Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Chronicles 16

The Settlement of the ArkThis was a wonderful day for Israel. The ark of God was finally placed safely in the tent that David had prepared for it. David cared deeply about bringing the ark to Jerusalem and could not rest until it was done (I Chronicles 16:1; Psalm 132:4-5 ). The ark had been kept in a small, private place, but now it was moved to the royal city where everyone could come and worship. Even though the ark was still in a tent and not yet in the temple that would be built later, this was a special moment. Sometimes, God’s people worship in simple places, but their love and respect for God make those places important.v. 1: The people brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. These sacrifices showed their respect for God and their thankfulness for His help .

v. 2: After David finished offering the sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord

v. 3: David gave every man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. This was a generous gift to celebrate the day. David wanted everyone to share in the joy and blessing of the occasion .

v. 4: David also appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord

David′s Psalm of PraiseThis section contains the special psalm of thanksgiving that David wrote by the Spirit. He gave it to the chief musician to be sung when the ark was brought into the tent. Some people think David wanted this hymn to be used every day in worship. The psalm is made up of parts from different psalms, showing us that it is good to use different scriptures together to praise God. The main purpose of this psalm is to thank the Lord

v. 8: The psalm begins by calling everyone to give thanks to the Lord

v. 9: David encourages the people to sing to God, sing praises, and talk about all His amazing works (Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts,.

v. 10: He tells them to glory in God’s holy name and let the hearts of those who seek the Lord

v. 11: The people are told to seek the Lord

v. 12-14: David reminds them to remember the miracles God has done, His judgments, and that He is the Lord

v. 15-18: He tells them to remember God’s covenant, the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This covenant is everlasting and still true for their descendants (He remembers his covenant forever, I Chronicles 16:15-18 ).

v. 19-22: David recalls how God protected the patriarchs when they were few and weak. God did not let anyone harm them and even warned kings not to touch His chosen ones (Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm, I Chronicles 16:19-22 ).

v. 23-24: The psalm calls everyone to sing to the Lord

v. 25-27: David says the Lord

v. 28-29: The people are told to give the Lord

v. 30-31: All the earth should fear the Lord

v. 32-33: Even nature is called to rejoice because the Lord

v. 34: The psalm reminds everyone to give thanks to the Lord

v. 35: In the middle of praise, David prays for God to save and gather His people from among the nations, so they can give thanks to His holy name (Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations,.

v. 36: The psalm ends with a blessing: Blessed be the Lord

The Service of the ArkThis section explains how David organized the worship of God to be a regular, daily practice, not just something done on special occasions. Since the ark and the altar were in different places at this time, David made sure that both were honored and that worship continued at each location. He set up a system so that the Levites and priests would serve in their assigned places, making sure that both spiritual and ceremonial worship were not neglected.v. 37: David appointed Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve before the ark of the covenant at Jerusalem. Their job was to praise the Lord

v. 39-40: At Gibeon, where the altar was, David made sure that the priests, led by Zadok, continued the sacrifices and burnt offerings every morning and evening, just as the law of Moses commanded (to offer burnt offerings to the Lord

v. 41: David also appointed singers at Gibeon to give thanks to the Lord

v. 42-43: After everything was organized, the people were happy and went home. David also returned to bless his own family, showing that private and family worship are important, even when public worship is strong.