1 Chronicles 16 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 16 Short Summary:

In 1 Chronicles 16, the Ark of the Covenant is finally brought home to Jerusalem. David celebrates with the people and offers sacrifices to the Lord. He appoints priests to minister at the Ark and the Tabernacle. Asaph managed the ministry and music at the Ark in Jerusalem, and Zadok was in charge of the daily sacrifices at the Tabernacle, which was in Gibeon.

What is 1 Chronicles 16 About?

WHEN:

• The Book of 1 Chronicles was written several hundred years after King David’s reign.  

• David became king of Judah in approximately 1055 B.C, the year Saul died. David’s reign spanned approximately 40 years (1055-1015 B.C.). He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

• The events of chapter 16 took place 3 months after the events of chapter 13 (Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant).

CHARACTERS:

• David – The 2nd king of Israel.

• Obed-edom – The Ark of the Covenant was kept in his house for 3 months after the death of Uzzah.

• Asaph – He was a Levite musician who David appointed to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

• Zadok – The priest who oversaw worship at the Tabernacle.

WHERE:

• David moved the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem.

• The Tabernacle remained in Gibeon (16:39).

OUTLINE:

• THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IS PUT IN JERUSALEM (16:1-6):

  • David put the Ark of the Covenant in the tent he had prepared for it.

  • When the priests had offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, David gave all the people a gift of bread, meat, and raisin cakes.

  • David appointed a group of Levites “to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord” before the Ark. They were to do this, in part, through singing and playing their instruments.

  • Asaph was the chief of the musicians.

• ASAPH’S SONG OF THANKSGIVING (16:7-36):

  • The words of one of Asaph’s songs of thanksgiving are recorded in verses 8-36.

  • The song thanks God for His kindness to Israel and praises Him for His miracles.

  • It mentions God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Jacob to give his descendants the land of Canaan.

  • It recalls God’s protection over His people when enemies tried to oppress them.

  • It exalts the God of Israel above all the phony idols of the pagan nations.

  • It encourages the people to give glory to the Lord and worship him “in the splendor of holiness” (16:29).

• LEVITES ARE CHOSEN TO CARE FOR THE ARK AND THE TABERNACLE (16:37-43):

  • Asaph and his brothers were put in charge of ministry at the Ark.

  • Obed-edom and his brothers were made gatekeepers.

  • Zadok and his brothers went to Gibeon, to the Tabernacle, and they were responsible for offering the daily sacrifices that God prescribed in His law.

  • When the Ark was in its tent and the festivities ended, the Israelites dispersed from Jerusalem and went to their homes.

APPLICATION:

• The song of Asaph is a good model for modern songwriters who aspire to write worship music.

• Its deep, theologically rich, and substantial in content.

• It’s a song that praises God while, at the same time, reminding the singer why God is worthy of praise.

• This is the kind of music the Church needs to thrive in the future.