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1 Chronicles 16

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1 Chronicles 16 Overview

The ark is set inside the tent David prepared, offerings are made, and David appoints Levites for continuing ministry before the ark. A long thanksgiving psalm calls Israel to praise the LORD, remember his covenant, proclaim his works among the nations, reject idols, and recognize his kingship over all the earth. The chapter closes with organized daily service both before the ark and at the tabernacle in Gibeon.

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Before you read 1 Chronicles 16

Coming from

Chapter 15 brought the ark into Jerusalem according to the proper Levitical order.

In this chapter

David establishes continuing worship around the ark and gives Israel a song that joins covenant memory, worldwide praise, and thanksgiving.

Leads into

Chapter 17 moves from David’s concern for God’s dwelling place to God’s promise concerning David’s house and future son.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The song combines material also found in Psalms 105, 96, and 106. Its placement in Chronicles turns Israel’s history into worship: covenant memory is supposed to produce public praise. At this stage the ark is in Jerusalem while the tabernacle and altar remain at Gibeon, so worship responsibilities are being maintained in more than one location until the temple is built.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

Remembering God’s works is a central part of biblical worship.

Truth 2

Israel’s praise is not meant to stay private; the nations are called to recognize the LORD’s glory.

Truth 3

David organizes regular worship rather than treating the ark’s arrival as a one-time event.

Truth 4

God’s covenant with Abraham remains part of Israel’s identity during David’s reign.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

Psalm 105:1-15 parallels the opening portion of the thanksgiving song.

Connection 2

Psalm 96 closely parallels the call to declare God’s glory among the nations.

Connection 3

Psalm 106:1,47-48 parallels the closing language of thanksgiving and gathering.

Connection 4

First Kings 8 later shows the ark placed in the completed temple.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Do not assume the combined psalm must have first been written as one continuous composition; Chronicles uses known worship language for this historical occasion.

Keep this clear 2

The presence of worship at Jerusalem and Gibeon reflects a transitional period before Solomon’s temple.

Keep this clear 3

Commands to praise God among the nations should not be turned into a promise of Israel’s political domination over all nations.

Read 1 Chronicles 16 watching for…

The ministries assigned before the ark.

The movement from covenant memory to worldwide praise.

The repeated call to give thanks.

The contrast between idols and the Creator.

The continuing service at Gibeon as well as Jerusalem.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-6The ark is set in its tent, offerings are made, and Levites minister before it 7-22David’s psalm calls Israel to thank the LORD and remember his covenant 23-36The psalm calls all the earth to praise the LORD and declare that he reigns 37-43Ministers are appointed before the ark and at the tabernacle

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 sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

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.

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 wine.

And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

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

For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

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 is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

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 endureth for ever;

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 Jeduthun were porters.

And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

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1 Chronicles 16:15

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