1 Chronicles 15

David prepares to move ark to Jerusalem

David built houses for himself in the city of David (Jerusalem). He prepared a place for God's ark, and set up a tent for it. David ordered that no one was allowed to carry the ark besides the Levites, because the Existing One had chosen them to carry the ark and minister to him forever. Then David assembled all of Israel to Jerusalem when it was time to bring the Existing One's ark to the place he prepared for it. David assembled Aaron's son and the Levites:

• 120 of Kohath's sons with Uriel as their chief

• 220 of Meraria's sons with Asaiah as their chief

• 130 of Gershom's sons with Joel as their chief

• 200 of Elizaphan's sons with Shemaiah as their chief

• 80 of Hebron's sons with Eliel as their chief

• 112 of Uzziel's sons with Amminadab as their chief

Then David summoned the Zadok, Abiathar and the chief Levite priests named above, and David said to them, "You are the Levite patriarchs. You and your brothers need to purity yourselves so you can bring the ark of Israel's God, the Existing One to the place that I have prepared for it. The reason why God broke out against us the first time is because we didn't consult God and have you carry the ark like he instructed us to do." So the priests and Levites purified themselves in preparation of handling the ark of Israel's God, the Existing One. The Levites carried God's ark on their shoulders with the poles like Moses had instructed according to the Existing One's orders.

David prepares musicians

David also ordered the Levite chiefs to have their brothers sing and play joyful music. So for this job, the Levites appointed Heman (Joel's son) and his brothers: Asaph (Berechiah's son), Merari's sons, Ethan (Kushaiah's son).

• The second tier of brothers was assigned to: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.

• The bronze cymbal players were: the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan.

• The harpists were: Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah according to Alamoth [a musical term].

• The lyre players were: Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Kikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah according to Sheminith [a musical term].

• The director was Chenaniah (the Levite's music leader).

• The gatekeepers for the ark were Berechiah, Elkanah, Obed-edom, and Jehiah.

• The trumpeters were the priests: Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer.

Ark is moved, Michal despises David for dancing

So David went with Israel's elders and leaders to get the Existing One's ark from Obed-edom's house with great fanfare. They sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark. David wore expensive linen clothes along with all the Levites who were carrying the ark and Chenaniah (the music director). David also wore a linen ephod. All of Israel brought the ark of the Existing One's covenant as they shouted and made music with their horns, trumpets, cymbals, harps, and lyres.

As the ark of the Existing One's covenant entered the city of David, Michal (Saul's daughter) saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.