06/13/2026
The Surprise I Found in Chronicles
The books of first and second Chronicles are notoriously the graveyards of Bible reading plans. The chronologies that make up the beginning of 1 Chronicles are some of the most tedious Scriptures to wade through. I know, I just started them in my personal devotions. But, I am glad that I stuck with it, for as you wade into these books, there is a massive payoff. Frankly, the immense treasure that I have found in this book was surprising. Here is one of them.
One of the ancient stories is David setting up the tabernacle for the Ark of the Lord. The Ark had a tumultuous history before this, being captured by the Philistines, sent back to Israel, and since then it had been “homeless,” so to speak. Even David wrongly tried to return the Ark to Israel, which led to the death of Uzza for touching the ark. Now, in chapters fifteen and sixteen, they return the Ark of the Lord to the tabernacle according to the Law of Moses. The Levites retrieved the ark, and they brought it back to Jerusalem, where David had set up the tabernacle. All of Israel gathered together to reconsecrate themselves to the Lord. And it is here that David institutes an additional dimension of worship in the tabernacle, singing and worshiping the Lord.
1 Chronicles 16:4-6, “. 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 Obed-edom: 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.”
Though the Bible has previously depicted the Lord being worshiped through song, this marks the first instance where singing becomes an established part of temple worship. David, the author of the Psalms, is the one who established singing as a regular, organized system of worship in the temple. After establishing singers in the temple, David gave Asaph, who wrote many Psalms himself, the first song to be sung in the tabernacle.
1 Chron. 16:7-11, “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.”
This is massively innovative, not only in the story of the temple but also in the grand story of redemption. Worship through song was now seen as central to the corporate gatherings of the people of God. The New Testament church continues this practice, commanding believers to sing Psalms, lest we think this is just some relic of the Old Testament.
Ephesians 5:19-20, “19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
Colossians 316-17, “ 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Singing was not only central to the temple worship in Israel, but it is also central to the worship of the church! A distinctive function of the body of Christ is that we gather together to worship Jesus in song. Notice the parallels between the Psalm of David and the commands in the Epistles. Worship centers on the Lord; thanksgiving and praise to Him are central, and we absolutely must seek the Lord with all our heart. And while many other parallels could be teased out, Paul tells us that singing together in church is the way the “word of Christ” will “dwell richly” in our hearts. Corporate worship is essential to the life of a Christian.
And while many could make obvious applications from this, like we should sing in church with all our heart, to not skip the singing, to make a joyful noise, etc., what I want to reemphasize is that I was surprised to find this root of a rich Biblical theology in Chronicles. I had put off reading the Chronicles this time through the Scriptures. And while I had read it before, it was never really meaningful reading. In my Bible reading, I had just finished the Gospel of Matthew. After I finish a New Testament book, I like to go back to the Old Testament. As I searched around for a new book of the Bible for my devotions, Chronicles kept nagging at my mind. I wanted to read the prophets, but all I could think was I really couldn’t understand them unless I completed the historical books. So, with a little dread, I dove into 1 Chronicles, but decided to open my heart to the work of the Lord, regardless.
What I was not prepared for was the richness of this book. Far from being the graveyard of Bible reading, this has been a massive blessing to my heart. And what this reminds me of is that the Word of God at all points is a delight, not a duty. In fact, it is David, the main character of our story, that reminds us of this in Psalm 19:7-8, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”
If I had put off reading this part of the Bible, I would never have benefited from its treasure. I would not have enjoyed the blessing of learning that David, the most famous singer in the Bible, instituted corporate worship. I would not have received the Lord’s encouragement and admonition to make singing a more meaningful part of my relationship with Him and to delight more fully in corporate worship. And finally, I would have missed the very important lesson that all of God’s Word is a delight. No matter where I crack open the Word, my Savior is there waiting to spend time with me. The life and joy I receive from spending time with my Lord are found everywhere in the Scriptures. The only barrier to that is my heart.
Maybe you are in the middle of a difficult passage of Scripture. Maybe it’s Leviticus, Numbers, or even the Chronicles! Maybe it has been a while since reading the Word has been a delight rather than a duty. My encouragement is to stick with it, evaluate your heart, and take a note from the man who was after God’s own heart and incorporate song into your time with the Lord. That is how the Word of Christ dwells in us richly, when we open our hearts to the Lord, humbly recognize all His words are precious, and sing to Him personally and corporately.
Serving Together,
Pastor Josh
