I Chronicles 15:28 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 15:28 Commentary: Shouts and Instruments in Worship
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the joyful, ordered procession of the Ark to Jerusalem, with detailed instruments, shouts, and the lesson of proper worship.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The joyful, communal procession of the Ark to Jerusalem with prescribed shouts and instruments.
- Key words: tĕrū‘ah (shout/blast), shofar (ram's horn), kinnor (lyre/harp), nevel (lyre).
- Main debate: No significant debate among supplied sources; all agree on the historical event and the liturgical emphasis.
- Theological theme: God’s presence among his people elicits ordered, exuberant praise.
- Best use: Preaching on the role of music and joy in worship, or on learning from past failure to approach God rightly.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Thus all Israel brought the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps.
KJV King James Version 1769
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with psalteries and harps.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And all Israel are bringing up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of a cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding with psalteries and harps,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with sound of the trumpet, and with clarions, and with cymbals, playing aloud with lutes and harps.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And all Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and sounding with the sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
De esta manera llevaba todo Israel el arca del pacto de Jehová, con júbilo y sonido de bocinas, y trompetas, y címbalos, y al son de salterios y arpas.
Assim todo Israel fez subir a arca do pacto do SENHOR, com júbilo, som de cornetas e trombetas, e címbalos, e ao som de saltérios e harpas.
Tout Israël fit monter l’arche de l’ alliance de l’ Éternel avec des cris de joie, au son des clairons, des trompettes et des cymbales, et en faisant retentir les luths et les harpes.
Also brachte das ganze Israel die Lade des Bundes des HERRN hinauf mit Jauchzen, Posaunen, Drommeten und hellen Zimbeln, mit Psaltern und Harfen.
Alzo bracht gans Israel de ark des verbonds des HEEREN op, met gejuich, en met geluid der bazuin, en met trompetten, en met cimbalen, makende geluid met luiten en met harpen.
Così tutto Israele portò su l’arca del patto dell’Eterno con grida di gioia, a suon di corni, di trombe, di cembali, di saltèri e d’arpe.
A tak wszystek Izrael prowadził skrzynię przymierza Pa Oskiego z weselem, i z hukiem kornetu, i trąby, i cymbałów, grając na lutniach i na cytrach.
Так весь Израиль вносил ковчег завета Господня с восклицанием, при звуке рога и труб и кимвалов, играя на псалтирях и цитрах.
這樣，以色列 眾人 歡呼 吹角、吹號、敲鈸、鼓瑟、彈琴，大發響聲，將 耶和華 的約 櫃 抬上來。
So all Israel took up the ark of the agreement of the Lord, with loud cries and with horns and brass and corded instruments sounding loudly.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 15:28
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators from various traditions agree that this verse highlights the proper, joyful, and communal worship of God during the Ark’s transfer to Jerusalem. The Cambridge Bible notes that the Hebrew word for ‘shouting’ (tĕrū‘ah) is a technical term for a blast on festal trumpets, not random noise. Keil and Delitzsch observe that the Chronicler expands the parallel account in 2 Samuel 6:15 by deliberately enumerating each instrument. Matthew Henry emphasizes that God helped the Levites who bore the Ark, so the joy expressed is grounded in divine assistance. Gill simply references the broader narrative in Samuel. The consensus: the detailed list of shofar, silver trumpets, cymbals, lyres, and harps shows careful liturgical order; the shout is a prescribed blast; and the participation of ‘all Israel’ underscores that this is a national act of covenant celebration.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse describes a historical procession with specific musical instruments and shouting, understood by all supplied commentators as a joyful celebration of God’s covenant presence.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of tĕrū‘ah (shout) | All supplied commentators understand it as a technical term for a blast on festal trumpets (Numbers 10), not mere shouting. | No disagreement noted in the supplied sources. |
| Role of musical instruments | Instruments are seen as part of God-ordained, joyful worship, commanded by David and executed by Levites. | The supplied sources do not discuss whether this prescribes instruments for worship today; they describe the OT context. |
| Historical relationship to 2 Samuel 6 | The Chronicler expands the parallel account by naming more instruments. | Some might see this as later priestly amplification; Keil and Delitzsch simply note the enlargement without evaluating its historicity. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s throne on earth and was central to Israel’s worship. This procession from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem was David’s second attempt to bring the Ark home. The first attempt ended when Uzzah touched the Ark and died (1 Chronicles 13). In chapter 15 David learns from that failure: only Levites may carry the Ark, and the clergy must sanctify themselves.
Verse 28 shows the result of that careful preparation. The shout (tĕrū‘ah) was not spontaneous: Numbers 10:1-10 specifies that silver trumpets were blown by priests for festivals and journeys. The shofar was the ram’s horn used for assemblies and alarms. The cymbals (mĕtsiltayim) and stringed instruments (nevel and kinnor) were standard in temple music, as seen in 1 Chronicles 15:16 and later in 2 Chronicles 5:12-13. Ellicott’s Commentary notes the precise order of the procession: the cymbal-players, seven priestly trumpeters, the Ark, and the king. This was neither chaotic nor merely emotional, it was liturgy shaped by God’s commands.
For faith and life, this verse reminds us that joy and structure belong together in worship. The Ark brought God’s presence; the people responded with every instrument they had, and the shout rose to heaven. Learning from past error (Uzzah) taught them that worship requires both reverence and gladness.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is consistent across manuscripts, and commentators treat the passage as straightforward.
Reception History
From the early church through the Middle Ages, this verse was read as an example of joyful worship using instruments, often cited in discussions of church music. The Reformed and Anglican traditions noted the contrast between David’s celebration and Michal’s criticism, using it to encourage congregational participation and warn against despising praise. Matthew Henry, the Geneva Bible, and Baptist commentators like Gill saw the passage as a model for worship that combines order and exuberance. The detailed list of instruments also played a role in later debates about the place of music in Christian worship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s presence demands preparation. The earlier failure with Uzzah taught David to follow God’s instructions carefully. Here, Levites, instruments, and shout are all arranged by command.
- Joyful worship uses every voice and instrument. Shouting, shofar, trumpets, cymbals, lyres, and harps all join. Nothing is held back.
- Worship unites the whole people. “All Israel” participates, not just priests or Levites. The Ark is a national treasure, and the celebration draws everyone together.
Five-point outline
- Lesson from failure. The first attempt (1 Chronicles 13) ended in death. David now does things God’s way.
- The right people. Levites carry the Ark, priests blow the silver trumpets. Order matters.
- The right sounds. Tĕrū‘ah (the festal blast) and the shofar represent both joy and alarm, God is great and good.
- The right instruments. Cymbals, lyres, harps, variety reflects the richness of worship.
- The right heart. Verse 29 shows Michal despising David’s joy. The chapter ends by contrasting faithful celebration with contempt.
Illustration hooks
- Planning a wedding. Couples spend months on details, music, seating, processional. The effort shows the occasion’s importance. David’s detailed planning for the Ark shows that reverence and joy both need thought.
- A sports parade. After a championship, a city pours out with horns, drums, and shouting. Everyone joins in, and the celebration feels unified. The Ark’s procession had that same energy, but focused on God.
- Organizing a church picnic. Someone has to plan the games and food, or chaos follows. Good structure actually frees participants to enjoy themselves. David’s careful order allowed the joy to flourish.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God care about the details of worship? Yes, the Chronicler’s careful list shows that how we approach God matters. Our worship should be both ordered and heartfelt.
- What about instruments in worship? This passage doesn’t settle every debate between traditions, but it shows that instruments can be part of joyful praise to God.
- How can we avoid Michal’s attitude? Verse 29 shows that criticism from others can tempt us to despise joy. The antidote is to remember that God’s presence is the source of our gladness.
Leading a Discussion
This verse comes after David’s first, failed attempt to move the Ark (1 Chronicles 13). In chapter 15 he carefully follows God’s instructions: only Levites carry the Ark, and the musicians are appointed. Verse 28 describes the joyful result. As you discuss, notice the detail, every instrument is named, and the shout is a prescribed blast. This is worship that is both ordered and exuberant.
Discussion questions
- What instruments does the verse list? Why do you think the Chronicler includes so many of them?
- Look up Numbers 10:1-10. What was the ‘shout’ (tĕrū‘ah) used for in Israel? How does that background change how you read this verse?
- How does the account in 1 Chronicles 15 differ from 2 Samuel 6:15? What does the added detail teach us?
- Verse 26 says “God helped the Levites.” How does that note color the joy described in verse 28?
- Why do you think the Chronicler emphasizes “all Israel”? What does that say about who worship involves?
- Verse 29 shows Michal despising David. Why might someone react that way to genuine worship? How can we guard our own hearts against contempt?
- How can our church worship be both joyful and reverent at the same time? What practical steps help us achieve both?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 10:2 | “Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps. |
| II Samuel 6:15 | So David and all the house of Israel brought up Yahweh’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. |
| I Chronicles 13:8 | David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets. |
| I Chronicles 15:16 | David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with joy. |
| II Chronicles 5:12 | also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets); |
| II Chronicles 5:13 | when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!” then the house was filled with a cloud, even Yahweh’s house, |
| Ezra 3:10 | When the builders laid the foundation of Yahweh’s temple, they set the priests in their vestments with trumpets, with the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, according to the directions of David king of Israel. |
| Ezra 3:11 | They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of Yahweh’s house had been laid. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator explains that the Hebrew word behind "shouting" is a technical term for a blast on the festal trumpets used in worship. This distinction matters because the Chronicler expanded the earlier account from Samuel by deliberately introducing a mention of these trumpets.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Thus all Israel brought vp the Arke of the Lordes couenant with shouting and sounde of cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbales, making a sound with violes and with harpes.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that the account of the ark being brought up with shouting directly matches the parallel story in 2 Samuel. His point is the collective participation — all Israel joined in the celebration, not just a select group.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch observe that the Chronicler's account expands the parallel passage in Samuel by specifically naming each musical instrument. This enumeration draws attention to the precise details of the worship celebration, making the description fuller than the earlier version.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange treats the song in 1 Chronicles 16 as an ideal composition, not a verbatim transcript. He argues the Chronicler wove together passages from Psalms 105, 96, and 106 to create a fitting hymn for the ark's dedication, much like the canticles in Luke's Gospel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that the ark was not physically heavy, yet the Levites still needed God's help. Their help came as encouragement to overcome the fear left by Uzza's death, and as strength to carry out the duty decently and without error. God is the source of all sufficiency for holy tasks.