1 Chronicles 16:1-43

The Book of 1 Chronicles

God rules History

1 Chronicles

Ian Mackervoy

Chapter 16

The people *worship and praise the *LORD – 1 Chronicles 16:1-43

v1 David set up a tent for the *ark of God. They brought the *ark and they put it in the tent. Then they gave to God *sacrifices by fire and *sacrifices for peace. v2 When David had given all these *sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the *LORD. v3 He gave to every man and woman in *Israel a loaf of bread, and some dried fruits called dates and raisins.

v4 Then David appointed some of the *Levites to serve in front of the *ark of the *LORD. They would pray and they would give thanks to the *LORD. And they would praise the *LORD, the God of *Israel. v5 Asaph was the leader and Zechariah was second to him. Then there were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. These men played *harps and *lyres. Asaph played the *cymbals. v6 Regularly, the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel would sound the *trumpets in front of the *ark of God’s special promise.

v7 That day David first gave to Asaph and to his relatives the task to praise the *LORD with songs.

v8 Give thanks to the *LORD and pray to him.

Tell the nations what he has done.

v9 Sing to him, praise him with songs.

Tell about all his wonderful works.

v10 Praise and *worship his holy name.

Let the hearts of the people who desire the *LORD be full of joy.

v11 Follow the *LORD and depend on his strength.

Always desire to please him.

v12 Remember the wonderful works that he has done.

He has done great deeds and he has spoken his judgements.

v13 You are the *descendants of his servant, *Israel.

You are the children (*descendants) of Jacob. The *LORD chose you to be his people.

v14 He is the *LORD our God.

His judgements are in all the earth.

v15 Always remember his special promise.

He gave that promise to people for 1000 ages.

v16 He made that special promise to Abraham. And the *LORD will do all that he said.

He will do all that he promised to Isaac.

v17 He made that special promise to be a law for Jacob’s people.

It is a special promise for *Israel that will last always.

v18 He said, ‘I will give the country called Canaan to you.

It will belong to you.’

v19 When God’s people were few in number,

not many, they were strangers there.

v20 They went from one nation to another.

They went from one *kingdom to another.

v21 But he did not let anyone hurt them.

To protect them, he warned kings.

v22 He said, ‘Do not even touch my people. I chose them.

And do not hurt my *prophets.’

v23 Sing to the *LORD, all the earth.

Declare each day that the *LORD rescues us.

v24 Declare his *glory among the nations.

Tell the people from all the nations about his wonderful deeds.

v25 The *LORD is great. And he deserves that everyone should praise him.

All people should respect him because he is much greater than all other gods.

v26 All the gods of the nations are false gods

but the *LORD made the skies.

v27 Honour and royal greatness belong to him.

Strength and joy are in his home.

v28 All you families in the nations give to the *LORD!

Give to him honour and strength.

v29 Give to the *LORD the honour that his name deserves.

Bring a gift and come to him.

*Worship the *LORD because he is wonderfully holy.

v30 Let the whole world tremble in front of the *LORD.

He established and he put the earth in its place. And nobody can ever move it.

v31 Let the skies be glad and let joy fill the earth.

And let the people in other nations say, ‘The *LORD rules.’

v32 Let the sea and everything in it shout.

Let the fields and everything in them be glad.

v33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy to the *LORD.

They will sing because he comes as the judge of the earth.

v34 Thank the *LORD because he is good.

And his love will never end.

v35 Cry out to him, ‘Rescue us! You are the God who saves us.

Bring us back and rescue us from other nations.

Then we will give thanks to your holy name.

We will be glad and we will praise you.’

v36 Praise the *LORD, the God of *Israel.

He always was and he always will be.

Then all the people said ‘*Amen’ and they praised the *LORD.

v37 David left Asaph and the other *Levites there in front of the *ark of the *LORD’s special promise. There they would serve the *LORD as they carried out the proper duties for each day. v38 David also left Obed-Edom and 68 other *Levites to serve with them. Obed-Edom (the son of Jeduthun) and Hosah would guard the *ark.

v39 David left Zadok the priest and the other priests with him in front of the *LORD’s tent. This tent was at the place of *worship in Gibeon. v40 In the morning and in the evening these priests made *sacrifices by fire to the *LORD. They put these *sacrifices on the *altar for *burnt *sacrifices. They did this as it says in the law of the *LORD. This is the law that the *LORD gave to *Israel to obey. v41 With the priests were Heman, Jeduthun, and other *Levites. David chose each of these by name. Their task was to praise the *LORD with songs because his love never ends. v42 Heman and Jeduthun sounded the *trumpets and *cymbals. They also played other musical instruments for the songs of *worship. The sons of Jeduthun were guards at the gate.

v43 Then all the people went home. And David went home to bless his family.

Verses 1-6 David had prepared a place for the *ark. He set up a special tent for it. The *Levites put the *ark in its place. David provided *sacrifices by fire and *sacrifices for peace. The priests would have made the *sacrifices on behalf of David. Only the priests (the *descendants of Aaron) could offer the *sacrifices to God. The priests had to belong to the family of Aaron. When the priests had made the *sacrifices, David blessed the people.

Also, the people brought *sacrifices to the priests. The priests made *sacrifices by fire and *sacrifices for peace on behalf of the people (2 Samuel 6:17).

In the *sacrifice for peace, the priests would burn certain parts of the animal. The people ate the rest of the meat (Leviticus 7:11-15). They sat as if they were guests at the *LORD’s table. In this meal, they showed that they had peace (a right relationship) with God. In addition to the food from the *sacrifices for peace, David gave more food to the people. He gave to them bread, dates and raisins. (Dates and raisins are dried fruit.)

David had appointed *Levites as musicians and leaders of songs to bring the *ark to Jerusalem. Now he gave to the *Levites new tasks. They would pray and they would give thanks to God in front of the *ark. The other *Levites in the previous list (15:16-22) probably served in the old tent at Gibeon. David made Asaph the chief musician in place of Heman (15:17). Asaph was a leader in the *clan of Gershon. Asaph and his family wrote many of the Psalms. The Book of Psalms shows 12 that they wrote (Psalms 50; Psalms 73:83).

The *worship of the *LORD was now in two places. The old tent was still in Gibeon. There the *Levites served in front of the *altar of the *LORD. The new tent was in Jerusalem. There the *Levites served the *LORD in front of the *ark of God. These two separate places of *worship came together when Solomon built the *temple.

Verse 7 When the *ark was in its new place, David gave Asaph the duty to sing to the *LORD. He gave to Asaph this song, which follows in verses 8-36. The text does not say that David wrote this song. But probably he did write it.

Parts of this song are, with some changes, in other Psalms. Verses 8-22 are in Psalms 105:1-15. Verses 23-33 are in Psalms 96. And verses 34-36 are in Psalms 106:1 and Psalms 106:47-48. None of these Psalms has a title that shows the author.

This song has three main sections. The first section is in verses 8-22. In this part, God has done what he promised to do. The second section is in verses 23-33. In this section, God is king over all the earth. And the last section is in verses 34-36. This is a short prayer for help.

Verses 8-22 The start of the song invites the *Israelites to give thanks to the *LORD. It tells them to praise and to *worship the name of the *LORD. They must follow him. They must depend on him. And they must remember what he has done. The *LORD chose them to be his people.

All of the song refers to God’s actions among the nations on behalf of *Israel.

The *LORD is the God of *Israel. He made a special promise to Abraham. He will do what the special promise said. He repeated his promises to Jacob. He gave the country called Canaan to *Israel. That country will belong to them for all time.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wandered without a home of their own. They were strangers in the country called Canaan. God promised to give that country to them. They had not received it. But their *descendants did possess the country.

While they were few in number, God protected them from nations and kings. These were God’s people whom he had chosen and his *prophets.

Verses 23-33 The *LORD is not just the God of *Israel. He is the *LORD of all the earth. He is greater than all the gods of the nations. He is the only real God. All other gods are false gods. Therefore, all people should praise him.

The *LORD made the skies and the earth. He is the king of all that he has made. So, all people should give to him the honour that he deserves. They should *worship him and they should bring gifts to him.

All that God has made should shout for joy. The skies, the earth, the sea, the fields and the forests will all sing for joy.

The *LORD will come and he will be the judge of the world. He will be the judge of all people. They will all have to give an account of their lives to God. So, he will reward or punish them.

Verses 34-36 God is good and he loves his people. He will always love them. Therefore, they thank him and they praise him.

God’s people were slaves in Egypt. In Canaan, the nations round them fought against them. The *Philistines defeated them and ruled over them. In David’s time, God’s people trusted God; and they cried out to him for help. Each time God’s people turned to him for help he rescued them. David defeated the *Philistines. But he knew that without God he could not win.

The song ends with the call to praise the *LORD. Then all the people said ‘*Amen’ and they praised the *LORD.

The word ‘*amen’ shows that the people agreed with the song. It comes from a *Hebrew word. That word means ‘it is true.’

Verses 37-43 David appointed the *Levites and priests to serve the *LORD. Some of these would serve at the *ark of God in Jerusalem. Zadok and other priests and *Levites would continue to serve the *LORD at the tent in Gibeon.

Both Zadok and Abiathar were chief priests at this time. Zadok served in Gibeon while Abiathar was in Jerusalem.

At the tent in Gibeon, there was the *altar for *burnt *sacrifices. On the *altar, the priests made the daily *sacrifices to the *LORD.

worship ~ acts to show honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
lord ~ someone with authority such as the king.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. The name probably means: ‘He is always God.’ This name has a relationship with God’s special promises to his people.
ark ~ the ark of the LORD or the ark of God; the Bible also calls it ‘the ark of God’s special promise’. It was a wooden box with gold all over the outside and inside. It had two models of gold cherubim on the top (see Exodus 25:10-22). The Israelites kept the ark in the most holy place; first in the LORD’s tent and then in the temple.
lord ~ someone with authority such as the king.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. The name probably means: ‘He is always God.’ This name has a relationship with God’s special promises to his people.
cherubim ~ special angels who were in the most holy place of the temple.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. Or, a building for the worship of false gods. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
angel ~ one of God’s special servants from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
worship ~ acts to show honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
sacrifice ~ The priests killed a special animal when people offered it as a gift to God. They burned all or part of it on an altar. That animal was called a sacrifice. They offered a sacrifice when they asked God to forgive sins. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. ‘To sacrifice’ means ‘to give a sacrifice’.
altar ~ the special table where the priests burned animals or other gifts to God (or to false gods).
sin ~ Sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because they are guilty of sin.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Levite ~ a person who belongs to the tribe of Levi.
tribe ~ The Israelites originally consisted of the 12 large families of the sons of Jacob. These families became the 12 tribes of Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
harp ~ a musical instrument that has many strings.
lyre ~ a kind of musical instrument with strings.
cymbals ~ a kind of musical instrument. A person hits two cymbals together to make a loud crash.
trumpet ~ a kind of musical instrument; it makes a loud sound when a person blows into it.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules and the people over whom a king rules.
prophet ~ a person who speaks for God. He can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
worship ~ acts to show honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
amen ~ a word from the Hebrew language that means ‘we agree’, or ‘it is true’, or ‘let it happen’.
Hebrew ~ the language of Israel. ‘Hebrews’ is another name for the Israelites.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
altar ~ the special table where the priests burned animals or other gifts to God (or to false gods).'burnt (sacrifice) ~ a sacrifice that the priests burned completely on the altar.
sacrifice ~ The priests killed a special animal when people offered it as a gift to God. They burned all or part of it on an altar. That animal was called a sacrifice. They offered a sacrifice when they asked God to forgive sins. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. ‘To sacrifice’ means ‘to give a sacrifice’.
altar ~ the special table where the priests burned animals or other gifts to God (or to false gods).
sin ~ Sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because they are guilty of sin.
clan ~ part of a tribe, a group of families.
tribe ~ The Israelites originally consisted of the 12 large families of the sons of Jacob. These families became the 12 tribes of Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. Or, a building for the worship of false gods. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ acts to show honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Philistines ~ a group of people who lived to the south-west of Judah. They were a nation that frequently fought against the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
amen ~ a word from the Hebrew language that means ‘we agree’, or ‘it is true’, or ‘let it happen’.
Hebrew ~ the language of Israel. ‘Hebrews’ is another name for the Israelites.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Hebrew ~ the language of Israel. ‘Hebrews’ is another name for the Israelites.
Israel ~ Israel is the special name that God gave to Jacob. His descendants were called Israel after him. So, Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
descendant ~ a future member of a family or nation.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.