The big picture
1 Chronicles 16 opens in verse 1 with “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 22 with “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”, and closes in verse 43 with “And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, people, glory, Israel, name. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 431 Chronicles 16:1-8
1–8: So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that…
1 Chronicles 16:1–8 opens with “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for…” and reaches “Give thanks unto the LORD , call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, Asaph, David.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“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…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Chronicles 16:1-8
King James Version1So 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.
2And 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 .
3And 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.
4And 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:
5Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
6Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
7Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8Give thanks unto the LORD , call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
1 Chronicles 16:9-16
9–16: Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
1 Chronicles 16:9–16 opens with “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.” and reaches “Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, seek, covenant.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.” Naming Sing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 16:9-16
King James Version9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD .
11Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
1 Chronicles 16:17-24
17–24: Hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an…
1 Chronicles 16:17–24 opens with “And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,” and reaches “Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by nation, anointed, Canaan.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
1 Chronicles 16:17-24
King James Version17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23Sing unto the LORD , all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
1 Chronicles 16:25-32
25–32: For great is the LORD , and greatly to be praised: he also is to be…
1 Chronicles 16:25–32 opens with “For great is the LORD , and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” and reaches “Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, glory, earth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For great is the LORD , and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.” Naming Glory keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 16:25-32
King James Version25For great is the LORD , and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28Give unto the LORD , ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
1 Chronicles 16:33-40
33–40: Shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD …
1 Chronicles 16:33–40 opens with “Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD , because he cometh to…” and reaches “To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, brethren, burnt.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD , because he cometh to judge the earth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give…” Naming Save keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Chronicles 16:33-40
King James Version33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD , because he cometh to judge the earth.
34O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35And 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.
36Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD .
37So 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:
38And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
39And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40To 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;
1 Chronicles 16:41-43
41–43: With them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were…
1 Chronicles 16:41–43 opens with “And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to…” and reaches “And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 16 develops its own movement around LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, with particular weight carried by Jeduthun, Heman, house.
1 Chronicles 16:41-43
King James Version41And 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;
42And 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.
43And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Chronicles 16:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
1 Chronicles 16:33 forms a natural hinge: “Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD , because he cometh to judge the earth.”
The final note
1 Chronicles 16:43 leaves the reader with “And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, people, glory, Israel, name, covenant help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.