mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 16.xml

<div2 id="iCh.xvii" n="xvii" next="iCh.xviii" prev="iCh.xvi" progress="76.40%" title="Chapter XVI">
<h2 id="iCh.xvii-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xvii-p0.2">CHAP. XVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xvii-p1">This chapter concludes that great affair of the
settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement
of the public worship of God during the reign of David. Here is, I.
The solemnity with which the ark was fixed, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.1-1Chr.16.6" parsed="|1Chr|16|1|16|6" passage="1Ch 16:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II. The psalm David gave to be
sung on this occasion, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.7-1Chr.16.36" parsed="|1Chr|16|7|16|36" passage="1Ch 16:7-36">ver.
7-36</scripRef>. III. The settling of the stated public worship of
God in order thenceforward, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.37-1Chr.16.43" parsed="|1Chr|16|37|16|43" passage="1Ch 16:37-43">ver.
37-43</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xvii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16" parsed="|1Chr|16|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 16" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xvii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.1-1Chr.16.6" parsed="|1Chr|16|1|16|6" passage="1Ch 16:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.16.1-1Chr.16.6">
<h4 id="iCh.xvii-p1.6">The Settlement of the Ark. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1045.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xvii-p2">1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in
the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they
offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.   2
And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and
the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p2.1">Lord</span>.   3 And he dealt to every one
of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a
good piece of flesh, and a flagon <i>of wine.</i>   4 And he
appointed <i>certain</i> of the Levites to minister before the ark
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p2.2">Lord</span>, and to record, and to
thank and praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p2.3">Lord</span> God of
Israel:   5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel,
and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and
Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps;
but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;   6 Benaiah also and
Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of
the covenant of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvii-p3">It was a glorious day when the ark of God
was safely lodged in the tent David had pitched for it. That good
man had his heart much upon it, could not sleep contentedly till it
was done, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.132.4-Ps.132.5" parsed="|Ps|132|4|132|5" passage="Ps 132:4,5">Ps. cxxxii. 4,
5</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvii-p4">I. The circumstances of the ark were now,
1. Better than what they had been. It had been obscure in a country
town, in the fields of the wood; now it was removed to a public
place, to the royal city, where all might resort to it. It had been
neglected, as a despised broken vessel; now it was attended with
veneration, and God was enquired of by it. It had borrowed a room
in a private house, which it enjoyed by courtesy; now it had a
habitation of its own entirely to itself, was set in the midst of
it, and not crowded into a corner. Note, Though God's word and
ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall at
length shine out of obscurity. Yet, 2. They were much short of what
was intended in the next reign, when the temple was to be built.
This was but a tent, a poor mean dwelling; yet this was the
tabernacle, the temple which David in his psalms often speaks of
with so much affection. David, who pitched a tent for the ark and
continued steadfast to it, did far better than Solomon, who built a
temple for it and yet in his latter end turned his back upon it.
The church's poorest times were its purest.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvii-p5">II. Now David was easy in his mind, the ark
was fixed, and fixed near him. Now see how he takes care, 1. That
God shall have the glory of it. Two ways he gives him honour upon
this occasion:—(1.) By sacrifices (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.1" parsed="|1Chr|16|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), burnt-offerings in adoration of
his perfections, peace-offerings in acknowledgment of his favours.
(2.) By songs: he appointed Levites to record this story in a song
for the benefit of others, or to celebrate it themselves by
<i>thanking and praising the God of Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.4" parsed="|1Chr|16|4|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. All our rejoicings must express
themselves in thanksgivings to him from whom all our comforts are
received. 2. That the people shall have the joy of it. They shall
fare the better for this day's solemnity; for he gives them all
what is worth coming for, not only a royal treat in honour of the
day (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.3" parsed="|1Chr|16|3|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), in which
David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God
gracious to him (those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy
should show it by being open-handed); but (which is far better) he
gives them also a <i>blessing in the name of the Lord,</i> as a
father, as a prophet, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.2" parsed="|1Chr|16|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. He prayed to God for them, and commended them to his
grace. <i>In the name of the Word of the Lord</i> (so the Targum),
the essential eternal Word, who is Jehovah, and through whom all
blessings come to us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xvii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.7-1Chr.16.36" parsed="|1Chr|16|7|16|36" passage="1Ch 16:7-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.16.7-1Chr.16.36">
<h4 id="iCh.xvii-p5.6">David's Psalm of Praise. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p5.7">b. c.</span> 1045.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xvii-p6">7 Then on that day David delivered first <i>this
psalm</i> to thank the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.1">Lord</span> into the
hand of Asaph and his brethren.   8 Give thanks unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.2">Lord</span>, call upon his name, make known his
deeds among the people.   9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto
him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.   10 Glory ye in his
holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.3">Lord</span>.   11 Seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.4">Lord</span> and his strength, seek his face
continually.   12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath
done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;   13 O ye
seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
  14 He <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.5">Lord</span> our
God; his judgments <i>are</i> in all the earth.   15 Be ye
mindful always of his covenant; the word <i>which</i> he commanded
to a thousand generations;   16 <i>Even of the covenant</i>
which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;   17
And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, <i>and</i> to
Israel <i>for</i> an everlasting covenant,   18 Saying, Unto
thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
  19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
  20 And <i>when</i> they went from nation to nation, and from
<i>one</i> kingdom to another people;   21 He suffered no man
to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,   22
<i>Saying,</i> Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
  23 Sing unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.6">Lord</span>, all
the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.   24
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all
nations.   25 For great <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.7">Lord</span>, and greatly to be praised: he also
<i>is</i> to be feared above all gods.   26 For all the gods
of the people <i>are</i> idols: but the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.8">Lord</span> made the heavens.   27 Glory and
honour <i>are</i> in his presence; strength and gladness <i>are</i>
in his place.   28 Give unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.9">Lord</span>, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.10">Lord</span> glory and strength.   29
Give unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.11">Lord</span> the glory
<i>due</i> unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him:
worship the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.12">Lord</span> in the beauty of
holiness.   30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also
shall be stable, that it be not moved.   31 Let the heavens be
glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let <i>men</i> say among the
nations, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.13">Lord</span> reigneth.  
32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields
rejoice, and all that <i>is</i> therein.   33 Then shall the
trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.14">Lord</span>, because he cometh to judge the earth.
  34 O give thanks unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.15">Lord</span>; for <i>he is</i> good; for his mercy
<i>endureth</i> for ever.   35 And say ye, Save us, O God of
our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the
heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, <i>and</i> glory
in thy praise.   36 Blessed <i>be</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.16">Lord</span> God of Israel for ever and ever. And all
the people said, Amen, and praised the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p6.17">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvii-p7">We have here the thanksgiving psalm which
David, by the Spirit, composed, and delivered to the chief
musician, to be sung upon occasion of the public entry the ark made
into the tent prepared for it. Some think he appointed this hymn to
be daily used in the temple service, as duly as the day came;
whatever other psalms they sung, they must not omit this. David had
penned many psalms before this, some in the time of his trouble by
Saul. This was composed before, but was now first delivered into
the hand of Asaph, for the use of the church. It is gathered out of
several psalms (from the <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.7-1Chr.16.23" parsed="|1Chr|16|7|16|23" passage="1Ch 16:7-23">beginning
to <i>v.</i> 23</scripRef> is taken from <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.1-Ps.105.15" parsed="|Ps|105|1|105|15" passage="Ps 105:1-15">Ps. cv. 1</scripRef>, &amp;c.; and then <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.23-1Chr.16.34" parsed="|1Chr|16|23|16|34" passage="1Ch 16:23-34"><i>v.</i> 23 to <i>v.</i> 34</scripRef> is
the whole <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.1-Ps.96.13" parsed="|Ps|96|1|96|13" passage="Ps 96:1-13">96th psalm</scripRef>,
with little variation; <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.34" parsed="|1Chr|16|34|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef> is taken from <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.136.1" parsed="|Ps|136|1|0|0" passage="Ps 136:1">Ps.
cxxxvi. 1</scripRef> and divers others; and then the <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.35-1Chr.16.36" parsed="|1Chr|16|35|16|36" passage="1Ch 16:35,36">last two verses</scripRef> are taken from
the close of <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.47-Ps.106.48" parsed="|Ps|106|47|106|48" passage="Ps 106:47,48">Ps. cvi.</scripRef>),
which some think warrants us to do likewise, and make up hymns out
of David's psalms, a part of one and a part of another put together
so as may be most proper to express and excite the devotion of
Christians. These psalms will be best expounded in their proper
places (if the Lord will); here we take them as they are put
together, with a design to <i>thank the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.7" parsed="|1Chr|16|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), a great duty, to which
we need to be excited and in which we need to be assisted. 1. Let
God be glorified in our praises; let his honour be the centre in
which all the lines meet. Let us glorify him by our thanksgivings
(<i>Give thanks to the Lord</i>), by our prayers (<i>Call on his
name,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.8" parsed="|1Chr|16|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), by
our songs <i>(Sing psalms unto him</i>), by our discourse—<i>Talk
of all his wondrous works,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.9" parsed="|1Chr|16|9|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Let us glorify him as <i>a great
God, and greatly to be praised</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.12" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.25" parsed="|1Chr|16|25|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), as supreme God (above all
gods), as sole God, for all others are idols, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.13" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.26" parsed="|1Chr|16|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. Let us glorify him as most
bright and blessed in himself (<i>Glory and honour are in his
presence,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.14" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.27" parsed="|1Chr|16|27|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>), as creator (<i>The Lord made the heavens</i>), as
the ruler of the whole creation (<i>His judgments are in all the
earth,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.15" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.14" parsed="|1Chr|16|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>),
and as ours—<i>He is the Lord our God.</i> Thus must we <i>give
unto the Lord the glory due to his name</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.16" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.28-1Chr.16.29" parsed="|1Chr|16|28|16|29" passage="1Ch 16:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28, 29</scripRef>), and own it, and much
more, his due. 2. Let other be edified and instructed: <i>Make
known his deeds among the people</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.17" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.8" parsed="|1Chr|16|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), <i>declare his glory among the
heathen</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.18" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.24" parsed="|1Chr|16|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>), that those who are strangers to him may be led into
acquaintance with him, allegiance to him, and the adoration of him.
Thus must we serve the interests of his kingdom among men, that all
the earth may <i>fear before him,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.19" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.30" parsed="|1Chr|16|30|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. 3. Let us be ourselves
encouraged to triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to
God's name are allowed to <i>glory in it</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.20" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.10" parsed="|1Chr|16|10|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), to value themselves upon
their relation to God and venture themselves upon his promise to
them. <i>Let the heart of those rejoice that seek the Lord,</i>
much more of those that have found him. <i>Seek him, and his
strength, and his face:</i> that is, seek him by the ark of his
strength, in which he manifests himself. 4. Let the everlasting
covenant be the great matter of our joy and praise (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.21" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.15" parsed="|1Chr|16|15|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>Be mindful of his
covenant.</i> In the parallel place it is, <i>He will be ever
mindful of it,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.22" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.8" parsed="|Ps|105|8|0|0" passage="Ps 105:8">Ps. cv.
8</scripRef>. Seeing God never will forget it, we never must. The
covenant is said to be <i>commanded,</i> because God has obliged us
to obey the conditions of it, and because he has both authority to
make the promise and ability to make it good. This covenant was
ancient, yet never to be forgotten. It was made with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, who were long since dead (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.23" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.16-1Chr.16.18" parsed="|1Chr|16|16|16|18" passage="1Ch 16:16-18"><i>v.</i> 16-18</scripRef>), yet still sure to the
spiritual seed, and the promises of it pleadable. 5. Let God's
former mercies to his people of old, to our ancestors and our
predecessors in profession, be commemorated by us now with
thankfulness to his praise. Let it be remembered how God protected
the patriarchs in their unsettled condition. When they came
strangers to Canaan and were sojourners in it, when they were few
and might easily have been swallowed up, when they were continually
upon the remove and so exposed, when there were many that bore them
ill-will and sought to do them mischief, yet no man was suffered to
do them wrong—not the Canaanites, Philistines, Egyptians. Kings
were reproved and plagued for their sakes. Pharaoh was so, and
Abimelech. They were the <i>anointed of the Lord,</i> sanctified by
his grace, sanctified by his glory, and had received the unction of
the Spirit. They were his prophets, instructed in the things of God
themselves and commissioned to instruct others (and prophets are
said to be <i>anointed,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.24" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.19.16 Bible:Isa.61.1" parsed="|1Kgs|19|16|0|0;|Isa|61|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 19:16,Isa 61:1">1 Kings xix. 16; Isa. lxi. 1</scripRef>);
therefore, if any touch them, they touch the apple of God's eye; if
any harm them, it is at their peril, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.25" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.19-1Chr.16.22" parsed="|1Chr|16|19|16|22" passage="1Ch 16:19-22"><i>v.</i> 19-22</scripRef>. 6. Let the great
salvation of the Lord be especially the subject of our praises
(<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.26" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.23" parsed="|1Chr|16|23|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>): <i>Show
forth from day to day his salvation,</i> that is (says bishop
Patrick), his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to
celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefits
of it, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. 7. Let God
be praised by a due and constant attendance upon him in the
ordinances he has appointed: <i>Bring an offering,</i> then the
fruit of the <i>ground,</i> now the fruit of the <i>lips,</i> of
the <i>heart</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.27" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.15" parsed="|Heb|13|15|0|0" passage="Heb 13:15">Heb. xiii.
15</scripRef>), and <i>worship him in the beauty of holiness,</i>
in the holy places and in a holy manner, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.28" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.29" parsed="|1Chr|16|29|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Holiness is the beauty of the
Lord, the beauty of all sanctified souls and all religious
performances. 8. Let God's universal monarchy be the fear and joy
of all people. Let us reverence it: <i>Fear before him, all the
earth.</i> And let us rejoice in it: <i>Let the heavens be glad and
rejoice,</i> because <i>the Lord reigns,</i> and by his providence
establishes the world, so that, though it be moved, it cannot be
removed, nor the measures broken which Infinite Wisdom has taken in
the government of it, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.29" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.30-1Chr.16.31" parsed="|1Chr|16|30|16|31" passage="1Ch 16:30,31"><i>v.</i>
30, 31</scripRef>. 9. Let the prospect of the judgment to come
inspire us with an awful pleasure, Let earth and sea, fields and
woods, though in the great day of the Lord they will all be
consumed, yet rejoice that he will come, doth come, to <i>judge the
earth,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.30" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.32-1Chr.16.33" parsed="|1Chr|16|32|16|33" passage="1Ch 16:32,33"><i>v.</i> 32,
33</scripRef>. 10. In the midst of our praises we must not forget
to pray for the succour and relief of those saints and servants of
God that are in distress (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.31" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.35" parsed="|1Chr|16|35|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:35"><i>v.</i>
35</scripRef>): <i>Save us, gather us, deliver us from the
heathen,</i> those of us that are scattered and oppressed. When we
are rejoicing in God's favours to us we must remember our afflicted
brethren, and pray for their salvation and deliverance as our own.
We are members one of another; and therefore when we mean, "Lord,
save <i>them,</i>" it is not improper to say, "Lord, save
<i>us.</i>" <i>Lastly,</i> Let us make God the Alpha and Omega of
our praises. David begins with (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.32" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.8" parsed="|1Chr|16|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), <i>Give thanks to the Lord;</i>
he concludes (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.33" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.36" parsed="|1Chr|16|36|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>), <i>Blessed be the Lord.</i> And whereas in the
place whence this doxology is taken (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.34" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.48" parsed="|Ps|106|48|0|0" passage="Ps 106:48">Ps. cvi. 48</scripRef>) it is added, <i>Let all the
people say, Amen, Hallelujah,</i> here we find they did according
to that directory: <i>All the people said, Amen, and praised the
Lord.</i> When the Levites had finished this psalm or prayer and
praise, then, and not till then, the people that attended signified
their consent and concurrence by saying, <i>Amen,</i> And so they
praised the Lord, much affected no doubt with this newly instituted
way of devotion, which had been hitherto used in the schools of the
prophets only, <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.35" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.10.5" parsed="|1Sam|10|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 10:5">1 Sam. x. 5</scripRef>.
And, if this way of praising God <i>please the Lord better than an
ox or a bullock that has horns and hoofs, the humble shall see it
and be glad,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p7.36" osisRef="Bible:Ps.69.31-Ps.69.32" parsed="|Ps|69|31|69|32" passage="Ps 69:31,32">Ps. lxix. 31,
32</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xvii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.37-1Chr.16.43" parsed="|1Chr|16|37|16|43" passage="1Ch 16:37-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.16.37-1Chr.16.43">
<h4 id="iCh.xvii-p7.38">The Service of the Ark. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p7.39">b. c.</span> 1045.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xvii-p8">37 So he left there before the ark of the
covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p8.1">Lord</span> Asaph and his
brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's
work required:   38 And Obed-edom with their brethren,
threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah
<i>to be</i> porters:   39 And Zadok the priest, and his
brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p8.2">Lord</span> in the high place that <i>was</i> at
Gibeon,   40 To offer burnt offerings unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p8.3">Lord</span> upon the altar of the burnt offering
continually morning and evening, and <i>to do</i> according to all
that is written in the law of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p8.4">Lord</span>, which he commanded Israel;   41 And
with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who
were expressed by name, to give thanks to the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xvii-p8.5">Lord</span>, because his mercy <i>endureth</i> for
ever;   42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and
cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical
instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun <i>were</i> porters.
  43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and
David returned to bless his house.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xvii-p9">The worship of God is not only to be the
work of a solemn day now and then, brought in to grace a triumph;
but it ought to be the work of every day. David therefore settles
it here for a constancy, puts it into a method, which he obliged
those that officiated to observe in their respective posts. In the
tabernacle of Moses, and afterwards in the temple of Solomon, the
ark and the altar were together; but, ever since Eli's time, they
had been separated, and still continued so till the temple was
built. I cannot conceive what reason there was why David, who knew
the law and was zealous for it, did not either bring the ark to
Gibeon, where the tabernacle and the altar were, or bring them to
Mount Zion, where the ark was. Perhaps the curtains and hangings of
Moses's tabernacle were so worn with time and weather that they
were not fit to be removed, nor fit to be a shelter for the ark;
and yet he would not make all new, but only a tent for the ark,
because the time was at hand when the temple should be built.
Whatever was the reason, all David's time they were asunder, but he
took care that neither of them should be neglected. 1. At
Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were appointed
to attend, to <i>minister before the ark continually,</i> with
songs of praise, <i>as every day's work required,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.37" parsed="|1Chr|16|37|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>. No sacrifices were
offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not
there: but David's prayers were <i>directed as incense, and the
lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.141.2" parsed="|Ps|141|2|0|0" passage="Ps 141:2">Ps. cxli. 2</scripRef>), so early did spiritual
worship take place of ceremonial. 2. Yet the ceremonial worship,
being of divine institution, must by no means be omitted; and
therefore at Gibeon were the altars where the priests attended, for
their work was to sacrifice and burn incense, which they did
<i>continually, morning and evening, according to the law of
Moses,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.39-1Chr.16.40" parsed="|1Chr|16|39|16|40" passage="1Ch 16:39,40"><i>v.</i> 39,
40</scripRef>. These must be kept up because, however in their own
nature they were inferior to the moral services of prayer and
praise, yet, as they were types of the mediation of Christ, they
had a great deal of honour put upon them, and the observance of
them was of great consequence. Here Zadok attended, to preside in
the service of the altar; as (it is probable) Abiathar settled at
Jerusalem, to attend the ark, because he had the breast-plate of
judgment, which must be consulted before the ark: this is the
reason why we read in David's time both Zadok and Abiathar were the
priests (<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.17 Bible:2Sam.20.25" parsed="|2Sam|8|17|0|0;|2Sam|20|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:17,20:25">2 Sam. viii. 17; xx.
25</scripRef>), one where the altar was and the other where the ark
was. At Gibeon, where the altars were, David also appointed
<i>singers to give thanks to the Lord,</i> and the burden of all
their songs must be, <i>For his mercy endureth for ever,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xvii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.41" parsed="|1Chr|16|41|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>. They did it
<i>with musical instruments of God,</i> such instruments as were
appointed and appropriated to this service, not such as they used
on other occasions. Between common mirth and holy joy there is a
vast difference, and the limits and distances between them must be
carefully observed and kept up. Matters being thus settled, and the
affairs of religion put into a happy channel, (1.) The people were
satisfied, and went home pleased. (2.) David returned to bless his
house, resolving to keep up family worship still, which public
worship must not supersede.</p>
</div></div2>