1 Chronicles 16:37

_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:_ So he left there ... The sequel of the chapter describes the appointment of the sacred musicians and their respective duties....

37-43 The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself...

This passage is interposed by the writer of Chronicles between two sentences of the parallel passage in Samuel. It contains a detailed account of the service which David instituted at this time, a service out of which grew the more elaborate service of the temple. The language of much of the passage is remarkably archaic, and there can be no reasonable doubt that it is in the main an extract from a record of the time of David. 1 Chronicles 16:5 The occurrence of the name “Jeiel” twice in this list is considered suspicious. Hence, the first “Jeiel” is thought to be a corrupt reading for “Aziel” 1 Chronicles 15:20, or “Jaaziel” 1

EXPOSITION 1 CHRONICLES 16:1 These three verses rather belong to the close of the last chapter, and they carry on the parallel of 2 Samuel 6:1. in its 2 Samuel 6:17-10. 1 CHRONICLES 16:1 IN THE MIDST OF THE TENT THAT DAVID HAD PITCHED FOR IT. So 1 Chronicles 15:1 distinctly states that David had "pitched a tent" for the ark, and evidently to be ready for its arrival. On the other hand, there is no mention of any such tent having been

SO HE LEFT THERE, BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD, ASAPH AND HIS BRETHREN,.... Whom he, that is, David, had appointed for the service of it: TO MINISTER BEFORE THE ARK CONTINUALLY; in singing the praises of God: AS EVERY DAY'S WORK REQUIRED; at the time of the morning and evening sacrifice, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it....

It will be understood that the ancient tabernacle was now divided; the ark was brought into "Zion." (_ See Scofield) - (1 Chronicles 11:5). _...

6. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING PSALM CHAPTER 16:4-43 _ 1. David's appointment (1 Chronicles 16:4)_ 2. The Psalm of praise and thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:7) 3. The Levites and the public worship (1 Chronicles 16:37) A great thanksgiving Psalm was then delivered by David into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. The view of modern critics, that this Psalm is post-exilic, does not call for any refutation, for the text declares that David himself delivered the hymn to Asaph. The Psalm is made up of portions of different Psalms. See Psalms 105:1;...

1 CHRONICLES 15:25 TO 1 CHRONICLES 16:3. See notes on 2 Samuel 6:12. 1 CHRONICLES 16:4. This appointment of Levites to serve before the Ark refers to the permanent arrangements as distinct from the temporary appointment of Levites to bring up the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:17 ff.). 1 Chronicles 16:7. This psalm of thanksgiving and praise is, with only slight variations, a compi

BEFORE THE ARK. This was now in Zion (2 Samuel 6:12). But the altars and vessels were in the Tabernacle at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3). ASAPH AND HIS BRETHREN. These were left in Zion "before the Ark", while the priests ministered "before the Tabernacle" (see 1 Chronicles 16:39 below), until Divine worship should be reconstructed in the Temple....

The Service before the Ark and the Service at Gibeon As Zadok alone is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:39 as "before the tabernacle," Abiathar (Ahimelech) the other highpriest may have been in charge of the ark. Cp. 1 Chronicles 15:11, note. The Deuteronomic law that there should be one sanctuary only was not yet recognised even by kings of a religious reputation. In 1 Kings 3. Solomon is said to have sacrificed at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:4) and before the ark at Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:15)....