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TO THE GLORY OF GOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Study No 9
ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT
OF DAVID - cont.
With the setting up of the Tabernacle of David in Zion we see
David establishing a complete new order of worship for the priests and
Levites there.
Let us consider what the Scriptures have to say concerning the
commandments of David which were also the commandments of the Lord.
A. Interpretation of Israel's History.
1. The Tabernacle of David, B.C. 1048 (1 Chron. 15-16).
Here we have the origin of the order of David. David appointed
and ordained singers and musicians to sing and play before the
Lord in His Tabernacle (1 Chron. 15:14-29, 16:4-6, 37-43).
2. The Temple of Solomon, B.C. 1012 (2 Chronicles 3-5).
King Solomon built the Temple according to the pattern that was
given to King David, his father. We find by a study of the
Scriptures that the very order of worship which was established in
the 24 courses in the Tabernacle of David was later on
incorporated into that order of worship in Solomon's Temple.
The Scripture tells us, "It came to pass, as the trumpeters and
singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and
thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the
trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music; and praised the
Lord, saying, "For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever;
that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the
Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of
the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God"
(2 Chron. 5:11-14).
3. The Godly King Jehoshaphat, B.C. 896 (2 Chron. 20).
This has already been dealt with in a previous study.
4. The Godly King Hezekiah, B.C. 726 (2 Chron. 29-30).
In these two chapters we are given the account of the cleansing
of the Temple under the rule and reign of godly King Hezekiah.
Not only did Hezekiah do this, but he also revived the ministry
of the singers and musicians as ordained by David many years
before. 2 Chronicles 29:25-28 tells us, "And he set the Levites
in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with Psalteries, and with
harps according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's
seer, and Nathan the prophet; for so was the commandment of the
Lord by His prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments
of David, and the priests with the trumpets...And when the burnt
offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets,
and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And
all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the
trumpets sounded; and all this continued until the burnt offering
was finished."
What a wonderful service this must have been! It was
a restoration of that order of worship established by the
commandment of David.
5. The Godly King Josiah, B.C. 623 (2 Chron. 35:1-19).
Once more we see a godly King, Josiah by name, raised to the
throne of Judah. The previous King, Ammon, had been a wicked
king, following the sins of wicked Manasseh. Josiah had the
Temple of the Lord cleansed again under the Feast of Passover,
even as Hezekiah had years previous. He charged the priests and
the Levites to prepare themselves after their courses "according
to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the
writing of his son, Solomon" (2 Chron. 35:4).
The service was prepared, and the priests stood in their places
and the Levites in their respective courses (2 Chron. 35:10).
Then we are told, "And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their
place, according to the commandment of David, and Heman, and
Jeduthun the King's seer..." (2 Chron. 35:15).
Here there was a restoration of that order of worship as
established by David in his Tabernacle. All was according to the
writing and commandment of David and of Solomon.
6. The Restoration of Judah from Babylon, B.C. 536
(Ezra 2:65; 3:1-13; Neh. 12:27-47).
As one reads the Scriptures given above we discover once more
the restoration also of the order of David in the singers and
musicians. Two hundred "singing men and singing women" returned
to Judah from Babylon (Ezra 2:65).
When the foundation of the Temple was laid "they set the
priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons
of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of
David, king of Israel. And they sang together by course in
praising the giving of thanks unto the Lord..." (Ezra 3:10, 11).
A number of years later, another company of people came up out
of Babylon to Judah and we are told the Levites who were "with
their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks,
according to the commandment of David the man of God..." (Neh.
12:27, 36).
The Levites were appointed once again to their ministry, "And
both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and
the ward of purification, according to the commandment of David,
and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old
there chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving
unto God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the
days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the
porters, every day his portion..." (Neh. 12:44-47).
7. The Prophecy of Amos, B.C. 787 (Amos 9:11-13).
This has been dealt with in a previous study.
B. Divine Order Of Worship
Having the Scriptures which clearly show that worship was
according to the commandment of David and the commandment of the Lord,
we here consider a variety of expressions pertaining to this ministry.
The word "worship" means "to honour, revere, adore, pay homage,
render devotion and respect" to someone especially to God. It is used
here in this chapter in its broadest sense to encompass all ministry
unto the Lord. All our service should spring from a true spirit of
worship and praise.
It is worthy to ask ourselves what Jesus meant when He said that
the Father desired us to worship in spirit and in truth. How can we
worship in spirit? How can we worship in truth?
To worship "in spirit" is to allow the Holy Spirit to move upon
the believer's redeemed spirit, causing love, adoration, devotion,
honour and respect to ascend to God. The believer is born again in
his spirit by the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-5). His spirit is to be in
union with the Spirit of God (Romans 8:16; 1 Cor. 6:17). And as the
Holy Spirit moves upon the redeemed spirit, then worship "in spirit"
ascends to God who is Spirit (John 4:20-24).
To worship "in truth" is worship according to the Word of God.
Jesus said, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth"
(John 17:17). The Word of God is the Scripture of truth. God has
laid down in His Word how we are to worship Him. He has shown His
acceptance of a variety of expressions of praise and of worship from
those who truly love Him. To worship "in truth" is to worship
according to the Word of God.
Thus "worship in spirit and in truth" involves the believer
honouring and adoring God by the quickening of the Holy Spirit and
according to the Word of the Lord. The Spirit and the Word are both
needed in proper worship. Both must be there. If the Spirit is not
there, then worship is dead, lifeless. It is according to the letter
which killeth. All becomes empty form. If the Word is not there,
then the worship can become mere sentimentalism, emotionalism and can
lead to fanaticism. There is need of the Spirit and the Word in true
Biblical worship. There is nothing wrong with form or order.
Expressions of Worship
Following are a number of expressions of worship associated with
the order of the Tabernacle of David, as well as in the history of
Israel over the years. It should be recognized that each of these can
become mechanical, lifeless forms unless the life of the Spirit is
maintained by the congregation.
1. Ministry of the Singers and Singing
(1 Chron. 15:16-27; 25:1-7).
David appointed certain Levites to be singers in the Tabernacle
of David. The ministry of the singers in the song of the Lord was
very prominent here. No singers ever sang in the Tabernacle of
Moses.
2. Ministry of the Musicians with Instruments
(1 Chron. 23:5; 25:1-7).
King David also ordained musicians with a variety of
instruments to play and sing before the Lord in His Tabernacle.
3. Ministry of the Levites before the Ark
(1 Chron. 16:4, 6, 37).
The Levites were appointed to minister before the Ark of the
Covenant continually, day by day as every man's work required.
This was indeed in great contrast to the order of the Tabernacle
of Moses. Only the High Priest on the great Day of Atonement ever
dared to enter into the Holiest of All and stand before the Ark of
God. Thus these Levites had access "within the veil", so to speak
(Hebrews 6:19-20; 9:7-9; 10:20-21).
4. Ministry of Recording
(1 Chron. 16:4; 28:12, 19).
King David set Levites in his Tabernacle to "record." The word
"record" means to "Set it down so that it can be remembered." It
involved the ministry of the scribe. Many of the Psalms,
especially those which concern Zion, must have been given by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit in connection with the Tabernacle
of David. The title of Psalm 80 as well as the whole Psalm is an
example of this. Psalms 90-91 have been attributed to Moses. In
the Tabernacle of David many Levites wrote the Psalms, as well as
King David.
5. Ministry of Thanking the Lord
(1 Chron. 16:4,8,41).
David appointed the Levites to thank the Lord also. Many of
the Psalms exhort God's people to thank the Lord for His mercy.
Giving thanks is an expression of gratefulness and appreciation to
the giver of all things. Unthankfulness is a sign of the Last
Days. Those who were set in the Tabernacle of David were to give
thanks continually for all things (Psalms 116:17; 2 Chron. 29:30-
31; 1 Thess. 5:18).
6. Ministry of Praise
(1 Chron. 16:4,36).
Part of the order in David's Tabernacle was to praise the Lord
for His goodness and mercy. There were always Levites in their
respective courses praising the Lord. One just needs to check the
concordance and count the numerous references to "praise" to
realize the importance of this unto the Lord.
It is Scriptual to "say" praise (Is. 12:1,4; Jer. 33:10-12).
It is Scriptual to "sing" praise also (Psalms 47:6-7; 98:1-6;
100:2). The Psalms especially exhort the people of the Lord to
"sing praise". There are over 70 references in the 150 Psalms to
"sing praise". There was no singing of praise in the Tabernacle
of Moses. All was silent order. But in the Tabernacle of David
there was a continual sound of praise.
7. Ministry of Psalms
(1 Chron. 16:9; Psalms 98:6).
On the day of the dedication, David delivered a Psalm to the
singers and musicians. The Tabernacle of David was characterized
by the writing and singing of Psalms.
8. Ministry of Rejoicing and Joy
(1 Chron. 16:10,16,25-31).
Joy and rejoicing characterized the order of the Tabernacle of
David also. The Canaanite religions, as well as most religions
outside of Christianity had no real joy. Even the Tabernacle of
Moses was characterized by great solemnity; not the joy of David's
Tabernacle. Numerous Scriptures exhort the believer to rejoice in
the Lord (Philippians 3:3; 4:4).
9. Ministry of Clapping of Hands
(Psalms 47:1; 98:8; Is. 55:12).
One of the Psalms for the sons of Korah exhorts the people to
clap hands. One of the most natural of all human responses to joy
and appreciation is the clapping of the hands. From the baby in
the cradle, to the youth, to the adult, clapping of hands is an
expression of happiness, thanks, appreciation, and joy. How much
more shall God's people clap un[ the Lord as they did in Bible
times?
10. Ministry of Shouting
(1 Chron. 15:28; Psalms 47:1,5; Is. 12:6).
When the Ark of God was taken into David's Tabernacle, there
was much shouting unto the Lord. A number of Scriptures speak of
shouting in Israel's history. When Israel shouted on the 7th day
on the march around Jericho, God caused the walls to fall down
flat (Joshua 6:5). There are times when a shout is just an empty
noise (1 Sam. 4:5-9), but when God is in it and it is an act of
worship unto the Lord, then God works with the shout of His
people. The Lord Jesus will return for His people at the second
coming with a shout (1 Thess. 4:16).
11. Ministry of Dancing
(1 Chron. 15:29; 2 Sam. 6:14; Psalms 149:3; 150:4).
There was the expression of dancing before the Lord at the
dedication of the Tabernacle of David. The dancing of Israel was
to be in joy, praise and as a part of worship unto the Lord. It
was particularly associated with festival occasions. Miriam and
the women with her danced at the deliverance from Egypt after the
crossing of the Red Sea (Ex. 15:20).
12. Ministry of Lifting up of Hands
(Psalms 134; 141:2).
The Levites in their courses in Zion also lifted up their hands
as an act of worship to the Lord in David's Tabernacle. Lifting
hands in Scripture has several suggested meanings. It is an act
of surrender, of a person taking a vow before the Lord, of prayer
and worship. It is part of Old and New Testament worship (Gen.
14:22; Lev. 9:22; Luke 24:50; 1 Tim. 2:8). The Psalmist says,
"Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the
lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalms 141:2).
Only Aaron would lift up hands in blessing in the Tabernacle of
Moses.
13. Ministry of Worship
(1 Chron. 16:29; Psalms 29:1-2; 95:6).
Although the word "worship" is being used in this chapter in
its broadest sense, in its strictest sense the word means "to bow
down, to stoop very low, to prostrate oneself."
The levites in David's Tabernacle were not only to sing,
praise, play instruments, clap hands, lift hands to the Lord,
they were to worship. There was a bowing before the Lord, a
prostration of themselves in deep adoration and devotion. This
aspect of worship is the highest expression before God of all
expressions of worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:20-24; Rev.
5). All believers should experience times of deep prostration of
the spirit before God in the Holiest of All in this aspect of
worship (Rev. 11:1-2; Matt. 28:9,17). At Mt. Sinai the people
worshipped afar off (Ex. 24:1-2). In the Tabernacle of David
worship was near to God. Much nearer is it in New Testament times
through the blood of Jesus.
14. Ministry of Seeking the Lord
(1 Chron. 16:10-11; 2 Chron. 7:14).
David exhorted the Levites to seek the face of the Lord in His
Tabernacle. This is also part of worship; seeking God's face with
out whole heart. Only those who seek Him with their whole being
will find Him. We are to rejoice as we seek Him (Psalms 27:8;
63:1-2; 70:4).
15. Ministry of Spiritual Sacrifices
(Psalms 27:6; 1 Peter 2:3-5; Heb. 13:15,16).
David's Tabernacle was a place where spiritual sacrifices were
offered to the Lord by priests and Levites. Animal sacrifices were
offered at the dedicatory service but only spiritual sacrifices
were offered after that day in the Tabernacle of David. This was
in great contrast to the continual animal sacrifices in the
Tabernacle of Moses.
The sacrifices of joy (Psalms 27:6).
The sacrifices of thanksgiving (Psalms 116:17; Lev.7:12; Jon.2:9).
The sacrifices of praise (Jer. 17:26; 33:11, with Heb. 13:15).
These are "spiritual sacrifices" offered up by the royal
priesthood in the spiritual house, the Church. No more animal
sacrifices are needed since the once-for-all sacrifice of the body
and blood of Jesus. The New Testament believer, as a ministering
priest unto the Lord, offers his body (Rom.12:1-2), his praise
(Heb. 13:15) and his substance (Heb. 13:16) as spiritual
sacrifices to God through Christ.
16. Ministry of Saying "Amen"
(1 Chron. 16:36).
In Hebrew the word "Amen" means "Sure". It is translated
"Amen, so be it, truth." It involves faithfulness and truth. In
Greek the same word means "Firm, trustworthy" (so be it) and is
translated "Amen, verily." The saying of "Amen" from the heart is
an expression of support, approval of faith, of certainity that
the thing spoken is true, and it shall come to pass.
It is worthy to note that Israel only responded with "Amen" to
the curses of the Lord in Deuteronomy 27:15-26 and Numbers 5:22.
In the New Testament of David it was the "Amen" of blessing. This
is an Old Testament and New Testament expression of worship also
(Neh. 5:13; 8:6; Psalms 89:52; 106:48; 1 Cor. 14:16; Eph. 3:21;
Rev. 7:12).
The following diagram and its respective columns bring into
sharper focus the contrast between the Tabernacle of Moses and the
Tabernacle of David and the expressions of worship briefly considered
in this study. The distinction in worship between the two Tabernacles
is clear. The student should read the Scriptures in the right hand
column and notice how the New Testament confirms the Old Testament
order of worship as in David's Tabernacle.
END of STUDY NINE
