David Establishes Worship
October 12, 2021
Commentary
Once the ark was safely delivered within the tent erected by David, burnt offerings were dedicated to God and peace offerings provided a sacrificial meal for the people (vv. 1-3). This was only a tent, a humble dwelling place, but this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. Certain Levites were appointed to give continual praise and thanks to God. Asaph was appointed to oversee the ark in its new surroundings and to offer praises to the Lord. (vv. 4-6). The circumstances of the ark were now much better than what it had been. It had been obscure, in a country town; now it was moved to a public place, to the royal city where everyone might have access to it. It had been in a private room in a house which was enjoyed by courtesy; now it enjoyed a space of its own, not crowded in a corner. This was only a tent; yet this was the tabernacle, the temple which David in his psalms often spoke of with so much affection. Now David had ease of mind with the ark fixed near him.
When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. He then distributed to all the people of Israel a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a raisin cake. After this He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to praise the God of Israel. Asaph was the leader, and Zechariah was his assistant with several others who played the harps. Asaph sounded the symbols; and the priests Benaniah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark containing God’s covenant. On that same day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.
Application
Why not try to commit some verses to memory by using little tunes? My wife used this method very successfully with our children as they were growing up. The Israelites used it and so can I.
1 Chronicles 16:1– 6 (NET)
1 They brought the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. 2 When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s name. 3 He then handed out to each Israelite man and woman a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. 4 He appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord, to offer prayers, songs of thanks, and hymns to the Lord God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the leader and Zechariah second-in-command, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They were to play stringed instruments, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of God’s covenant.