Chronicles I 16

1 So they brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle which David pitched for it; and they offered whole-burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God.

2 And David finished offering up whole-burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3 And he divided to every man of Israel (both men and women), to man one baker's loaf, and a cake.

4 And he appointed before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, Levites to minister lift up the voice, and to give thanks and praise the Lord God of Israel:

5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zacharias, Jeiel, Semiramoth, and Jeiel, Mattathias, Eliab, and Banaeas, and Abdedom: and Jeiel sounding with musical instruments, lutes harps, and Asaph with cymbals:

6 and Banaeas and Oziel the priests continually with trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God in that day.

7 Then David first gave orders to praise the Lord by the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 Song. Give thanks to the Lord, call upon him by his name, make known his designs among the people.

9 Sing to him, and sing hymns to him, relate to all his wonderful deeds, which the Lord has wrought.

10 Praise his holy name, the heart that seeks his pleasure shall rejoice.

11 Seek the Lord and be strong, seek his face continually.

12 Remember his wonderful works which he has wrought, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

13 seed of Israel his servants, seed of Jacob his chosen ones.

14 He the Lord our God; his judgments in all the earth.

15 Let us remember his covenant for ever, his word which he commanded to a thousand generations,

16 which he covenanted with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac.

17 He confirmed it to Jacob for an ordinance, to Israel an everlasting covenant,

18 saying, To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, the line of your inheritance:

19 when they were few in number, when they were but little, and dwelt as strangers in it;

20 and went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.

21 He suffered not a man to oppress them, and he reproved kings for their sakes,

22 saying, Touch not my anointed ones, and deal not wrongfully with my prophets.

23 Sing ye to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation from day to day.

24 Declare among the nations his glory, his wondrous deeds among all peoples.

25 For the Lord great, and greatly to be praised: he to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the nations idols; but our God made the heavens.

27 Glory and praise in his presence; strength and rejoicing in his place.

28 Give to the Lord, ye families of the nations, give to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Give to the Lord the glory to his name: take gifts and offer before him; and worship the Lord in his holy courts.

30 Let the whole earth fear before him; let the earth be established, and not be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; and let them say among the nations, The Lord reigns.

32 The sea with its fullness shall resound and the tree of the field, and all things in it.

33 Then shall the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for he is come to judge the earth.

34 Give thanks to the Lord, for good, for his mercy for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us, and rescue us from among the heathen, that we may praise thy holy name, and glory in thy praises.

36 Blessed the Lord God of Israel from everlasting and to everlasting: And all the people shall say, Amen. So they praised the Lord.

37 And they left there Asaph and his brethren before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to minister before the ark continually, according to the service of each day: from day to day.

38 And Abdedom and his brethren sixty and eight; and Abdedom the son of Idithun, and Osa, to be door-keepers.

39 And Sadoc the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place in Gabaon,

40 to offer up whole-burnt-offerings continually morning and evening, and according to all things written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded the children of Israel by Moses the servant of God.

41 And with him Aeman and Idithun, and the rest chosen out by name to praise the Lord, for his mercy for ever.

42 And with them trumpets and cymbals to sound aloud, and musical instruments for the songs of God: and the sons of Idithun at the gate.

43 And all the people went every one to his home: and David returned to bless his house.

Chronicles I 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