1 Chronicles 15-16

1 Chronicles 15-16

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 15: David Prepares the Ark of the Lord

                David build himself houses in the City of David and prepares a place for the Ark in the city of David and pitches a tent for it. David tells everyone that NO ONE should carry the ark, except the Levites.

                 David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it, and assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

The sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren, 120.

The sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren, 220.

The  sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren, 130.

 The sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren, 200.

 The sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren.

 The sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren, 212.

David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, and said unto them, 

"...Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it." (1 Chronicles 15:12)

 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. So the children of the Levites took the ark of God upon their shoulders. David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint some men to be the singers with instruments, sounding and by lifting up the voice with joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters.

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth; And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel. And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

 And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

And Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests,blew on  trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and therefore Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul was looking out the window and saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Chapter 16: People Sacrifice and Praise the Lord

                Israel brings the ark of God, and set it in the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. David also blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

                Then on that day David delivered a psalm of thanks to the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

                "Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.  Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 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, and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord." (1 Chronicles 16:8-36)

                So David left the ark of the covenant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required: And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.