Overview
Now that the Ark rested in its new home that David had prepared in Jerusalem, he, with the guidance of the Lord, appointed able priests and Levites to carry on the work continually before the Lord. As God's chosen and anointed king, he had been given the authority to do so and was a gifted administrator. At this point, Jerusalem became a religious centre and has remained so ever since.
As David had commanded, the priests had consecrated themselves for service (15:12). As well as offering sacrifices before the moving of the Ark, the priests also worshipped the Lord by offering Him sacrifices upon its arrival in the tent at Jerusalem. Regular offerings were then instituted in Jerusalem for the first time. Another religious centre was in Gibeon, the site of the original Tabernacle and altar of Moses which Solomon later had disassembled and stored in the newly built Temple (2 Chronicles 5:5). David arranged for both of the high places of worship to have a high priest; Abiathar (of the line of Ithamar) in Jerusalem and Zadok (of the line of Eleazar) in Gibeon. Both places were also equipped with official Levitical singers and musicians to help regularly in worship. The singers were "to give thanks to the Lord, because His mercy endures forever" (16:41).
Much preparation must have gone into this joyous day of celebration when the Ark came to Jerusalem. Enough bread and cakes had been baked for all the people to partake. There also must have been a very large number of peace offerings, for they all had a piece of meat in a fellowship meal together (16:3).
David composed a special song of commemoration, thanksgiving, and praise (16:4) for the singers and musicians to use on this occasion. Parts of this song are found in Psalm 105:1-15; Psalm 96; and Psalm 106:1,47,48. As well as encouraging the people to glorify the Lord, the song served to remind them of His faithfulness and mercy to them throughout their history. He alone was worthy to be worshipped, not a worthless idol. They were to talk of Him and all His mighty deeds (16:9). When believers speak together about the goodness of the Lord, it strengthens their faith. It is sad that often when believers get together, there is no mention of the Lord Jesus in their conversation. We should praise Him continually and "proclaim the good news [i.e. the Gospel] of His salvation from day to day" (16:23). The missionary mandate is not unique to the New Testament; in this chapter we read: "Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples" (16:24). It was the Lord's intention that the Israelites would share the goodness of God to the heathen nations, for He would one day send His Son Jesus for them as well.
The song also exhorted Israel to keep the covenant by obeying all His commands, for there would one day be divine judgment through the Messiah who would come to His people (16:33). Jesus did indeed come to His people and did judge them; but there is a greater day of judgment yet to come, when the Messiah Jesus will come back again. For those who have entered into the New Covenant with Him, it will be a glorious day of rejoicing.
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