyful noise might resound on high.

17And they appointed Levites, Hemam the son of Joel, and of his brethren Asaph the son of Barachias: and of the sons of Merari, their brethren: Ethan the son of Casaia.

18And with them their brethren: in the second rank, Zacharias, and Ben, and Jaziel, and Semiramoth, and Jahiel, and Ani, and Eliab, and Banaias, and Maasias, and Mathathias, and Eliphalu, and Macenias, and Obededom, and Jehiel, the porters.

19Now the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, sounded with cymbals of brass.

20And Zacharias, and Oziel, and Semiramoth, and Jehiel, and Ani, and Eliab, and Maasias, and Banaias, sung mysteries upon psalteries.

21And Mathathias, and Eliphalu, and Macenias and Obededom, and Jehiel and Ozaziu, sung a song of victory for the octave upon harps.

22And Chonenias chief of the Levites, presided over the prophecy, to give out the tunes: for he was very skilful.

23And Barachias, and Elcana, were doorkeepers of the ark.

24And Sebenias, and Josaphat, and Nathanael, and Amasai, and Zacharias, and Banaias, and Eliezer the priests, sounded with trumpets, before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehias were porters of the ark.

25So David and all the ancients of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

26And when God had helped the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they offered in sacrifice seven oxen, and seven rams.

27And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that carried the ark, and the singing men, and Chonenias the ruler of the prophecy among the singers: and David also had on him an ephod of linen.

28And all Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and sounding with the sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.

29And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 15

He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it.

1 Chronicles 15:1

And he said to them: You that are the heads of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brethren, and bring the ark of the Lord the God of Israel to the place, which is prepared for it:

1 Chronicles 15:12

And when God had helped the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they offered in sacrifice seven oxen, and seven rams.

1 Chronicles 15:26

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 15:29

Historical Context

1 Chronicles addresses the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 15 of 29 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 29 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David, Zechariah, Nathanael and Aaron appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle…" It concludes: "And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at…" Read against its original backdrop, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 1 Chronicles around After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within David's legacy and Temple preparation. A pivotal line is verse 1: "He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of David's legacy and Temple preparation. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1700).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

David9 mentionsZechariah3 mentionsNathanael1 mentionAaron1 mentionMoses1 mentionSaul1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Chronicles Chapter 15 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that David's legacy and Temple preparation is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Let 1 Chronicles Chapter 15 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 15 about?

1 Chronicles 15 contains 29 verses. It opens with "He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle…" and closes with "And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions David, Zechariah, Nathanael, Aaron, Moses, among others.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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