David brings the ark from B. C. 1042. B. C. 1042. A. M. 2962 21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, || 26 And it came to pass, when God A. M. 2962. and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and helped the Levites that bare the ark Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Shemi- of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered nith to excel. seven bullocks and seven rams, 5 22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was 6 for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful. 27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the 23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-song with the singers: David also had upon keepers for the ark. Verse 21. With harps on Sheminith-Some think Sheminith signifies a harp with eight strings. But perhaps, as was said of Alamoth, it might be the name of a tune, or note, or part in music. Or it might be the beginning of some psalm much used. Its signification is very doubtful, nor is it necessary to know it. To excel-The original word 3, lenatzeach, being derived from 3, natzach, to overcome, is thought by Strigelius to signify an extension or elevation of the voice above all the rest. Verse 22. Chenaniah was for song-Or, as it may be translated, was for the carriage, namely, of the Voice. He was the moderator of the music, instructing them when and how to lift up their voice, change their notes, or make stops. Accordingly, the following words tell us, he instructed about song-Or taught them how to sing; because he was skilful-Was a great artist in singing. Verse 23. Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers-Were appointed to keep the door of the tent in which the ark was to be put and kept, that no unhallowed person might press in and touch it. And in like manner they were to attend upon the ark in the way, and to guard it from the press and touch of profane hands: for which end these two went before the ark, as their other two brethren, mentioned in the close of verse 24, came after it, that it might be guarded on all sides. Verse 26. God helped the Levites-Not only preserved them from committing any error, so that no plague was inflicted upon them as had happened to Ezza, but gave them strength to bear their burden, and encouraged them in their work with some comfortable sign of his presence with them, and appro bation of them. him an ephod of linen. 28 Thus all 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. 29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw King David dancing and playing and she despised him in her heart. "Num. x. 8; Psa. lxxxi. 3.- - 2 Sam. vi. 12, &c. ; 1 Kings viii. 1. 7 Or, carriage.- -P Chap. xiii. 8.-9 2 Sam. vi, 16. Verse 27. David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, also an ephod of linen-" David was clothed with a double garment, with a robe of fine linen, and with a linen ephod. These two garments are expressly distinguished in the account of the vestments of the high-priest, Exod. xxix. 5, and xxviii. 4, 6, and xxxix. 23. The fabric of them was different; the ephod was made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet; whereas the robe was formed all of blue. The shape of them was different; the ephod reaching only to the knees, the robe flowing down even to the very covering of the feet. The robe had no division in it throughout, but was made whole and round, with an opening in the middle of it, at the top; so that it was impossible any part of the body could be seen through it, especially as the ephod, on this occasion of David's dancing, was thrown over it, and tied, probably, with a girdle, as the priest's ephod always was. David clothed himself with these linen garments on this solemnity, both out of reverence to God, and for convenience, because they were cooler. It may be further observed, that this robe was worn by kings, their children, princes, priests, Levites, and prophets, when they appeared on any solemu occasion, and it covered their other garments; see 1 Sam. xxviii. 14; 2 Sam. xiii. 8. David, therefore, dressed himself on this occasion with this long, flowing linen robe, instead of the robe of state proper to him as king of Israel, and which was made of richer materials; and hence he was scornfully insulted by Saul's daughter, as uncovering himself as a king, and appearing in a habit wholly unworthy, as she thought, of his royal character and dignity." See on 2 Sam. vi. 20; Chandler's Review, and Dodd. David's pealm of I. CHRONICLES. CHAPTER XVI. thanksgiving to God. David's sacrifices and alms, 1-3. He appoints Levites to minister before the ark, 4-6. His psalm of thanksgiving, 7–36. Ministers and others are appointed to attend the ark continually, 37–43. B. C. 1042. a A. M. 2962. 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. 2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. 4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: || B. C. 1042. 10 Glory ye in his holy name : let A. M. 2962. the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; e 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and 16 Even of the covenant which he made Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; edom and Jeiel with psalteries and with 17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob, for harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; a law, and to Israel, for an everlasting cove6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with nant, trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. NOTES ON CHAPTER XVI. Verse 4. To record, and to thank and praise the Lord, &c.-To rehearse and declare unto the people the wonderful works God had done for Israel, and to give him thanks for them, and to extol his almighty goodness and his glorious perfections. All our rejoicings should express themselves in thanksgivings to him from whom all our comforts are received. Verse 7. Then David delivered first this psalm, &c.—Or, as Houbigant renders it, On that same day David delivered this psalm, that Asaph and his brethren might praise the Lord by itThat is, on the day in which David appointed the 18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; 2 Levites to sing before God, he gave them the song or hymn which follows. There is, however, nothing in the Hebrew for psalm. And the translation of the LXX. is perfectly accurate, save that they have rendered in, he gave, by erase, he ap pointed. It is, Then, in that day David appointed at first (ev apxn, in the beginning) to praise the Lord, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren. The Hebrew expression, wx, barosh, at first, or in the beginning, seems to imply that David, after this, delivered many other psalms successively into their hands to be sung by them to the praise of God in his public service: see 2 Samuel xxiii. 1; 2 Chronicles xxix. 30. The reader will find some explanatory observations on the following verses, Psalms xcvi. and cv., in which they occur with little or no variation, all but the three last verses of the Psalm. David's psalm of B. C. 1042. CHAPTER XVI. A. M. 2962. 23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. thanksgiving to God. B. C. 1042. is good; for his mercy endureth A. M. 2962. for ever. 35 m And say ye, Save us, O God of our sal24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his vation, and gather us together, and deliver us marvellous works among all nations. 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised he also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. || 29 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. 30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD. 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 day's work required: 38 And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters : 39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, P before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, 4 40 To offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt-offering continually 'morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; 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 34 10 give thanks unto the LORD; for he his mercy endureth for ever; Psa. xcvi. 1, &c.erv. 1; exxxvi. 1. Deut. xxvii. 15. Lev. xix. 4.- Psa. cvi. 1; cvii. 1; Psalm cvi. 47. 1 Kings viii. 15. Chap. xxi. 29; 2 Chron. i. 3. Verse 35. Deliver us from the heathen-This might seem an improper and unseasonable prayer for David's time, when the Israelites were not scattered among the heathen, but indeed it was not so: 1st, 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. xvi. 8; and therefore he justly prays that they might be gathered and united together in hearty love, as well as in outward show; and, 2d, Because this psalm or prayer was made by David for the use of the church, not only in that present time, but in future ages, in which David foresaw, by the spirit of prophecy, the Israelites would forsake God, and for their apostacy be dispersed among the heathen. In the midst of our praises, we must not forget to pray for those servants of God that are in distress. When we are rejoicing in God's favours, we should remember our afflicted brethren, and pray for their deliverance as our own. We are members one of another. 91 Kings iii. 4. Exodus xxix. 38; Numbers xxviii. 3. Heb. on the morning, and in the evening. Ver. 34; 2 Chron. v. 13; vii. 3; Ezra iii. 11; Jer. xxxiii. 11. Verse 37. He left there before the ark Asaph and his brethren-He appointed them their work and station there. Indeed, no incense was burned there, nor sacrifices offered, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as an evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take the place of ceremonial. Verse 39. Zadok the priest-Not the high-priest, but the second, and the chief priest at Gibeon, where the tabernacle and altar made by Moses still were, where also the ordinary sacrifices were offer ed, and the stated worship of God was performed, 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, who now was Abiathar, and who therefore abode with the ark, when Zadok was left at Gibeon. Verse 40. Which he commanded Israel-These must be kept up, because, however in their own nature they were inferior to prayer and praise, yet, as they were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of mighty import ance. Verse 42. With musical instruments of God-mirth and holy joy, there is a vast difference; and Appropriated to the worship of God; not such as the limits and distances between them must be carethey used on other occasions. Between common || fully kept up. CHAPTER XVII. God forbids David's building him a house, 1-10. Gives him a gracious promise, 11-15. David's prayer, 16-27. B. C. 1042. B. C. 1042. A. M. 2002. NOW it came to pass, as David || thou hast walked, and have cut off A. M. 2962. sat in his house, that David said all thine enemies from before thee, to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house and have made thee a name like the name of of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the the great men that are in the earth. LORD remaineth under curtains. 9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, 2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that and will plant them, and they shall dwell in is in thy heart; for God is with thee. 3¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in : 5 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day but 1 have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. 6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedars? 7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, even 2 from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning, 10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover, I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore, I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house. 11 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired, that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: 14 But I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be 8 And I have been with thee whithersoever established for evermore. 2 Heb. from after.- b2 Sam. vii. 14. Luke i. 33. Verse 14. I will settle him in my house-In my dwelling-place, 1st, In Jerusalem, the place where God had put his name for ever; or, 2d, In the temple, which is more properly and constantly called God's house; and so this expression agrees but very imperfectly with Solomon or his successors; who might, indeed, be said to be settled in God's house, because they dwelt near it, and, in some sort, were set over it; and because they were to take care that the priests and others should perform their offices, The prayer B. C, 1042. B. C. 1042. A. M. 2962. 15 According to all these words, and || greatness and terribleness, by driving A. M. 2962. according to all this vision, so did out nations from before thy people, Nathan speak unto David. whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt? 16¶ And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy 0 servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God. 18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant. 19 0 LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these 3 great things. 20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem, to be his own people, to make thee a name of 2 Samuel vii. 18. Heb. greatnesses.- 4 Heb. hast and God's service in it; but, strictly and properly, it agrees only to Christ, to whom alone that promise also of an everlasting establishment in this kingdom belongs, as was observed on 2 Sam. vii. 16. And this expression seems to be most emphatically added to signify that the person in whom all those promises should be fully and perfectly accomplished, namely, the Messiah, should be settled not only in the king's throne, as others of David's successors were, but also in God's house or temple; and consequently that he should be a priest as well as a king; which mystery was clearly revealed to David, Psa. cx. 1, 2, 4, and may be intimated, though obscurely, in these words. And in my kingdom Either, 1st, In the kingdom of Israel, which God calls his kingdom, because he was, in a special manner, the king and governor of it, having raised them up and formed them into a kingdom, and given them that protection and assistance which kings Owe to their kingdoms; and because he expected and required from them what kings do from their people, that they should be wholly governed by his laws, and devoted to his service. Or, 2d, In God's kingdom, in a more large and general sense. And this, as well as the former phrase, may seem singularly to belong to the Messiah, who was not only to be the king of Israel, but also of all nations, as was foretold even in the Old Testament, in sundry passages; and, thus understood, this may be an intimation of that great mystery, which is more fully re 22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God. 23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. 24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee. 4 25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him a house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. 26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 27 Now therefore 5 let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever. revealed the ear of thy servant.- -3 Or, it hath pleased thee. vealed in the New Testament, namely, that Christ is the head, king, or governor of all God's church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, and of all nations, and indeed of all creatures, the angels not excepted; all which is God's kingdom, and by him given to his Son, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 16. Who am I? &c.-We have here David's solemn address to God, in answer to his gracious message. How humbly does he here abase himself, and acknowledge his own unworthiness! How highly does he advance the name of God, and admire his condescending favour! With what devout affections does he magnify the God of Israel: with what assurance build upon the promise! What an example this of believing, fervent prayer! The Lord enable us all thus to seek him! Verses 18, 19. For the honour of thy servantThe honour God puts upon his servants, by taking them into covenant and communion with himself, is so great, that they need not, they cannot desire to be more highly honoured. Servant's sake-In 2 Sam. vii. 21, it is, for thy word's sake, for the sake of thy promise made to thy servant. Verse 24. A God to Israel-He is really to his people that which he hath styled himself, their God, having taken such care of them, and showed such mercy and truth to them, as fully answered that title. Verse 27. Let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant-He is therefore encouraged to ask a |