DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2014 September 30
Concert with Two Singers (First Half of the 18th Century)
Giovanni Domenico Lombardi (1682-1751)
Baroque Style with Influences from Neoclassical and Caravaggist Sources
Private Collection
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In 1 Chronicles 16 David and the people concluded the ceremonies begun in the previous chapter. The Levites put the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. And David wrote a Psalm for the occasion. Parts of that Psalm also occur in Psalm 105:1-15 (1 Chronicles 16:8-22); Psalm 96:1-13 (1 Chronicles 16:23-33); and Psalm 106:1, 47-48 (1 Chronicles 16:34-36). The painting above anachronistically illustrates two aspects of the music in the Tabernacle in David's time -- stringed instruments and voices. [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 1:4; 2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 105; Psalm 96].
After David placed the ark in the Tabernacle he and the people made offerings; David blessed them; and he sent them home with bread, wine, and meat (1-3). And David appointed various duties to the Levites, particularly musical duties. To them he delivered the Psalm which he wrote for this occasion (4-7).
THE PSALM: The first stanza praises the LORD for his deeds as manifestations of his strength and judgment (8-13). The second stanza praises God for his covenant and recounts how he kept it by bringing them into the promised land and defeating their enemies (14-22). The third stanza sets the LORD in contrast to all of the heathen idols (23-27). The fourth stanza calls on the inhabitants of the earth to rejoice in the LORD and to give thanks to him; and he calls upon the sea, the fields, and the trees to do likewise (28-34). The fifth, and last stanza, commands men to call on the LORD for salvation. It ends by calling the LORD "Blessed," forever (35-36a).
And the Tabernacle service began and went on continuously (36b-42). "And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house." However, as recorded in 2 Samuel 6:20-23, David's wife Michal scorned David to his face for "uncovering" himself while he danced before the Ark. And the passage cited lists her scorn as the reason that Michal had no child until the day she died. It may be that the LORD cursed her with bareness; or it may be that David put her away into a sort of widowhood. Further discussion can be found here (43).
1 Chronicles 16
1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
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