(25) SO David, and the elders of Israel.--Literally, And it was David and the elders of Israel and princes of the thousands who were walking to bring up the Ark, &c. The preparations for the ceremony are now complete, and the procession starts. A slight change in the Hebrew (omission of the article; so Syriac and one MS. of LXX.) will improve the sense: "And it came to pass, David and the elders . . . were walking to bring up the Ark."

To bring up the ark.--"Into the city of David" (Samuel).

The ark of the covenant of the Lord.--A special title of the Ark, which has not occurred before in this history. It is not read in the parallel passage of Samuel, where we find only "ark of God," and "ark of Jehovah." The phrase may therefore indicate that the chronicler had another source besides that book. (Comp. Joshua 3:3; Joshua 3:17.) The parallel (2Samuel 6:12) makes no mention of "the elders and captains," but merely states in brief and somewhat abrupt fashion that David went and brought up the Ark, because he had heard of its bringing a blessing upon the house of Obed-edom.

With joy.--With set rejoicings and festal mirth.

15:25-29 It is good to notice the assistance of Divine Providence, even in things which fall within the compass of our natural powers; if God did not help us, we could not stir a step. If we do our religious duties in any degree aright, we must own it was God that helped us; had we been left to ourselves, we should have been guilty of some fatal errors. And every thing in which we engage, must be done in dependence on the mercy of God through the sacrifice of the Redeemer.So David and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands,.... He and the principal men of the nation, and the officers of the army or militia:

went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy; with all demonstrations of it; for which purpose such a band of music was prepared, as before described.