1 Chronicles 16

1 They brought the ark of God in and put it in the tent that David had set up for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

2 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of ADONAI.

3 Then he distributed to everyone in Isra'el, to everyone there, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a raisin cake.

4 He appointed certain L'vi'im to serve in front of the ark of ADONAI, to celebrate, and to thank and praise ADONAI the God of Isra'el:

5 Asaf, the leader; assisting him, Z'kharyah; then Ye'i'el, Sh'miramot, Yechi'el, Mattityahu, Eli'av, B'nayahu, 'Oved-Edom and Ye'i'el playing lutes and lyres, while Asaf played cymbals.

6 B'nayah and Yachzi'el the cohanim blew the trumpets continually before the ark for the covenant of God.

7 It was on that same day that David first ordered that thanks be given to ADONAI through Asaf and his kinsmen:

8 Give thanks to ADONAI! Call on his name! Make his deeds known among the peoples.

9 Sing to him, sing praises to him! Talk about all his wonders.

10 Glory in his holy name; let those seeking ADONAI have joyful hearts.

11 Seek ADONAI and his strength; always seek his presence.

12 Remember the wonders he has done, his signs and his spoken judgments.

13 You descendants of Isra'el his servant, you offspring of Ya'akov, his chosen ones:

14 he is ADONAI our God, His judgments are everywhere on earth.

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

16 the covenant he made with Avraham; the oath he swore to Yitz'chak

17 and established as a law for Ya'akov, for Isra'el as an everlasting covenant:

18 "To you I will give the land of Kena'an as your allotted heritage."

19 When you were but few in number, and not only few, but aliens there too,

20 wandering from nation to nation, from this kingdom to that people,

21 he allowed no one to oppress them. Yes, for their sakes he rebuked even kings:

22 "Don't touch my anointed ones or do my prophets harm!"

23 Sing to ADONAI, all the earth! Proclaim his victory day after day!

24 Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples!

25 For ADONAI is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared more than all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are nothing, but ADONAI made the heavens.

27 In his presence are honor and majesty; in his place, strength and joy.

28 Give ADONAI his due, you families from the peoples, give ADONAI his due of glory and strength;

29 give ADONAI the glory due to his name; bring an offering, and come into his presence. Worship ADONAI in splendid, holy attire.

30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established, immovable.

31 Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "ADONAI is king!"

32 Let the sea roar, and everything in it; let the fields exult, and all that is in them.

33 Then the trees in the forest will sing before ADONAI, because he has come to judge the earth.

34 Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

35 Say: "Save us, God who can save us! Gather and rescue us from the nations; so that we can thank your holy name and glory in praising you.

36 Blessed be ADONAI, the God of Isra'el, from eternity past to eternity future!" All the people said, "Amen!" and praised ADONAI.

37 So, there before the ark for the covenant of ADONAI, David left Asaf and his kinsmen to perform the service regularly before the ark, as each day's work required;

38 also 'Oved-Edom with their kinsmen, sixty-eight of them -'Oved-Edom the son of Y'dutun and Hosah were gatekeepers.

39 He left Tzadok the cohen with his kinsmen before the tabernacle of ADONAI at the high place in Giv'on

40 to offer burnt offerings to ADONAI every morning and evening on the altar for burnt offerings, according to everything written in the Torah of ADONAI, which he gave to Isra'el.

41 With them were Heman and Y'dutun and the rest who were chosen and assigned by name to give thanks to ADONAI, because his grace continues forever.

42 With them were Heman and Y'dutun to play trumpets and cymbals, also instruments for the songs about God; while the sons of Y'dutun were assigned to the gate.

43 Then the people all left for their homes, and David returned to bless his household.

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