1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16:3-36

LORD. 16. And David spake to the chief of the Levites, to appoint their brethren to be the fingers with instruments of mufic, platteries, and harps, and cymbals, founding, by lifting up the voice with joy. 17. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Afaph the son of Berechiah: and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kuthalah. 18. And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jazziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maafeiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters. 19. So the fingers, Heman, Afaph, and Ethan, were appointed to found with cymbals of brath. 20. And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maafeiah, and Benaiah, with platteries on 2 Alamoth: 21. And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azziah, with harps on the Sheminth to excel. 22. Chenaniah chief of the Levites was a few fong; he instructed about the fong, because he was skilful. 23. And Berechiah, and Elkanah were door keepers for the ark. 24. And Shebaniah, and Jehodaphat, and Nethanesel, and Amalia, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom, and Jehiah were door-keepers for the ark.

c. 1—2. The first attempt to remove the ark proved abortive. The reason of their misfortune David now had learnt; he therefore justifies God, humbles himself, and warns the Levites to be more exact for the future. When we mean well, yet suffer for our mistakes, we must not be discouraged, but with greater circumspection apply to the work before us.

1. David having built his own house, and reared a tabernacle for the reception of the ark, gathers the priests and Levites to the amount of eight hundred and sixty-two, besides their six chiefs; and having admonished them of the cause of the late diadem, reduces them to prepare for the solemnity, and he more exactly observant of the Divine preemption. Note, (1.) The greatest reformers are men, and therefore not faultless. (2.) It is a mercy when we discover our errors, and amend them.

2. The Levites carefully now observed the Divine rule, and God enabled them for their work. Each man had his several poft; some bore the ark, others were porters to keep the doors of the tabernacle from impuders; and now probably surrounded the ark, that others might not touch it, as Uaza had done. Some with musical instruments joined in concert, which others were appointed to lead the sacred fong, and join the vocal with instrumental harmony. Note, (1.) When we have a right minding the way of duty, and ability to walk in it, both these come from the Lord. (2.) Church music, when under good regulations, might still be made a blessing; though the absurd and irrefugious manner in which it is commonly performed, is justly offensive, and a disturbance to devotion.

3. ¶ So David and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the covenant of the LORD, out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. 26. And it came to pass when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks, and seven muns. 27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the fingers, and Chenaniah the matter of the fong, with the fingers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. 28. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the comes, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a nod with platteries and harps. 29. ¶ And is came to pass by the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing; and the despised him in her heart.

4. 29.—29. With solemn sacrifices, as atonements for gall mistakes, and to obtain perfect assistance, the Levites proceeded, supported under their burden, and with every expression of joy, David and the people rejoiced before the ark. Michal, David’s wife, seems the only discontented spirit that was that day in Israel. She could not without indignation and contempt behold her husband, as she thought, thus demeaning himself. Note, (1.) Songs of praise are the natural expressions of the soul that is happy to God. (2.) They who have no relief for a christian’s joys, are apt to despise them, and think these services of religion mean and contemptible, which the believer counts his most honourable and happy employment.

Here is, 1. The skirmish with which the ark was fixed, vers 1—6. 2. The plain David gave to be fong on this section, vers 7—30. 3. The fitting of the confines dated worship of God in order from thenceforward, vers 37—43.

1. So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt-facrifices and peace-offerings before God. 2. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offerings, and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3. And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of taste. 4. ¶ And he appointed errans of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: 5. Afaph the chief, and erect to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel: with platteries, and with harps: but Afaph made a sound with cymbals. 6. Benaiah also and Jahdziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

1—6. The ark being safely lodged, vast sacrifices were offered in honour to God; the people nobly feasted, and a constant course of Levites were now appointed to sing God’s praises, and to commemorate the mercies they had received from him. Note, (1.) Grateful praise is the most acceptable sacrifice. (2.) The hungry who wait upon God, shall be filled with his good things. (3.) Our worship of God must be regular and constant: whatever engagements may call us off, we must never omit the daily work of prayer and praise.

7. ¶ Then on that day, David delivered first this plain to thank the LORD, into the hand of Afaph and his brethren. 8. Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9. Sing unto him, sing plains unto him, talk you of all his wondrous works. 10. Glory ye in his holy name, let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. 13. O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen ones. 14. He is the LORD our God, his judgments are in all the earth. 15. Be ye mindful always of his covenant: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; 16. Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his each unto Isaac. 17. And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant; 18. Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance. 19. When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. 20. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people: 21. He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes. 22. Saying, Touch not mine a pointed, and do my prophets no harm. 23. Sing unto the LORD all the earth: I shew firsts from day to day his salvation. 24. Declare his glory among the heathen: his marvellous works among all nations. 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 people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27. Glory and honour are in his presence, strength and gladness are in his place. 28. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29. Give unto the LORD the glory of our unto his name: bring an offering and come before him, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30. Fear before him all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, the LORD reigneth. 32. Let the sea rove, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33. Then shall the trees

It opens, [1.] With thanksgiving. God’s people, [1.] Are bound to praise him. [2.] To call upon him in prayer, for the continuance of his mercies. [3.] To publish his glory to others, v. 9. [4.] To rejoice in him, yea to glory in his name, in his love, power, faithfulness, and mercy. [5.] It contains grateful memorials of God’s dealings, which deserve everlasting remembrance; [1.] His election of his people, of sovereign grace, v. 13. [2.] The covenant established with their fathers, and fulfilled to them, v. 15—18. [3.] The miraculous works and providential preservation for which they were indebted, v. 22, 19—23. [4.] The statutes and judgments of his revealed will, with which they were so peculiarly favoured, v. 12. [5.] It proceeds to declare the transcendent excellency of Israel’s God; [1.] He, as the creator, is alone deferring worth, fear, and adoration, v. 25, 26. [2.] His perfections are great beyond compare, his strength almighty, his goodness unattainable, his glory surpassing, his dominion universal, v. 27—32, 34. [3.] He who is the universal governor, is also the universal judge; at whose bar the eternal state of man must be determined, v. 33. [4.] In consequence of these views of God’s glory, and past experience of his mercy, the Psalmist claims his song of praise with the language of prayer; [1.] He begs salvation from every enemy, v. 35. [2.] That God would gather together his elect, now in the land of promise, and thereby in the regions of glory, v. 35. [3.] The consequence of his continual grace will engage their everlasting praise, v. 36. [5.] The people hereunto added their joyful Amen, and praised the Lord. And so may every faithful God, in every age and place, exalt God’s glory, grace and faithfulness; and as in duty bounden, earnestly supplicate the continuance of the same blessings.

37. ¶ So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, Afaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every days work required: 38. And Obed-edom, with their brethren, three score and eight: Obed-edom also the son of Jeruzhun, and Hofah to be porters: 39. And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priest’s before the tabernacle of the LORD, in the high place that ever at Gibson, 40. To offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD, upon the altar of the burnt-offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that it writers in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel: 41. And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endures for ever: 42. And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets, and cymbals, for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God: and the sons of Jeruzhun were porters. 43. And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

1 Chronicles 16:37-43

The ark being fixed at Jerusalem, and the Levites appointed to minister before it, David takes a like case of the tabernacle at Gibson, v. 39. There Zadok attended, with the priest and Levites, to offer the appointed sacrifices continually, whilst Abiathar probably abode at Jerusalem, to confute the Lord before the ark. The service of God being thus settled, the people departed with joy, and David went down to bless his house, to pray with them, and for them. Now, Public services must never supersede private and family devotion.