1 Chronicles Chapter 16 — The Ark and David’s Song of Praise
David places the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, provides food for the people, and appoints Levites to lead a continuous song of thanksgiving to God.
1They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
2When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name.
3He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the LORD’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
5Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
6with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7Then on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to the LORD by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.
8Oh give thanks to the LORD.
9Sing to him.
10Glory in his holy name.
11Seek the LORD and his strength.
12Remember his marvelous works that he has done,
13you offspring*or, seed of Israel his servant,
14He is the LORD our God.
15Remember his covenant forever,
16the covenant which he made with Abraham,
17He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
18saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan,
19when you were but a few men in number,
20They went about from nation to nation,
21He allowed no man to do them wrong.
22“Don’t touch my anointed ones!
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
24Declare his glory among the nations,
25For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
27Honor and majesty are before him.
28Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples,
29Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name.
30Tremble before him, all the earth.
31Let the heavens be glad,
32Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD,
34Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
35Say, “Save us, God of our salvation!
36Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
37So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required;
38and Obed-Edom with their sixty-eight relatives; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;
39and Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the LORD’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the LORD’s law, which he commanded to Israel;
41and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his loving kindness endures forever;
42and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.
43All the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Chronicles 16:11
“Seek the LORD and his strength.”
This verse encourages the people to look to God for their power and guidance.
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
This is one of the most famous declarations of God's eternal mercy in the Bible.
1 Chronicles 16:23
“Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Declare his glory among the nations,”
It emphasizes the universal call for all people and nations to worship the God of Israel.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Chronicles 16, David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and places it in a specially prepared tent. The event is marked by burnt offerings, peace offerings, and a generous distribution of food to the assembly of Israel. David establishes a formal system of worship, appointing Asaph and other Levites to minister before the Ark with music and singing. A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to a song of praise commissioned by David, which calls on Israel and all nations to remember God's covenant with the patriarchs and His wonders. The chapter concludes with the organization of priestly duties at two locations: Jerusalem for the Ark and Gibeon for the Tabernacle, ensuring that morning and evening sacrifices continue according to the Law of Moses.
Frequently Asked Questions
David gave every man and woman a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to celebrate the Ark's arrival.
David appointed Asaph as the chief of the Levites to lead the music and give thanks before the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant was kept in Jerusalem, but the Tabernacle and the altar of burnt offering remained at Gibeon where Zadok the priest performed sacrifices.
Study Note
This chapter highlights the transition of Jerusalem into Israel's spiritual center while maintaining the traditional sacrificial system at Gibeon.
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