1 Chronicles 15:11

And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) David’s instructions to the eight spiritual chiefs.

Zadok and Abiathar the priests were of coordinate rank, as representing the two lines of Eleazar and Ithamar. (Comp. Notes on 1Chronicles 6:4, sqq., and 1Chronicles 24:3. ) On 1Chronicles 15:5 the meanings of three of these names have been suggested. Of the others, Zadok imports just, perhaps equivalent to Zedekiah, Jah is just; Abiathar, the Father (i.e., God) excels; She-maiah, Jah heareth; Eliel, God (and none else) is God (i.e., Divine); Amminadab, the Clansman (i.e., the Lord) is bounteous. Thus the very names of those who conducted this great religious event expressed to themselves and others the high spiritual truths that Jehovah the Lord is righteous, the Author and Bestower of all knowledge and excellence and working power; that He alone is God; and that He hears prayers, as being a gracious Father unto all His creatures.

Benson Commentary

1 Chronicles 15:11-12. David called for Zadok and Abiathar — The chief priests: Abiathar being the high-priest, and Zadok the second priest. And said, Sanctify yourselves — By solemn purification and preparation of yourselves, both in soul and body: see notes on Genesis 35:2, and Exodus 19:10.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:1-24 Wise and good men may be guilty of oversights, which they will correct, as soon as they are aware of them. David does not try to justify what had been done amiss, nor to lay the blame on others; but he owns himself guilty, with others, of not seeking God in due order

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The sons of Kohath - The order of the sons of Levi according to primogeniture is, Gershom, Kohath, Merari Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16. But the Kohathites, of whom came the priestly family of the Aaronites, had precedence in all respects. To them especially was committed the attendance upon the ark and the bearing of it. Of the six Levitical families mentioned 1 Chronicles 15:5-10 one only was descended from Gershom, one from Merari, and four (Uriel, Elizaphan, Hebron, and Uzziel) from Kohath.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites—The children of Aaron were the two priests (1Ch 15:11), Zadok and Abiathar, heads of the two priestly houses of Eleazar and Ithamar, and colleagues in the high priesthood (2Sa 20:25). The Levites were the chiefs of their father's house (1Ch 15:12); four belonging to the Kohathite branch, on whose shoulders the ark was to be borne; namely, Uriel, Shemaiah—descended from Elizaphan or Elzaphan—(Ex 6:22), Hebron (Ex 6:18; 1Ch 6:2), and Amminadab from Uzziel (Ex 6:22).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Zadok and Abiathar the priests, i.e. the chief priests, Abiathar the high priest, and Zadok the second priest: see Numbers 3:32.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests,.... See 2 Samuel 8:17.

and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab; the six chiefs before mentioned.

Geneva Study Bible

And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. Zadok and Abiathar] This double priesthood (2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:29; 2 Samuel 15:35; 2 Samuel 19:11; 2 Samuel 20:25) came to an end in the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 2:27; 1 Kings 2:35). Zadok is always mentioned first as being descended from Eleazar the third son of Aaron, while Ithamar from whom Abiathar (Ahimelech) was descended through Eli (1 Kings 2:27) was the fourth son (1 Chronicles 24:1; 1 Chronicles 24:3). In two of the passages quoted in this note Abiathar (probably being confused with his father) is called Ahimelech or Abimelech (2 Samuel 8:17 = 1 Chronicles 18:16; 1 Chronicles 24:3). Conversely in Mark 2:26 Ahimelech is called Abiathar. In the Chronicler’s list of highpriests (1 Chronicles 6:4-14) Zadok alone is mentioned, the line of Eleazar alone being given. Cp. Kirkpatrick on 2 Samuel 6 (Prefatory Note); and on ib. 2 Samuel 8:17.

the priests] Only the two chief priests are mentioned here. Other priests blew with the trumpets in front of the ark (1 Chronicles 15:24).

1 Chronicles 15:11

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Zadok of the line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:1-15), and Abiathar of the line of Ithamar, were the heads of the two priestly lines, and at that time both held the office of high priest (1 Chronicles 24:3; cf. 2 Samuel 15:24., 2 Samuel 20:25). These priests and the six princes of the Levites just enumerated were charged by David to consecrate themselves with their brethren, and to bring up the ark of God to the place prepared for it. התקדּשׁ, to consecrate oneself by removal of all that is unclean, washing of the body and of the clothes (Genesis 35:2), and careful keeping aloof from every defilement, avoiding coition and the touching of unclean things; cf. Exodus 19:10, Exodus 19:15. לו אל־כינותי, to (the place) which I have prepared for it. לו הכינותי is a relative clause with אשׁר, construed with a preposition as though it were a substantive: cf. similar constructions, 1 Chronicles 29:3; 2 Chronicles 16:9; 2 Chronicles 30:18; Nehemiah 8:10; and Ew. 33, b.