I Chronicles 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David brings the ark into its tent; and offers sacrifices, peace-offerings, and burnt-offerings, Ch1 16:1, Ch1 16:2; and gives portions to the people of Israel, Ch1 16:3. He appoints proper ministers and officers for the ark, Ch1 16:4-6. He delivers a solemn thanksgiving on the occasion, vv. 7-36. How the different officers served at the ark, Ch1 16:37-42. The people return home, Ch1 16:43.
Open source ↗DAVID'S FESTIVAL SACRIFICE AND LIBERALITY TO THE PEOPLE. (Ch1 16:1-6) he blessed the people in the name of the Lord--The king commended their zeal, supplicated the divine blessing upon them, and ordered the remains of the thank offerings which had been profusely sacrificed during the procession, to be distributed in certain proportions to every individual, that the ceremonial might terminate with appropriate festivities (Deu 12:7).
Open source ↗So they brought the ark of God,.... What is contained in these three verses is the same with Sa2 6:17, see the notes there. See Gill on Sa2 6:17. See Gill on Sa2 6:18. See Gill on Sa2 6:19. . 1 Chronicles 16:4 ch1 16:4 ch1 16:4 ch1 16:4And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord,.... By singing the praises of God: and to record; or bring to remembrance; to commemorate in a song the great and good things God had done for Israel as a people: and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel; for all his benefits, and the blessings of his goodness bestowed on them.
Open source ↗So they brought the ark of God,.... What is contained in these three verses is the same with Sa2 6:17, see the notes there. See Gill on Sa2 6:17. See Gill on Sa2 6:18. See Gill on Sa2 6:19. . 1 Chronicles 16:4 ch1 16:4 ch1 16:4 ch1 16:4And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord,.... By singing the praises of God: and to record; or bring to remembrance; to commemorate in a song the great and good things God had done for Israel as a people: and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel; for all his benefits, and the blessings of his goodness bestowed on them.
Open source ↗It was a glorious day when the ark of God was safely lodged in the tent David had pitched for it. That good man had his heart much upon it, could not sleep contentedly till it was done, Psa 132:4, Psa 132:5. I. The circumstances of the ark were now, 1. Better than what they had been. It had been obscure in a country town, in the fields of the wood; now it was removed to a public place, to the royal city, where all might resort to it. It had been neglected, as a despised broken vessel; now it was attended with veneration, and God was enquired of by it. It had borrowed a room in a private house, which it enjoyed by courtesy; now it had a habitation of its own entirely to itself, was set in the midst of it, and not crowded into a corner. Note, Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall at length shine out of obscurity. Yet, 2. They were much short of what was intended in the next reign, when the temple was to be built. This was but a tent, a poor mean dwelling; yet this was the tabernacle, the temple which David in his psalms often speaks of with so much affection. David, who pitched a tent for the ark and continued steadfast to it, did far better than Solomon, who built a temple for it and yet in his latter end turned his back upon it. The church's poorest times were its purest. II. Now David was easy in his mind, the ark was fixed, and fixed near him. Now see how he takes care, 1. That God shall have the glory of it. Two ways he gives him honour upon this occasion: - (1.) By sacrifices (Ch1 16:1), burnt-offerings in adoration of his perfections, peace-offerings in acknowledgment of his favours. (2.) By songs: he appointed Levites to record this story in a song for the benefit of others, or to celebrate it themselves by thanking an…
Open source ↗16:1-43 The transfer of the Ark (16:1-3) and the conclusion of the event (16:43) are reported exactly as in Samuel (see 2 Sam 6:17-20). However, between these bookends, the Chronicler elaborates on the celebrations that accompanied the event and on the permanent arrangements for worship (1 Chr 16:4-42). David’s psalm of celebration is the central focus of the account.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) אֶשְׁפָּר (ʼeshpâr, H829) — a measured portion אֲשִׁישָׁה (ʼăshîyshâh, H809) — something closely pressed together, i.e. a cake of raisins or other comfits
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָסָף (ʼÂçâph, H623) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);… זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites יְעִיאֵל (Yᵉʻîyʼêl, H3273) — Jeiel, the name of six Israelites שְׁמִירָמוֹת (Shᵉmîyrâmôwth, H8070) — Shemiramoth, the name of two Israelites יְחִיאֵל (Yᵉchîyʼêl, H3171) — Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites מַתִּתְיָה (Mattithyâh, H4993) — Mattithjah, the name of four Israelites אֱלִיאָב (ʼĔlîyʼâb, H446) — Eliab, the name of six Israelites בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) כִּנּוֹר (kinnôwr, H3658) — a harp
Open source ↗בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites יַחֲזִיאֵל (Yachăzîyʼêl, H3166) — Jachaziel, the name of five Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… חֲצֹצְרָה (chătsôtsᵉrâh, H2689) — a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אָסָף (ʼÂçâph, H623) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עֲלִילָה (ʻălîylâh, H5949) — an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing זָמַר (zâmar, H2167) — play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and… שִׂיחַ (sîyach, H7878) — to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or… פָּלָא (pâlâʼ, H6381) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by…
Open source ↗הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as…
Open source ↗זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… פָּלָא (pâlâʼ, H6381) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch בָּחִיר (bâchîyr, H972) — select
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.