Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 16

Verse 2

Lord, wishing them all felicity, and making them presents, like the master of a family, ver. 43, and 2 Kings vi. 18. (Calmet) --- Any superior may bless. (Worthington)

Verse 3

Oil. The precise signification of the Hebrew Ashisha, is not known. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "a flagon of wine." (Haydock) --- It denotes any thing "exhilarating." (Tirinus) (Du Hamel)

Verse 4

Appointed, as a prophet, (Haydock) or by dispensation. The high priest has supreme spiritual power, Deuteronomy xvii. 18., &c. (Worthington)

Verse 5

Zacharias, at the head of the second band. These played on the nable and kinnor, as the women did not sing in the tabernacle. Jahiel should be Oziel, (chap. xv. 18., &c.; Calmet) unless he be the same person, chap. xv. 18. (Haydock) --- Instruments. Literally, "organs." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "the instruments of nables." (Vatable) (Menochius)

Verse 6

Jaziel. We read Eliezer, &c., chap. xv. 24. --- Continually. At the appointed times.

Verse 7

Made. Hebrew, "gave first, to thank the Lord, into the hand of Asaph and his brethren this psalm," (Haydock) in order the 104th; and from ver. 23 we find the 95th in the Psalter, with some improvements. (Tirinus)

Verse 11

Power. The ark was frequently the instrument of God’s power; and his people are exhorted to present themselves to pray before it. (Calmet) --- God seemed to dwell there, and often displayed his wonders. (Du Hamel)

Verse 13

Israel. In Psalm civ., Abraham.

Verse 22

Prophets. The ancient patriarchs ruled their families as kings, and directed them by word and example, like the most holy prophets. (Calmet) --- Both are frequently styled anointed. (Haydock)

Verse 27

Place. In Psalm xcv. 6., holiness and majesty in his sanctuary. Hebrew, "strength and beauty in," &c. God is served in his tabernacle with piety.

Verse 29

CHAPTER XVI.

Sacrifice, of flour and wine. --- Beauty. Hebrew, "in the beauty of his sanctuary." Psalms, Come into his courts: adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

Verse 30

Presence. Here the psalm adds, say ye among, as [in] ver. 31.

Verse 35

And say, &c., is not in the psalm; and it seems not to agree with the flourishing state of David’s kingdom: yet he might speak with the spirit of prophecy, or with that all his subjects might live in happiness and concord under him. (Calmet) --- Others think that Esdras inserted these verses to be sung in the second temple, (Lyranus; Estius) when many still remained in captivity. Yet them may refer to the time of Christ. (Du Hamel)

Verse 36

And sing. Hebrew, "and Alleluia," or, "all....said, (or shall say) truth and praise be to the Lord."

Verse 39

Sadoc was to minister at Gabaon, with Heman, Idithun, &c., while Abiathar, Asaph, &c., officiated at Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- This regulation continued till towards the end of David’s reign, (Haydock) when fresh orders were given, chap. xxiii., &c. We find Abiathar and Sadoc were both at Jerusalem, when David was obliged to flee, 2 Kings xv. 24., and 3 Kings i. 7. The altar at Gabaon continued some time longer, 3 Kings iii. 3.

Verse 43

Bless, or feast, (Du Hamel) with his family, on part of the sacred victims. (Haydock)