Who was Ben in the Bible?

Ben was a Levite appointed as a gatekeeper for the Ark of the Covenant during its transfer to Jerusalem under King David's orders. He is mentioned briefly in the list of Levitical gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 15:18.

What was Ben's role as a gatekeeper?

As a gatekeeper, Ben was responsible for guarding and securing the sacred Ark of the Covenant during its procession. This was a vital duty to protect the holiness of the Ark and ensure the proper order of worship (1 Chronicles 15:23-24).

Why is Ben mentioned in the Bible?

Ben is mentioned to highlight the detailed organization and reverence surrounding the Ark's return to Jerusalem. His inclusion shows that even those with seemingly minor roles were recorded as important participants in this major worship event (1 Chronicles 15:1-2).

Ben

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Ben, a Levite, was appointed as one of the gatekeepers for the ark during its transfer to Jerusalem.

Ben

Biography

Ben was a Levite appointed by King David as one of the gatekeepers responsible for guarding the ark of the covenant during its ceremonial transfer to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18). This momentous occasion followed an earlier disastrous attempt to transport the ark on a cart, which resulted in the death of Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). David subsequently reorganized the ark's transport according to Mosaic law, designating Levites to carry it on their shoulders and assigning gatekeepers and musicians to accompany the procession. Ben's name appears in a list of second-rank Levites appointed to this sacred duty. Though he receives no individual narrative, his service during one of the most theologically significant events of David's reign places him at a pivotal moment in Israel's worship history.

Significance

Ben's role as a gatekeeper for the ark represents the broader biblical theme of reverence in worship and the importance of ordained structures in approaching God's presence. The elaborate precautions David took in the second ark-transport, assigning specific Levites to specific roles, reflect the lesson learned from Uzzah's death: God's holiness demands proper protocol and obedient respect. Ben and his fellow Levites embody the principle that worship is not merely spontaneous but requires careful, reverent preparation. In a broader sense, the gatekeepers of the ark prefigure those in every generation who guard the integrity of sacred worship, ensuring that access to God is approached with awe, order, and covenant fidelity.

Verse Appearances (1)

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 15:18

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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