1 Chronicles 16

1 They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace-offerings before God.

2 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

3 He dealt to everyone of Yisra'el, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion [of flesh], and a cake of raisins.

4 He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD, the God of Yisra'el:

5 Asaf the chief, and second to him Zekharyah, Ye`i'el, and Shemiramot, and Yechi'el, and Mattityah, and Eli'av, and Benayah, and `Oved-'Edom, and Ye`i'el, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaf with cymbals, sounding aloud;

6 and Benayah and Yachazi'el the Kohanim with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to the LORD, by the hand of Asaf and his brothers.

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.

9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; Talk you of all his marvelous works.

10 Glory you in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice who seek the LORD.

11 Seek you the LORD and his strength; Seek his face forever more.

12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

13 You seed of Yisra'el his servant, You children of Ya`akov, his chosen ones.

14 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the eretz.

15 Remember his covenant forever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,

16 [The covenant] which he made with Avraham, His oath to Yitzchak,

17 Confirmed the same to Ya`akov for a statute, To Yisra'el for an everlasting covenant,

18 Saying, To you will I give the land of Kana`an, The lot of your inheritance;

19 When you were but a few men in number, Yes, very few, and sojourners in it;

20 They went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people.

21 He allowed no man to do them wrong; Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,

22 [Saying], Don't touch my anointed ones, Do my prophets no harm.

23 Sing to the LORD, all the eretz; Show forth his salvation from day to day.

24 Declare his glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols: But the LORD made the heavens.

27 Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Ascribe to the LORD, you relatives of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength;

29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship the LORD in holy array.

30 Tremble before him, all the eretz: The world also is established that it can't be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the eretz rejoice; Let them say among the nations, the LORD reigns.

32 Let the sea roar, and the fullness of it; Let the field exult, and all that is therein;

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before the LORD; For he comes to judge the eretz.

34 Oh give thanks to the LORD; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endures forever.

35 Say you, Save us, God of our salvation, Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to your holy name, To triumph in your praise.

36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, From everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, Amein, and praised the LORD.

37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, Asaf and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required;

38 and `Oved-'Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; `Oved-'Edom also the son of Yedutun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;

39 and Tzadok the Kohen, and his brothers the Kohanim, before the tent of the LORD in the high place that was at Giv`on,

40 to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded to Yisra'el;

41 and with them Heman and Yedutun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his lovingkindness endures forever;

42 and with them Heman and Yedutun [with] trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and [with] instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Yedutun to be at the gate.

43 All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

1 Chronicles 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

The solemnity with which the ark was fixed. (1-6) David's psalm of praise. (7-36) Setting in order the worship of God. (37-43)

Verses 1-6 Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall shine out of obscurity. This was but a tent, a humble dwelling, yet this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God gracious to him. Those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy, should show it by being open-handed.

Verses 7-36 Let God be glorified in our praises. Let others be edified and taught, that strangers to him may be led to adore him. Let us ourselves triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy his people of old, be remembered by us with thankfulness to him. Show forth from day to day his salvation, his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefit, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. In the midst of praises, we must not forget to pray for the servants of God in distress.

Verses 37-43 The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself, and encourages the people.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 16

This chapter relates that David offered sacrifices when the ark was brought into his city, 1Ch 16:1-3 who were the singers he appointed to sing before it continually, 1Ch 16:4-6 and the song he that day composed and delivered to them to sing, 1Ch 16:7-36 and that he appointed not only proper persons to minister before the ark, but also before the tabernacle at Gibeon, 1Ch 16:37-43.

in these three verses is the same with 2Sa 6:17-19, see the notes there. \\See Gill on "2Sa 6:17"\\. \\See Gill on "2Sa 6:18"\\. \\See Gill on "2Sa 6:19"\\. 18780-950101-1710-1Ch16.2