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.

1 CHRONICLES 16:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:1 describes how the Israelites brought the ark of God into the tent that King David had set up for it, and then offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings to God. This verse marks the moment when the ark, a sacred object representing God's presence, is given a special place in Jerusalem and honored with worship.

The setting is King David leading the people of Israel after successfully bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem. David had prepared a tent for the ark, showing care and reverence for its importance. The people respond with offerings—burnt sacrifices for dedication and peace offerings for fellowship—demonstrating their gratitude and desire for a restored relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:1

  • "Ark" (אָרוֹן, ’aron): This word refers to the sacred chest that symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its placement in the tent highlights its central role in Israelite worship.
  • "Tent" (אֹהֶל, ohel): The tent is not the permanent temple but a temporary dwelling, showing that at this point, Israel’s worship center was still mobile and not yet fully established.
  • "Offered" (קָרַב, qarav): This verb means to bring near or present, emphasizing the act of drawing close to God through sacrifices.
  • "Burnt sacrifices" (עֹלָה, olah) and "peace offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): These two types of offerings show both dedication to God (burnt offering, entirely consumed) and a desire for harmony and fellowship (peace offering, shared in a meal).

Why 1 Chronicles 16:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the ark’s arrival in Jerusalem was not just a political or military event, but a deeply spiritual one, centered on worship and reverence for God.
  • The mention of both burnt sacrifices and peace offerings shows a complete act of worship: dedication, thanksgiving, and restored relationship with God, not just ritual or tradition.
  • Placing the ark in a tent rather than a permanent temple connects this moment to Israel’s earlier history in the wilderness, while also pointing forward to the later building of the temple by Solomon.

Where else these words appear

“set” Hebrew H3322 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 30:38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • 2 Samuel 6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.