1 Chronicles 16

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 16

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 sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

2And 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.

3And 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].

4And 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:

5Asaph 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;

6Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

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

8Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14He [is] the LORD our God; his judgments [are] in all the earth.

15Be 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 oath unto Isaac;

17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant,

18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

19When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

20And [when] they went from nation to nation, and from [one] kingdom to another people;

21He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

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

23Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

24Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

25For great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared above all gods.

26For all the gods of the people [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

27Glory and honour [are] in his presence; strength and gladness [are] in his place.

28Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let [men] say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that [is] therein.

33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

34O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

35And 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.

36Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

37¶ 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:

38And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah [to be] porters:

39And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that [was] at Gibeon,

40To 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;

41And 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;

42And 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.

43And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David brings the Ark of God to Jerusalem, placing it in a specially prepared tent, and offers sacrifices. He blesses the people and appoints Levites to minister before the Ark with music and praise. David then delivers a comprehensive psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's covenant, wondrous works, and universal reign. The chapter concludes with the establishment of continuous worship at both the Ark's location and the tabernacle at Gibeon.

Medium Summary

King David orchestrates the bringing of the Ark of God into a new tent pitched for it in Jerusalem, where burnt offerings and peace offerings are made. Following the sacrifices, David blesses the people and distributes provisions to all. He then establishes a structured ministry of Levites, appointing specific individuals like Asaph and Zechariah to serve before the Ark with music, praise, and record-keeping. On this significant day, David delivers a comprehensive psalm of thanksgiving, urging Israel and all the earth to acknowledge God's wondrous works, His everlasting covenant with their forefathers, and His supreme reign over all creation. The psalm emphasizes God's goodness, mercy, and His role as judge. Finally, David organizes continuous worship, assigning Asaph and his brethren to minister before the Ark, while Zadok and other priests are appointed to offer daily burnt offerings at the tabernacle in Gibeon, ensuring perpetual service to the LORD.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with the solemn procession of the Ark of God into the tent David had prepared for it in Jerusalem, marking a significant moment in Israel's worship. Upon its arrival, David offers burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, signifying consecration and reconciliation before God. After the offerings, David blesses the entire congregation in the name of the LORD and generously distributes bread, meat, and wine to every man and woman in Israel. He then meticulously organizes the Levitical ministry before the Ark, appointing specific individuals such as Asaph, Zechariah, and others to lead in recording, thanking, and praising the LORD God of Israel with various musical instruments, including psalteries, harps, and cymbals. Priests like Benaiah and Jahaziel are designated to sound trumpets continually before the Ark of the covenant. On this same day, David delivers a profound psalm of thanksgiving, entrusting it to Asaph and his brethren. This psalm exhorts the people to give thanks, call upon God's name, make known His deeds, and sing of His wondrous works, glorifying in His holy name. It reminds them to seek the LORD's strength and face continually, recalling His marvelous works, wonders, and judgments. The psalm emphasizes God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising the land of Canaan and recounting His protection of Israel during their wanderings, even reproving kings for their sake. It then broadens to a universal call, urging all the earth to sing, declare God's glory among the nations, and acknowledge His greatness and fearfulness above all idols, for He alone made the heavens. The psalm concludes with a plea for salvation and a blessing upon the LORD God of Israel, to which all the people respond with "Amen" and praise. Following this grand celebration, David establishes a permanent structure for worship. He leaves Asaph and his brethren to minister continually before the Ark in Jerusalem, fulfilling daily requirements. Concurrently, Zadok the priest and his brethren are assigned to the tabernacle at the high place in Gibeon, where they are to offer burnt offerings continually, morning and evening, according to the law of the LORD. Heman and Jeduthun, along with others, are also appointed to give thanks with musical instruments, ensuring a perpetual and organized system of worship and praise throughout Israel.

Core Concepts

  • Ark of God's CentralityThe Ark of God is brought to Jerusalem and placed in a special tent, signifying its central role in Israel's worship and God's presence among His people. This act establishes Jerusalem as a key religious center.
  • Organized Levitical MinistryDavid establishes a detailed system for Levitical service before the Ark, appointing specific individuals for music, praise, and record-keeping, highlighting the importance of structured and continuous worship.
  • David's Psalm of ThanksgivingDavid delivers a comprehensive psalm that serves as a theological declaration, calling Israel and all nations to remember God's covenant, His mighty deeds, and His supreme reign over creation.
  • God's Enduring CovenantThe psalm extensively recalls God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing His faithfulness in promising the land of Canaan and protecting His chosen people throughout their history.
  • Universal Praise and God's SovereigntyThe psalm extends the call to worship beyond Israel, urging all the earth and nations to declare God's glory, acknowledge His greatness above all idols, and recognize His ultimate reign and judgment.
  • Continuous Worship EstablishmentDavid ensures perpetual worship by assigning specific groups of Levites and priests to minister continually before the Ark in Jerusalem and to offer daily burnt offerings at the tabernacle in Gibeon, establishing lasting religious practices.
  • Blessing and DistributionDavid blesses the people in the name of the LORD and distributes provisions, signifying the king's role as a spiritual leader and provider, fostering communal celebration and well-being.