1 Chronicles 16
2 Chronicles 16 focuses on the events that took place in the later years of King Asa of Judah. Overall, it records Asa's political conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel, the outcome of relying on people instead of trusting in God, and it also documents Asa's final days and his death.
1verseThey brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
2verseWhen David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name.
3verseHe gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4verseHe appointed some of the Levites to minister before the LORD’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
5verseAsaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
6versewith Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7verseThen on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to the LORD by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.
8verseOh give thanks to the LORD. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples.
9verseSing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works.
10verseGlory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11verseSeek the LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more.
12verseRemember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
13verseyou offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14verseHe is the LORD our God. His judgments are in all the earth.
15verseRemember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16versethe covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.
17verseHe confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18versesaying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,”
19versewhen you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
20verseThey went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
21verseHe allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22verse“Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!”
23verseSing to the LORD, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day.
24verseDeclare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25verseFor great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
26verseFor all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27verseHonor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.
28verseAscribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29verseAscribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship the LORD in holy array.
30verseTremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved.
31verseLet the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32verseLet the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is in it!
33verseThen the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34verseOh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
35verseSay, “Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.”
36verseBlessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD.
37verseSo he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required;
38verseand Obed-Edom with their sixty-eight relatives; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;
39verseand Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the LORD’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40verseto offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the LORD’s law, which he commanded to Israel;
41verseand with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his loving kindness endures forever;
42verseand with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.
43verseAll the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.
The Flow and Structure of the Text
- Verses 1-6: When Baasha, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, attacks Judah and builds Ramah, King Asa seeks to solve the problem by forming an alliance with Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram.
- Verses 7-10: The prophet Hanani rebukes King Asa. It points out that because Asa relied on the king of Aram instead of God, he missed an opportunity for an even greater victory. In response, Asa puts the prophet in prison and also acts oppressively toward the people.
- Verses 11-14: In Asa's later years, he develops an illness (it is expressed as 'the illness entered him'). Even while sick, he relies only on physicians rather than on God. Finally, Asa's death and funeral are recorded.
The Meaning of the Text and Its Overall Message
This chapter shows that at the moment of crisis, when people relied only on human methods (political diplomacy and worldly help), the fundamental problem was not resolved, and they did not experience God's help and blessing. Although King Asa initially relied on God and achieved a great victory, in his later years he gradually focuses only on his own judgment and human means, without asking God's will. As a result, the emphasis is on the fact that he could not enjoy peace all the way to the end of his life.
Points to Ponder
- When I face difficulty or a crisis, what do I rely on first?
- Although in the past I chose by faith, don't I now rely only on people or the world's methods out of habit?
- Through God's word, I can reflect on my choices and check whether I have a heart that looks for God's help.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When the time comes to make a decision, first you can review the direction through prayer and the word.
- People, methods, and means are important, but we should make sure that they do not come before God.
- Let us look to be able to listen with an open heart to God's rebuke (the words and advice) and to lay down our stubbornness.
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