Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 16:43
And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
1Ch 16:43
And all the people departed, every man to his house
On family worship
Public exercises of religion, when properly conducted, have a happy tendency to prepare the mind for those of a more private nature.
Our text tells us that David returned to bless his house–that is, to present them to God in prayer and entreat His blessing upon them. This suggests the duty of family prayer.
I. This duty is a practice by which good men have been distinguished in every age.
II. Family prayer is a natural and necessary acknowledgment of the dependence of families upon God, and of the innumerable obligations they are under to His goodness.
III. This duty is enforced by its tendency, under the blessing of God, to form the minds of children and servants to the love and practice of religion.
IV. Family worship may be expected to have a most beneficial influence on the character and conduct of the heads of families themselves.
V. Probable pleas which will be urged for the neglect of this duty.
1. Want of ability. Answer–
(1) Forms of prayer may be used with advantage.
(2) The plea of mental inability will not stand the test of examination, unless it include an incapacity to read.
(3) It is more than probable that those who complain of this inability have never made the trial, and consequently never can form any accurate judgment of their qualifications.
2. Want of time. Consider on what principle this plea depends: that religion is not the grand concern; that there is something more important than the service of God; that the pleasing and glorifying our Maker is not the great end of human existence–a fatal delusion, a soul-destroying mistake.
3. It has been neglected so long that they know not how to begin.
VI. Hints on the practice.
1. Let it ever be joined with reading the Scriptures.
2. Let it be constant.
3. Attend with a full decision of mind, with the utmost seriousness.
4. Seek the aid of the Spirit. (Robert Hall, M. A.)
Davids attention to his household
I. The work in which he had been engaged: the bringing up the ark to Jerusalem. A glorious work–
1. In itself.
2. As typical of Christs ascension into heaven (Psa 24:1-10; Psa 47:1-9; Psa 68:1-35; Psa 132:1-18.).
II. The work to which he returned: to bless his house.
1. To obtain blessings for them by his prayers.
2. To render himself a blessing to them by his conduct.
Learn–
1. How highly we are privileged. The ark, even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, is present in the midst of us.
2. In what way we should improve our privileges. We should endeavour to communicate the benefit of them to others. (Skeletons of Sermons.)
Domestic duties
We cannot always live in public; it is true that we have tent work to do, temple work etc., but when all that is external or public has been done, every man must bless his own home, make his own children glad, make his own hearthstone as bright as he possibly can, and fill his own house with music and gladness. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
And all the people departed, every man to his house,…. Having accompanied the ark to its place, and having praised the Lord for it, and been refreshed with food, see 2Sa 6:19
and David returned to bless his house; his family; the Targum is,
“to bless the people;”
see 2Sa 6:20.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(43) This verse is a duplicate of 2Sa. 6:19-20 a.
Departed.Plural; Samuel has singular.
Returned.Rather, went round (1Ch. 10:14). Samuel has returned, which in Hebrew is very similar.
The incident which in 2Sa. 6:20-23 here follows (Michals encounter with David) is omitted by the chronicler as a matter of purely domestic interest, and therefore out of place in his history, which is mainly concerned with the sacred institutions. 1Ch. 15:29, however, plainly implies the story.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 386
DAVIDS ATTENTION TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
1Ch 16:43. And David returned to bless his house.
IT is truly delightful to see the operation of religion on the soul of man; how it transforms him from a carnal and selfish creature, into a spiritual and heavenly being, who, like the sun in the firmament, steadily pursues his course, and shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Beautifully was it exemplified by David in the history before us; in illustration of which we shall notice,
I.
The work in which he had been engaged
This was, the bringing up of the ark from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem: and,
A glorious work it was
[In itself, it was a work of vast importance. For many years had the ark lain in obscurity at Kirjath-jearim, without any application being made to it for instruction from God. But, when brought up to Jerusalem, it would be accessible at all times; and, in all difficult emergencies, the will of Jehovah might be learned from it. Indeed, the whole account respecting it shews us clearly, in what light it was viewed by the nation at large
As a typical act, its importance rises still higher in our estimation. It was undoubtedly typical of Christs ascension into heaven; for in that view it is spoken of in a great variety of Psalms [Note: Ps. 24. 47. 68. 132.], and in that view the Psalms relating to it are quoted in the New Testament [Note: Compare Psa 68:18. with Eph 4:8.]. Let other Psalms, from the 96th to 99th, be read as referring to both these events, and they will fully illustrate the importance of the work which David had just completed ]
And it had been performed in a manner most acceptable unto God
[In its commencement, it was begun by consulting all the great men in the nation, who were stirred up to concur in it [Note: 1Ch 13:1-3.] In its progress, nothing was left to human invention, as before; but all was conducted with the strictest attention to Gods revealed will. Nor did David commit the service altogether to others: no; he himself attended the procession, and played and sang with all his might; yea, and danced also before the ark with such holy ecstasies, as to subject himself to the scorn and censure of his own wife; who being a stranger to those divine raptures, imputed them, not to pious fervour, but to indecent wantonness. But his joyous exultation was such as the occasion required, and such as, though condemned by Michal, was most pleasing unto God.]
Having seen the service to which he had gone forth, we proceed to notice,
II.
The work to which he returned
Though he might be well supposed at the conclusion of his service to need repose, yet he went home only to protract his labours in another way. He returned to bless his house; that is,
1.
To obtain blessings for them by his prayers
[He would not confine his religious exercises to public occasions, but went home to stir up in his family those blessed emotions with which his own soul was filled. He was anxious that all his wives, his children, and his servants should be partakers of his joy: and therefore he would unite with them in fervent supplication to the God of all grace, that they might themselves know the Lord from the least even to the greatest of them, and all experience the blessedness of his salvation.
Here we behold a bright example, which it behoves us all to follow. Family prayer is, alas! too often neglected, or at best but coldly performed, by many, who profess a high regard for public ordinances: but the true child of Abraham will command his house and children after him to fear the Lord [Note: Gen 18:19.], and will say with Joshua, Whatsoever others may do, I and my house will serve the Lord [Note: Jos 24:15.]. If we have family wants, and family mercies, we should unite our prayers and our praises with our families, that God may be acknowledged as the one source from whence all good either has issued, or can be hoped for: and though we can easily imagine circumstances wherein such domestic services are impracticable, yet we cannot imagine any real piety to exist where such duties are wilfully neglected.]
2.
To render himself a blessing to them by his conduct
[It was promised to Abraham that he should not only be blessed himself, but be a blessing also to others: and this promise is in fact made to all the believing seed of Abraham. To make others happy was no small part of Davids ambition. Hence he went to his house determined to contribute as far as possible to the edification and comfort of all connected with him. He would instruct the ignorant; and teach, not by precept only, but by example also. His determination was to walk before his house in a perfect way [Note: Psa 101:2.] He would not be proud, or imperious, or passionate, or fretful; but would regulate all his tempers and dispositions by the golden rule of doing as he would be done unto: and the law of kindness would be ever in his lips.
How different is this from the conduct of many, who from the public ordinances, in which they profess to take delight, go down to their houses to make them wretched and miserable, rather than to bless them! O let the professors of religion look well to this: for, as a consistent Christian is a blessing wherever he goes, so an inconsistent Christian is a curse, and a stumbling-block to all around him.]
Learn then from hence,
1.
How highly we are privileged
[The ark, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, is present in the midst of us. To him we may have access; and of him we may inquire continually: and every blessing which was typically derived from the symbol of his presence, shall be really and spiritually obtained by all who seek him. If then David and the whole kingdom of Israel felt such exalted joy in the possession of that which was mere shadow, let us not be unmindful of our privilege in possessing the substance.]
2.
In what way we should improve our privileges
[Let us not only rejoice in them ourselves, but endeavour to communicate the benefit of them to others. Let all who see us, be the better for us; and all who stand in any relation to us be constrained to say, that God is with us of a truth.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
PAUSE, my soul, over the perusal of this chapter, and behold the earnestness with which David entered upon the service of the sanctuary, when the Lord had blessed him and the people once more with the symbol of his divine presence. Observe with what holy joy he celebrates God’s praises. How often he repeats in song the glories of the Lord, and the wonders of his grace. And how earnest he is that all the people should partake in the mercies of Jehovah. And when thou hast paid all due attention to David, and the children of Israel, in their joy and thankfulness over the ark of the Lord, then, my soul, turn thyself to behold him whom that ark represented, and think, if it be possible, what a vast increase of mercy thou hast to bless the Lord Jehovah for, in that thou art called in happier times, than to the symbols of the Lord’s presence, for Jesus himself hath tabernacled among men in substance of the flesh, and hast wrought out and completed eternal redemption by his blood and righteousness. Hail! thou holy, glorious, gracious, precious Emmanuel! Oh let my soul be everlastingly rejoicing in thee, I would indeed sing unto thee; I would sing Psalms unto thee; I would forever glory in thy holy name, and be talking forever of thy wondrous works. And no less to thee, in my Redeemer’s name and mediation, would I look up with thankfulness, O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort! Thy everlasting love, and grace, and mercy first raised up Jesus, and gave him for a covenant to the people. And it is the same unchanging love, and grace, and mercy which accepts poor sinners in him now, and makes them forever blessed. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest, thou and the Ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy saints shout with joy. Oh! let thine Holy Spirit so graciously take of the things of Jesus and show them unto us, that every knee may bow before thee, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 16:43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Ver. 43. And David returned to bless his house. ] See on 2Sa 6:20 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
to bless his house. This was when Michal met him (1Ch 15:29).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
all the people: 2Sa 6:19, 2Sa 6:20, 1Ki 8:66
to bless: Gen 18:19, Jos 24:15, Psa 101:2
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
16:43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to {t} bless his house.
(t) Declaring that after our duty to God we are chiefly bound to our own house, for which as for all other things we should pray to God, and instruct our families to praise his Name.