Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Chronicles 16

1 SO they brought back 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.

Of these three first verses see on 2 Sam. 6. 17, 18, 19.

Marginal references: 2 Sam. 6. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].

7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren:

Whereby it is implyed that after this he delivered many other Psalms successively into their Hands to be sung by them to the praise of God in his Publick Service. See 2 Sam. 23. 1. 2 Chron. 29. 30. As for the Matter of this Psalm, I shall defer the Explication of it till I come to the Book of Psalms, where we shall find it in the same words, in Psal. 96. & 105.

Marginal references: Or, appointed to serve the Lord by the hand of Asaph.

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, and glory in thy praise.

This might seem an improper and unseasonable Prayer for Davids time when the Israelites were not yet scattered amongst the Heathen, but indeed it was not so: partly because they had already been sadly divided by a Civil War among themselves, and though they were now externally and visibly united under David, yet he might justly think that there were some who yet retained in their Hearts their old Leaven, their hatred of him and their affection to Saul. which might hereafter break forth when Occasion was offered, as it did, 2 Sam. 16. 8. and therefore he justly prays that they may be gathered and united together in hearty Love as well as in outward Shew: and partly because this Psalm or Prayer was made by David for the use of the Church not onely in that present time, but in future Ages, in which David foresaw by the Spirit of Prophecy, or by consideration of those Ancient and Sacred Predictions, Deut. 31. & 32. That the Israelites would one time or other forsake God, and for their Apostacy be dispersed among the Heathens; when they should have great and particular need of this Prayer.

37 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 days work required:

i. e. He appointed them their Work and Station there.

38 And Obed-edom, with their brethren, threescore and eight: Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah to be porters:

Or, door-keepers, as the same Hebrew Word is rendred, ch. 15, 23, 24. of which see the Note on v. 23.

39 And Zadok the priest , and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD, in the high place that was at Gibeon,

Not the High-priest, but the second, and the Chief Priest at Gibeon, where the Famous Tabernacle and Altar made by Moses still were, 1 Chron. 21. 29. 2 Chron. 1. 3. where also the Ordinary Sacrifices were offered and the stated and publick Worship of God was performed, as it here follows, for which the Priests were placed there; as the Extraordinary Worship was before the Ark upon great Occasions, as when God was consulted, which was to be done before the Ark and by the High-Priest, Exod. 28. 1[illegible: 1+ letters], 20. 21. who now was Abiathar; who therefore abode here with the Ark, when Zadok was left at Gibeon.

Marginal references: 1 [illegible: 1 word] 14.

41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name , to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever:

So exceeding careful was this good King of Gods Worship that he would have no person employed in it, but such as he appointed to it and were fit for it.

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 were porters.

i. e. Appointed and appropriated to the Worship and Honour of God.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]