of Obed-edom during the time it had been there, David arranges that the ark should be borne only by Levites, for them only had the Lord chosen to carry it. By this arrangement it is expressly acknowledged that it "'was contrary to law to place it on a cart. The heads of the priests and Levites are summoned to take the matter in hand. Kohath is first named, because Aaron was descended from Kohath, and because to the Kohathites, on account of this near relation to the priests, there belonged the duty of serving in that which was most holy, and in bearing the holiest vessels of the tabernacle. The transport of the ark was the KohathHes' special work. These priests atid six of the Levites were commanded by David to consecrate themselves with their brethren to bring up the ark. This consecration consisted of the removing of all that was unclean, the washing of the body and clothes (Gen. xxxv. 2), the keeping aloof from every defilement, and from touching unclean things. David reminds them (ver. 13) that because God was not sought according to his Word, there came a breach, That Word required that the ark on which Jehovah was enthroned should be carried by Levites, and should be touched by no unholy person or one who was not a priest (see Numb. iv. 15). So the Levites, we are told, bare the ark on their shoulders with stave8, according to the Word of the Lord. From thi8 portion of our chapter let u, learn three spiritual lessons. 1. It was because David heard of the blessing the ark had been to the house of Obed-edom that made him send for it. That ark was Christ. Wherever he is in a heart, a family, a Church, or a nation, there a blessing will be left. He came to bless (see Acts iii. 26); and none who receive him shall be without that blessing, But as in the case of Obed-edom those who receive his blessing are made the channel of blessing to others. They cannot be hid. David sends for the ark because Obed-edom had been so blessed by it. 2. Those Levites who bore the ark, though they had been from of old divinely appointed to this work, had again. to be consecrated, No touch of uncleanliness, or defilement of body or garment, must come near it. So must it be now with all those who have to do with Christ. To be Ohristians is not enough any more than it was to be Levites. They must be clean Christians. There must be plenty of "washing," plenty of " keeping aloof" from things, and plenty of careful walking with all those who have to do with him. " Be ye holy that bear the vessels of the Lord;" "Be ye holy, for I am holy." 3. It might seem to human observation a very trifling difference between carrying the ark on a cart or carriage, and carrying it on the shoulders with staves. But the great point is-What was the Lord's word? It was this made the difference (ver. 15), So is it now in everything. It is not what I think or what you. think or what any man thinks. It is," What saith the Word of the Lord?" This is to settle every question. Aud he would not have t-een a true Levite any more than that man could be a true Christian who would for a moment hesitate to accept this decision 11s final.-W, Vere. 16-24.-The singers and musical instru.mmts accompanying the arlc. David gave also a further charge to the Levites to appoint singers and musical instruments to accompany the ark. 'l'hree kinds of musical instruments are named (ver. 16); the psalter, an oblong box with broad bottom and a somewhat convex sounding- board, over which strings of wire are stretched; harps or lutes, anil the cyrubal or instrument provided with a small bell. These singers formed three choirs accord- ing to the instrument they played. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played brazen cymbals, Benaiah and the seven who followed played psalteries; the last six played lutes. The former three had cymbals to direc& the song; while the rest had partly psalteries, partly lutes, in order to play the accompaniment to the singing. Chenaniah was captain of the Levites who had charge of the bearing of the nrk because he was instructed in what had to be observed with respect to it. The blowing of the silver trumpets by the priests rests on Numb. x. 1-10. The procession was in nil proba- bility arranged thus: the singers and players in front in three divisions; next Chenaniah, captnin of the bearers; two doorkeepers; the priests with the trumpets; two door- keepers; the king, with the elders and captains of thousands. Observe the spiritual lesson to be learned from this procession. The ark was to be accompanied by those who could sing and shout for joy (see vers. 16, 28). So is it with those who have to do with the true Ark-Christ. We have had first cleanness, and now we havu joy. '!'hese are inseparab!Q, Not tho LQvite ~ sue~, but the I.evito washed and cleau, i• O}IRONtCLE;~. Ii, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [cH. n. 1-29.
shouting for joy. Not the Christian as such, but the Christian cleansed, and holy. Such only can truly be full of joy. It is joy from conscious union with Christ the ,rue Ark, and maintained in holiness oflife.-W.
Vers. 25-29.-The clothing of the priests and Levites. After the journey had been accomplished, the bearers and those who had brought up the ark offered thank offerings of seven bullocks and seven rams-a perfect offering, denoted by the number seven. David and all the priests and Levites that accompanied the ark were clothed in white linen. The outer garments corresponded with the cleanness, the holiness, and the joy. So the white-robed multitude are represented as singing with palms in their hands, indicating the holiness and the joy, round the true Ark, the Lord Jesus Christ, iu heaven, No wonder Michal should despise David. The heart of every one not experi- mentally acquainted with the Lord Jesus will always do the same. "The natural man understandeth not the things of the Spirit of God: . . . they are foolishness unto him." Tlie Michal-heart is everywhere around us, Oh the joy of knowing Jesusl-W.