1 Chronicles 16 1

1 Chronicles 16:1 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 16:1 nkjv

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:1 niv

They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:1 esv

And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:1 nlt

They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 1 Meaning

This verse describes a pivotal event in Israel's history: the official placement of the Ark of God within a new, specially prepared tent in Jerusalem by King David. Following this sacred relocation, significant worship ensued through the offering of burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. It signifies the re-establishment of the divine presence at the heart of the kingdom and inaugurates a period of intensified national worship under Davidic leadership.

1 Chronicles 16 1 Context

This verse initiates a significant turning point following David's successful, and now proper, bringing of the Ark of God to Jerusalem, as recounted in 1 Chronicles 15 and parallel in 2 Samuel 6. The Ark, representing God's covenant presence and throne, had been absent from Israel's central worship for decades after its capture by the Philistines. Prior to this event, a disastrous attempt to move the Ark (resulting in Uzzah's death) led David to learn the importance of strict adherence to Mosaic law regarding its handling. This moment, therefore, marks a meticulous, divinely ordained return of sacred worship. Historically, it solidified Jerusalem not just as Israel's political capital but also its religious center. Literarily, 1 Chronicles emphasizes the Ark's central role, David's devotion to cultic order, and the re-establishment of proper worship as foundational for the kingdom, often contrasting implicitly with the surrounding pagan practices that lacked such divine standards or understanding of sacrifice.

1 Chronicles 16 1 Word analysis

• And they brought (ויביאו - va·yavi'u):

  • "brought" is an active verb, indicating a purposeful action.
  • This collective "they" refers to the Levitical priests responsible for carrying the Ark on poles (as corrected in 1 Chr 15) and King David, along with the assembled Israelites.
  • It highlights the corporate nature of this religious act, involving leadership and the people.

• the ark of God (ארון האלהים - 'aron ha'elohim):

  • "Ark" ('aron) specifically refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the holiest object in Israel.
  • "of God" (ha'elohim) emphasizes its divine ownership and sacred nature, distinguishing it from any common object. It symbolized God's manifest presence among His people, His throne, and the place of His covenant laws.
  • Its return was tantamount to restoring the very presence of Yahweh to the nation's capital.

• and set it (ויניחהו - va·yanichéhu):

  • "set it" or "caused it to rest," implying careful placement and stability.
  • This contrasts with its previous tumultuous journey and highlights its secure and permanent (for this period) positioning.

• in the midst (בתוך - be·tokh):

  • Literally "in the middle of" or "within."
  • Emphasizes the Ark's central and paramount position, literally and figuratively, within the tent and within Israel's spiritual life.

• of the tent (האהל - ha'ohel):

  • Refers to a specific, newly pitched tent by David in Jerusalem.
  • Crucially, this was not the original Mosaic Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting), which was located in Gibeon at this time (1 Chr 16:39). David's tent was a provisional, local sanctuary for the Ark in Jerusalem.

• that David had pitched for it (אשר נטה לו דויד - 'asher nata lo David):

  • Highlights David's personal initiative, devotion, and practical effort in preparing a suitable dwelling place for the Ark.
  • It reflects his zealous commitment to establishing proper worship.
  • This prefigures his desire to build a permanent temple, a wish granted to his son Solomon.

• and they offered (ויעלו - va·ya'alu):

  • Literally "they raised up" or "they caused to ascend," referring to the smoke of sacrifices rising to God.
  • Indicates the immediate and direct act of worship following the Ark's placement, underscoring its significance.

• burnt sacrifices (עולות - 'olót):

  • "Whole burnt offerings" from the root alah "to ascend." These were entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement, and consecration to God, with nothing reserved by the offerer.

• and peace offerings (שלמים - shelamim):

  • From the root shalem, meaning "whole" or "complete." These offerings expressed communion, fellowship, gratitude, and thanksgiving to God. A portion was burned on the altar, while the priests and offerer shared the remainder in a meal, symbolizing covenant fellowship.

• before God (לפני האלהים - lifnei ha'elohim):

  • "Before the face of God" or "in the presence of God."
  • Emphasizes the direct, unmediated (by human standards) nature of the worship due to the Ark's presence, highlighting reverence and awe. The sacrifices were performed directly acknowledging His immediate presence.

1 Chronicles 16 1 Bonus section

• The Ark's re-establishment in Jerusalem sets the stage for the flourishing of worship arts and psalms under David, many of which recount God's powerful presence.
• This act symbolizes God’s faithfulness to dwell among His people despite their failures, moving the Ark to a place David specifically prepared, rather than the place where it had previously suffered dishonor.
• The dichotomy of the Ark in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle in Gibeon indicates a transitional period where David, driven by divine fervor, began to reform and centralize worship around God’s dwelling place, foreshadowing Solomon's unified Temple worship.

1 Chronicles 16 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:1 marks the culmination of a highly significant event in Israel's history: the re-centralization of God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. After decades of being displaced, captured, and errantly handled, the Ark of God, representing God's covenant, throne, and active presence, is finally settled. David's meticulous preparations, contrasting sharply with the earlier fatal misstep involving Uzzah, underscore the newfound reverence for divine command and sacred protocol.

The establishment of a "tent that David had pitched" in Jerusalem, distinct from the Tabernacle at Gibeon, signified a dual religious leadership: the priesthood continued at the Mosaic Tabernacle, while David initiated a new, zealous form of worship around the Ark in his capital. This duality reflects a period of transition towards the future Temple. The immediate offering of both "burnt sacrifices" (symbolizing full devotion and atonement) and "peace offerings" (representing communion, gratitude, and fellowship) demonstrates a complete act of worship. It's an expression of both humility for sins and joyful celebration in the restored presence of the Most High, establishing Jerusalem as a powerful spiritual center, a blueprint for future Temple worship, and a clear sign of God's dwelling with His people.