1 Chronicles 15:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 15:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And [David] made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And [David] made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
1 Chronicles 15:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And [David] made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And David made him houses in the city of David, etc.] With the help of the masons and carpenters Hiram sent him, (<131401>1 Chronicles 14:1), the royal palace is meant, with all the apartments in it, which were many and large, as so great a family he had required, and with all the out houses to it necessary for his servants, and their offices: and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent; (see <100617> 2 Samuel 6:17).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“DAVID BRINGS THE ARK FROM OBEDEDOM. (1Ch. 15:1-24) David made him houses in the city of David--Through the liberality of his Tyrian ally (Ch1 14:1), David was enabled to erect not only a palace for himself, but to furnish suitable accommodation for his numerous family. Where polygamy prevails, each wife has a separate house or suite of apartments for herself and children. prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent--that is, made an entirely new one upon the model of the former. The old tabernacle, which Moses had constructed in the wilderness and which had hitherto served the purpose of a sacred covering, was to be left at Gibeon, either because of the unwillingness of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And pitched for it a tent - The old “tent” or “tabernacle” was still in existence at Gibeon 1 Chronicles 16:39; 2 Chronicles 1:3; but the ark had long been separated from it, and David probably thought that something newer and more magnificent was requisite. He therefore allowed the former tabernacle to keep its place, and had another made and erected. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Houses - A palace consisting of many houses or apartments for his several wives and children. A tent - He did not fetch the tabernacle of Moses from Gibeon, because he intended forthwith to build the temple. 1 Chronicles 15:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:1-29 Again, David set out to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. This time he made thorough preparations to ensure that the transfer would succeed. 15:1-3 The first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (13:1-14) failed because of improper procedure (see 15:13). This time, David prepared a place for the Ark in Jerusalem and organized Levites . . . to carry the Ark because this was their responsibility (Deut 10:8; 18:5). The special tent that David prepared for the Ark was not the Tabernacle, which was located at Gibeon at the time (see 1 Chr 16:39; 21:29).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 2962, bc 1042 houses: Sa2 5:9, Sa2 13:7, Sa2 13:8, Sa2 14:24, and he prepared, Ch1 15:3, Ch1 16:1, Ch1 17:1-5; Psa 132:5; Act 7:46 1 Chronicles 15:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“In Sa2 6:12 the whole matter is introduced by a statement that the motive which had determined the king to bring the ark to Jerusalem, was his having heard of the blessing which the ark had brought upon the house of Obed-edom. In our narrative ( Ch1 15:1), the remark that David, while building his house in Jerusalem, prepared a place for the ark of God, and erected a tent for it, forms the transition from the account of his palace-building ( Ch1 14:1.) to the bringing in of the ark. The words, "he made unto himself houses," do not denote, as Bertheau thinks, the building of other houses besides the palaces built with the help of King Hiram ( Ch1 14:1). For עשׂה is not synonymous with בּנה,…”
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Sources and verification