First Chronicles 16 Commentary
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David occupied a political office, but that is our view. The LORD’S view of kingship is very different. The king was a spiritual leader. He was specifically anointed and empowered to lead God’s people in all aspects of righteousness. We are not at all surprised when we see David at the forefront directing the operations at the Sanctuary.
The Bible hasn’t said it plainly but we can tell there is a new dispensation. There is a very big difference between the original Sanctuary, as handed down to Moses, and David’s Sanctuary. Moses’ Sanctuary was very rich in rituals. It was also detailed and quite complex.
David’s Sanctuary, on the other hand, was less complex and came with a different focus.
He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel. Verse 4. We have a very rich and expanded set of terms of reference for ministry at the Sanctuary.
The writer to the Hebrews talks about sacrifices of praise. Chapter 13. Is he reflecting on this marked shift in focus from animal sacrifices and rituals that we have witnessed here? Praise and thanksgiving have become important in David’s Sanctuary.
Asaph and his associates are commanded to praise the LORD for His interventions and His faithfulness. They are to proclaim His name to the nations. The LORD of creation is holy and His love endures forever.
The ministry at the Sanctuary looked inside, but also outside, to the nations that needed to know who the LORD is. The Sanctuary, therefore, functioned as a 24/7 news agency with only one news item: the LORD. His marvelous deeds among all peoples were always breaking news.
The LORD had blessed Abraham with the promise that the LORD would bless the nations through Abraham’s seed. By these public declarations, the nations would come to the knowledge of the Creator God. There is no higher calling than this for the saint: to let the world know about the LORD.
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