1Ch 16:40 | KingComments | STEP | Here the thread of history with the ark and the service in connection with it ( ) is picked up again. There is a dual service. We have the service at the ark ( ) and the service at the altar of burnt offering ( ). We don’t know how the tabernacle ended up in Gibeon. First the tabernacle was in Shiloh, in the days of Eli. It has been suggested that the Philistines destroyed Shiloh and left the tabernacle and accessories to the Amorites who established it in Gibeon. That would later have been conquered again by the Israelites. In any case, there is a separation between the tabernacle and the ark. In front of the ark a tent is pitched by David. He must have understood that the tabernacle had had its time and had come to an end to God. The service that takes place takes place at the ark. With the temple, which will be built by Solomon, a whole new building will be built on a new place where the altar of burnt offering will be placed. At the same time, this means that the tabernacle service will definitely cease to exist. The difference between the service and place of the ark and the altar of burnt offering indicates different interests and occasions. Where the ark is, there is the service according to the will of the LORD. Where the altar stands, the ark is no longer. This indicates a tradition, which may continue for a while, as a transitional period. During that transitional period God can endure that service. Before the ark, the service of the singing is performed daily, as is the burnt offering, which is also brought every morning and every evening ( ; ; ). What we read in the last verse of this section ( ), we find spiritually in the church. The father’s house in Luke 15 is a house of music and dance ( ). When music is made, it must result in dance or expressions of joy. Music represents the prophetic ministry that is purposed to move the hearts of the believer, whether in joy or sadness, depending on the message that the servants of the Lord bring (cf. ).

‏ 1 Chronicles 16:40

The Service at the Ark

Here the thread of history with the ark and the service in connection with it (1Chr 16:1-6) is picked up again. There is a dual service. We have the service at the ark (1Chr 16:37) and the service at the altar of burnt offering (1Chr 16:39-40). We don’t know how the tabernacle ended up in Gibeon. First the tabernacle was in Shiloh, in the days of Eli. It has been suggested that the Philistines destroyed Shiloh and left the tabernacle and accessories to the Amorites who established it in Gibeon. That would later have been conquered again by the Israelites.

In any case, there is a separation between the tabernacle and the ark. In front of the ark a tent is pitched by David. He must have understood that the tabernacle had had its time and had come to an end to God. The service that takes place takes place at the ark. With the temple, which will be built by Solomon, a whole new building will be built on a new place where the altar of burnt offering will be placed. At the same time, this means that the tabernacle service will definitely cease to exist.

The difference between the service and place of the ark and the altar of burnt offering indicates different interests and occasions. Where the ark is, there is the service according to the will of the LORD. Where the altar stands, the ark is no longer. This indicates a tradition, which may continue for a while, as a transitional period. During that transitional period God can endure that service. Before the ark, the service of the singing is performed daily, as is the burnt offering, which is also brought every morning and every evening (Exo 29:38-42; 1Chr 23:30; Lk 2:37).

What we read in the last verse of this section (1Chr 16:42), we find spiritually in the church. The father’s house in Luke 15 is a house of music and dance (Lk 15:25). When music is made, it must result in dance or expressions of joy. Music represents the prophetic ministry that is purposed to move the hearts of the believer, whether in joy or sadness, depending on the message that the servants of the Lord bring (cf. Mt 11:16-17).