1 Chronicles

Retells some stories from Samuel and Kings, focusing on King David and the importance of worship.

Chapter 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.

*They carried God's box to the center of the tent David made for it. Then they gave special gifts to God through burning offerings and peace offerings.

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.

*When David finished offering the sacrifices, he thanked the people using God's name.

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.

*He gave everyone in Israel, men and women, a loaf of bread, some tasty meat, and a jug 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:

*He chose some Levites to serve in front of the LORD's ark, to keep records, 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;

*Asaph led the group, which included Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obededom. Jeiel played the psaltery and harp, while Asaph used cymbals to create a sound.

6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

*Benaiah and Jahaziel, who were priests, played trumpets constantly in front of the sacred box that held God's agreement.

7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

*On that day, David gave this thanksgiving song to Asaph and his brothers to sing to the LORD.

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

*Thank the LORD, ask for His help, tell others about what He does.

9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

*Sing to Him, praise Him with songs, talk about all the amazing things He has done.

10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

*Praise him for his holy name! Be happy in your hearts if you're looking for the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

*Look for God and His power, always search for Him.

12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

*Remember the amazing things he has done, his miracles, and the wise words from his mouth;

13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

*O you people of Israel, God's servant, and you children of Jacob, his special ones.

14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

*He is our God, and he makes decisions everywhere on Earth.

15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

*Always remember his agreement; the message he gave for many, many generations.

16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

*Even in the agreement God made with Abraham and the promise He gave to Isaac;

17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

*God has established this as a permanent agreement with Jacob (and his descendants Israel), as an unending covenant.

18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

*I will give you the land of Canaan, it is your inherited territory.

19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

*When there were just a few of you, like a small group, and you were new to the place.

20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

*As they traveled from country to country and from one kingdom to another group of people;

21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

*He didn't let anyone mistreat them: yes, he scolded kings for their benefit.

22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

*"Don't touch God's chosen ones and don't hurt my messengers."

23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

*Sing to God, everyone on Earth; show His saving power every day.

24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

*Share how great he is with people outside; tell everyone about his amazing actions.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

*The LORD is very great and deserves lots of praise. He is more fear-inspiring than any other god.

26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

*All the gods people worship are fake: but the LORD is the one who created the sky.

27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

*Glory and honor are found when he's around; strength and happiness are present where he is.

28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

*Give glory and strength to the Lord, all you who are related to the people.

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.

*Give glory to God as is fitting for His name. Offer a gift and come to Him. Worship God with pure devotion.

30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

*Everyone on Earth should be afraid of him. The world needs to stay still and not move.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

*Heaven should celebrate, Earth should be happy, and people everywhere should say, "The Lord is in control."

32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

*Let the ocean make noise, along with everything in it; let the fields be happy, along with everything in them.

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

*Then, the forest trees will happily sing when the LORD arrives because he is coming to fairly judge the world.

34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

*Thank God, because he's kind and his love lasts forever.

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.

*And say, "Save us, God of our salvation! Bring us together and protect us from non-believers so we can thank you and praise you."

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

*Praise the Lord God of Israel forever! And everyone responded, "Amen," giving thanks to 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:

*So he went away, leaving the Ark of the Lord's agreement with them. Asaph and his relatives stayed behind to serve the Ark continuously, doing what each day demanded.

38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

*And Obededom and his relatives, totaling sixty-eight; Obededom, son of Jeduthun and Hosah were also in charge of guarding the entrance.

39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

*Zadok the priest and his fellow priests were at the high place in Gibeon, near God's tent.

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;

*To give sacrifices to God on the altar for burned offerings every morning and evening, and follow everything written in God's laws that He gave to 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;

*And with them were Heman and Jeduthun, along with others picked out by name, to thank the Lord since his kindness never stops.

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.

*And along with them, Heman and Jeduthun played trumpets and cymbals for those who created sound, also using God's musical instruments. The sons of Jeduthun were in charge of carrying things.

43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

*Everyone went home, and David went back to bless his family.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes