This verse shows that David’s leadership was grounded in careful obedience to God and proper organization of the Levites.
Of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his relatives, (v.8). This verse appears in the context of King David’s preparations to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Having learned from a previous failed attempt that the ark must be carried according to the LORD’s prescribed method (1 Chronicles 13:10-12), David carefully gathered Levites from each clan to ensure proper worship and demonstrate reverence. At this time—around 1000 BC—David was establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s political and spiritual center. Through this verse, we see David’s efforts to obey God’s commands in every detail, summoning priests and Levites who would perform this sacred task with the utmost diligence.
By naming Shemaiah as chief over two hundred relatives, 1 Chronicles 15:8 emphasizes the importance of structured leadership within the Levitical families. Elizaphan (also spelled Elzaphan in some translations) was a descendant of Levi, placing his lineage among the tribe entrusted with caring for the tabernacle and its duties. Shemaiah, along with his kinsmen, would be responsible for their portion of the ark’s transport, indicating how individuals were carefully chosen for their qualifications and lineage. This organization reveals David’s resolve to do things “in the right way,” highlighting how communal faithfulness and order were essential for honoring God’s presence.
Shemaiah likely served in a leadership role not only to coordinate logistics but to ensure the holiness and decorum required in such a sacred moment. The mention of these two hundred relatives under his charge reinforces the scope of collaboration: each family and subfamily had a distinct role in upholding and celebrating the LORD’s throne on earth—the ark. Their participation underscores that the worship of God, especially in a joyful procession, involved many people serving in unity and obedience to His word.
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1 Chronicles 15:8 meaning
Of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his relatives, (v.8). This verse appears in the context of King David’s preparations to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Having learned from a previous failed attempt that the ark must be carried according to the LORD’s prescribed method (1 Chronicles 13:10-12), David carefully gathered Levites from each clan to ensure proper worship and demonstrate reverence. At this time—around 1000 BC—David was establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s political and spiritual center. Through this verse, we see David’s efforts to obey God’s commands in every detail, summoning priests and Levites who would perform this sacred task with the utmost diligence.
By naming Shemaiah as chief over two hundred relatives, 1 Chronicles 15:8 emphasizes the importance of structured leadership within the Levitical families. Elizaphan (also spelled Elzaphan in some translations) was a descendant of Levi, placing his lineage among the tribe entrusted with caring for the tabernacle and its duties. Shemaiah, along with his kinsmen, would be responsible for their portion of the ark’s transport, indicating how individuals were carefully chosen for their qualifications and lineage. This organization reveals David’s resolve to do things “in the right way,” highlighting how communal faithfulness and order were essential for honoring God’s presence.
Shemaiah likely served in a leadership role not only to coordinate logistics but to ensure the holiness and decorum required in such a sacred moment. The mention of these two hundred relatives under his charge reinforces the scope of collaboration: each family and subfamily had a distinct role in upholding and celebrating the LORD’s throne on earth—the ark. Their participation underscores that the worship of God, especially in a joyful procession, involved many people serving in unity and obedience to His word.