1 Chronicles 16:37 kjv
So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
1 Chronicles 16:37 nkjv
So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day's work required;
1 Chronicles 16:37 niv
David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day's requirements.
1 Chronicles 16:37 esv
So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required,
1 Chronicles 16:37 nlt
David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day.
1 Chronicles 16 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 6:31-32 | David put these in charge of the music in the house of the Lord... | Levites appointed for music. |
| 1 Chr 23:28 | Their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron... to oversee the holy things. | Levites' general duties in worship. |
| Num 4:4 | The service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting concerning the most holy things. | Specific Levitical duties with the Ark. |
| Ex 29:38 | Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old daily continually. | Command for daily, continuous offerings. |
| Num 28:3 | Two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular burnt offering. | Reinforces the concept of "regularly" (tamid). |
| Ps 132:8 | Arise, O Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. | The Ark as symbol of God's presence. |
| 2 Sam 6:17 | They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched. | David settling the Ark in Jerusalem. |
| Ex 25:21-22 | You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I will give you. There I will meet with you. | Ark as the place of God's presence/speaking. |
| Lev 24:8 | Every Sabbath day he shall arrange it before the Lord regularly; it is a covenant forever. | Emphasizes perpetual service/covenant. |
| Dan 8:11 | From him a horn grew strong toward the south and the east...and the regular burnt offering was taken away from him. | Highlights importance of "regular" offering. |
| Neh 10:33 | For the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt offering... for all the regular service of the house of our God. | Dedication to consistent Temple service. |
| Heb 9:4 | A golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. | The contents of the Ark, signifying covenant. |
| 1 Chr 24:19 | These were their appointed duties for their service, coming into the house of the Lord. | Orderly service assignments for priests. |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service... and the Levites for their service. | Solomon continuing David's organized worship. |
| Isa 60:11 | Your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night... | Figurative language of continuous access/worship. |
| Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | New Covenant parallel of perpetual service. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices. | Believers as spiritual priests, perpetual service. |
| Heb 7:25 | He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. | Christ's continuous high-priestly ministry. |
| Ps 27:4 | One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. | Desire for continuous dwelling in God's presence. |
| 1 Thess 5:17 | Pray without ceasing. | Encouragement for continuous spiritual discipline. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Implies a continuous communion with God. |
| Acts 6:4 | But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. | Devotion to consistent ministry. |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 37 Meaning
1 Chronicles 16:37 details David's intentional appointment of Asaph and his fellow Levites to maintain continuous, structured worship and service before the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. This action established a perpetual daily ministry, reflecting a commitment to ordered devotion in the presence of the Lord, anticipating the later comprehensive worship in the Temple. It underscores the centrality of God's dwelling place and the designated role of the Levites in communal worship.
1 Chronicles 16 37 Context
1 Chronicles 16:37 falls within the broader narrative of David's reign, specifically after he successfully brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and celebrated with great joy and offerings. Chapter 16 focuses on the establishment of public worship following this significant event. David appoints specific Levites, including Asaph, to minister before the Ark. This action lays the groundwork for the organized and continuous Temple service that would be fully realized by Solomon. The Chronicler emphasizes order, the role of the Levites, and the centrality of the Ark as the symbol of God's presence among His people, reinforcing the legitimacy and importance of divinely ordained worship in Israelite life.
1 Chronicles 16 37 Word analysis
- So David left: Highlights David's authority and leadership in organizing the worship life of Israel. He takes deliberate action.
- Asaph and his associates: "Asaph" (אָסָף, ’Āsāph): A prominent Levite, chief musician and prophet (2 Chr 29:30). His name means "gatherer" or "collector." His associates (אֶחָיו, ’eḥāw): literally "his brothers," implying a collective body of fellow Levites appointed with him. This highlights an organized team rather than an individual.
- there: (שָׁם, šām): Refers to the location where the Ark was placed, in the tent pitched by David in Jerusalem, signaling its new permanent, central location for worship.
- before the ark of the covenant of the Lord: "Ark" (אָרוֹן, ’ārôn): The most sacred object in Israel, representing God's tangible presence, throne, and dwelling place among His people. "Covenant" (בְּרִית, bərît): Signifies the Mosaic Covenant and God's faithfulness to His promises with Israel. "Lord" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing that this ministry was directed towards the sovereign God of Israel. The presence of the Ark meant the presence of the Covenant Lord Himself.
- to minister regularly: "Minister" (לְשָׁרֵת, ləšārêṯ): To serve, attend, perform service. Implies priestly or liturgical functions. "Regularly" (תָּמִיד, tāmîḏ): Constantly, continually, perpetually, daily. This term is frequently used in the Mosaic Law for daily offerings (Ex 29:42; Num 28:3), indicating a consistent, unending commitment. This establishes ongoing worship.
- before the ark as each day's work required: "Work required" (דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ, dəvar-yôm bəyōmô): Literally, "the matter of each day in its day" or "what each day required." This specifies that the service was not random but methodical, adapting to the specific daily rites, rituals, and practical needs associated with worship before the Ark. This highlights an ordered and disciplined ministry.
1 Chronicles 16 37 Bonus section
The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes this continuous, ordered service before the Ark to remind them of the importance of maintaining proper worship practices rooted in Davidic and Mosaic traditions. It provides a blueprint for restoration and continuity. This verse also serves as a polemic against disorganized or intermittent worship, stressing the need for perpetual dedication. The appointment of Asaph highlights the significant role of music and song in Davidic worship, indicating that "ministering" encompassed more than just ritual acts but also adoration through praise. David's meticulous organization of these tasks prefigures the comprehensive roles described for the Levites and priests throughout 1 Chronicles, illustrating his role as the architect of Israel's public worship life.
1 Chronicles 16 37 Commentary
David's decision to "leave Asaph and his associates" before the Ark signifies the institutionalization of systematic worship. This was not a temporary arrangement but a foundational act, establishing a perpetual ministry before the very symbol of God's presence. The "regularly" aspect (Hebrew: tamid) echoes the daily, consistent sacrifices and duties commanded in the Mosaic Law, demonstrating continuity with established divine precepts even as the form of worship adapted. The phrase "as each day's work required" illustrates the practical, day-to-day discipline inherent in their ministry. This arrangement set the liturgical stage for the grand Temple worship, showcasing David's commitment to ordered reverence and continuous service to the Lord. It underscores that God desires a dedicated and consistent presence in the worship of His people.