1 Chronicles 16

David and the people offer burnt-offering and thank-offering, when they brought the Ark into the Tent, that David had appointed for it, v.1. &c. and he blessed the people, 2. And giveth to every one Bread, flesh, and wine, 3. And he ordaineth Levites for the service of the Ark, and to praise the God of Israel, 4. Who were the heads over those that praised God with instruments of music, 5. There is described a psalm which David delivered to Asaph and his brethren, to bless and praise the LORD therewith, 7. Which being sung, all the people with one consent spake Amen, praising the LORD, 36. David appointeth singers, 37. Porters, 38. Priests to offer burnt-offerings, for the service of the Ark, 39. This being done, every man went home to his own house, 43.

1. When they brought in the Ark of God, [That is, the Ark of the covenant made to the honor of God] then they set in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: And they offered burnt-offerings and thank-offerings [understand this of extraordinary special offerings which David and the people of Israel offered at this time] before the face of God. [see above chap.13.on v.8.]

2. When David had made an end of offering burnt-offering and the thank-offerings: then he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. [That is, he let the people return home to their own dwelling places, praying unto God for them.]

3. And he dealt to every one in Israel, from the man to the woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a fair piece (of flesh), [To wit, a piece of beef roasted at the fire, as the Hebrew word is interpreted by some. See 2 Sam.6.on v.19.] and a bottles (of wine)

4. And he appointed (certain) of the Levites (to be0 ministers before the Ark of the LORD: and that to record, and to land, and to praise the LORD the God of Israel.

5. Asaph was the head; and Zecharja the second after him: [Heb. his second] Jeiel, and Seniramoth, and Jehiel, and Maitithja, and Eliab, and Benaja, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel with Istruments lute, and with Harps: and Asaph caused himself to be heard with Cymbals.

6. But Benaja, and Jabaziel the Priests, continually [That is, every day at certain hours] with Trumpets before the Ark of the covenant of God.

7. Then on that day David delivered first (this psalm) to praise the LORD by the ministery [Heb. hand] of Asaph and his brethren. [That kis, kinsmen. The word rendered here first, is I the Hebrew, in the head; that is, in the beginning, or the first time. And this is so to be understood, that David first delivered this Psalm to the Levites to praise the LORDF therewith in the public service of god; after that he endited more Psalms. And delivered them to the Levites to be sung. See 2 Sam.23.1.]

8. Praise the LORD, call upon [Oth. Preach, publish] his name, make known his deeds among the nations [this verse, and the 14. Next following verses, are a part of the 105. Psalm. Compare them together.]

9. Sing unto him, sing Psalm unto him, speak attentively of all his wonderous works.

10. Glory ye in the name of his holiness, let the heart of them that seek the LORD, rejoice. [As if he had said, remember that this is a special favor of God: That it is given to you to seek the LORD, therein you may rejoice indeed.]

11. Enquire after the LORD and his strength, [That is, after the strong and Almighty God, See 2 Chron.6.41.] seek his face [to wit, the Lords face, who manifesteth his presence above the ark between the Cherubims. See Jos.4.13, etc.] continually.

12. Remember his marvelous works which he hath done, his wonder-tokens, and the Judgements of his mouth. [That is, the punishments and plagues, which he commanded Moseh to denounce against Pharao and the Egyptians, which are described Exod. Chap.7. ver.8,9.10,11,12.]

13. Ye seed of Israel his servant, the children of Jacob his chosen.

14. He is the LORD our God, his judgements are over all the whole Earth. [That is, although he be a governor over the whole world, yet is Israel his peculiar and proper people by grace. Or, his judgements, that is, his punishments, which he hath caused to come upon the Enemies of his people, are made known and become famous throughout all the world.]

15. Remember his covenant for ever, the word (which) he instituted [See Psa.105. on v.1.] to the thousandeth generation.

16. (The covenant) which he made with Abraham, [See Gen.15.v.18. in the exposition] and his oath unto Isaac.

17. Which he also appointed unto Jacob for a statute, (unto) Israel for an everlasting covenant:

18. Saying; I will give thee the land of Canaan, a line [That is the land measured and divided with a line, See of this phrase, Due.32.9.] of your inheritance.

19. When ye were few men in number; [Hebr. people, or, men of number, that is, people that could easily be told, because they were few. See Gen.34.30. Deu.4.27. and 33.6.] yea few [to wit, in respect of the great number of the Canaanites] and strangers in it.

20. And they [To wit, your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as ye may read of them in the book of Genesis, from the eleventh chapter to the end of the book] walked from people to people, [that is, from one people to another] and from one kingdom to another people.

21. He suffered no man to oppress them, [Or, to do them wrong] he also reproved [or he checked, he rebuked] kings [to wit, the King of Egypt, Gen.12.17. and the king at Gerar, Gen.20.3.] for their sake (saying.)

22. Touch not [Meaning so as to do them hurt, hurt not] mine anointed, [that is, my prophets, as immediately followeth: for the Prophets were endowed with the anointing of the Holy Ghost: as God also commanded to anoint Elisa outwardly. And here are first understood Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which may be called Prophets, because the Lord revealed himself unto them, and communed with them, to that end that they might likewise instinct others concerning the will of God, Gen.20.7. Abraham is called a Prophet. Concerning Isaac, see Gen.27.4,28,29,30,40. And of Jacob, Gen.49. As concerning the anointing of the Holy Ghost, the same may likewise be understood of all the elect and faithful, that have received the anointing of the Holy Ghost, 1 Job 2.27.] and do my Prophets no harm.

23. Sing unto the LORD ye all the earth, [That is, the inhabitants of all the land, or the Israelites all together] publish his salvation [to wit, which he performeth or sheweth towards us] from day to day. [This verse, and the ten next following are recorded in the 96. Psalm.]

24. Declare his glory among the Heathen, his marvelous works among all Nations.

25. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised, and he is terrible above all Gods. [That is, he is more to be feared and dreaded then the gods of the Heathen. The meaning is, men ought to fear and stand in awe of him, and not the Idols; for here these things are not so set one against another, by way of comparison, as if the true God were to be feared, and Idols also, saving that the true God should be feared more then Idols. But by an absolute opposition, thus that we ought to fear and tremble before God, and not before Idols, who can neither help nor hurt. See the like opposition, Luke 18:14. where the meaning is, that the publican went to his house justified, and not the Pharisee.]

26. For all the Gods of the Nations are Idols: [Heb.Elilim, that is, valianties, nothings. The Apostle Paul saith, 1 Cor.8.4. We know that the Idols is nothing. See Levit.19.4.] but the LORD hath made the Heavens.

27. Majesty [Oth. Glory, or, ornament] and glory are before his face, strength and gladness are in his place. [That is with him, to wit, in heaven, or in his sanctuary, where he revealeth himself. See Psal.96.6. The Meaning is, he is a cause of strength, and of gladness, or joy of the Spirit, to those in whom he dwelleth by his Spirit.]

28. Give unto the LORD, ye of the Nations, give unto the LORD honor and strength. [That is, know and praise the LORDS honor and might: acknowledge his glory and strength, giving him that honor that belongeth to him.]

29. Give unto the LORD the honor of his Name, [That is, the honor which thou doest owe him] bring (an) offering, [or, bring hither the meat-offering, or, a gift. By a part of Gods worship, he understandeth the whole worship of God] and come before his face: worship the LORD [see Gen.22.on ver.5.] in the glory of the sanctuary. [that is in the glorious sanctuary.]

30. Tremble before his face, ye all the earth, [that is, all the inhabitants of the earth] the world also shall be established, that it be not moved.

31. Let the heavens [That is, the Angels in Heaven] be glad, and let the earth [that is, the inhabitants of the earth] rejoice, and let them say among the Heathen, the LORD reigneth. [that is, he sheweth and maketh it appear indeed, that he is a King that government all things.

32. Let the Sea roar [Heb. Thunder; that is, give a sound, as the thunder doth; that is, roar, rage, make a noise] with the fullness thereof, [that is, all that is in it. To wit, the fishes, and monsters that are in it] let the field leap for joy, with all that therein is.

33. Then shall the tree of the wood shout before the face of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. [That is, the men on the earth.]

34. Praise the LORD for he is good, [Otherwise, for it is good] for his kindness is for forever.

35. And say, Deliver us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, [That is, seeing we are now united together, keep us together still, that we do to again rent asunder, as we have been formerly rent and divided. See hereof above chap.12.29. But this may further be understood of all future misery and calamity befalling the Church of God] and deliver us from the Heathen, that we may praise thy holy Name, and that we may glory in thy praise. [to wit, thereof, or therein, that we have cause and liberty to praise thee.]

36. Praised be the LORD the God of Israel from eternity: and all the people said, Amen, [That is, all the people shewed, that they assented unto, and commanded such kind of praise, and that which was sung, was also the desire of their heart. See Deut.27.15.] and they praised the LORD. [Others, also praising the LORD.]

37. So be [to wit, King David] left there before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, Asaph and his brethren, [That is, Kinsmen posterity] to minister before the Ark continually, according to what was every day appointed. [or, as every days work required. Hebr. according to the word, or, the thing of the day in its day.]

38. Now Obed-Edom with their [To wit, his, and Hosa’s, of whom mentioned is made in the sequel] Brethren, [that is, kinsmen, posterity] were threescore and eight, and (he appointed) Obed-Edom the son of Jedithun, [oth. Called Jeduthun] and Hosa, (to be) Porters.

39. And Zadok the Priests, and his brethren the Priests before the tabernacle of the LORD on the high place, which is at Gibeon: [Where the Tabernacle was brought and set up, after that Saul had slain the Priests at Nob, 1 Sam.22.19. See also 1 Chron.21.29. and 2 Chron.1.3.]

40. To offer continually unto the LORD burnt-offerings upon the altar of burnt-offering, morning and evening: and that according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he had commanded Israel.

41. And with them Heman, and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, [To wit, to the office of singing] who were expressed by name, to praised the LORD: for his kindness is for ever.

42. With them then were Heman and Jeduthun, (with) trumpets and cymbals [Oth. And with them (to wit) Heman and Jeduthun, were trumpets, etc.] for those that caused themselves to be heard, and (with) instruments of music of God: [or, with musical instruments of God: that is, wherewith they praised God, singing and playing holy songs and hymnes upon them] but the sons of Jeduthun were at the gate.

43. So all the people departed, every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house. [That is, to pray unto God for the welfare and prosperity of it; as above v.20.]