1 Chronicles 16:39

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Zadok {H6659} the priest {H3548}, and his brethren {H251} the priests {H3548}, before {H6440} the tabernacle {H4908} of the LORD {H3068} in the high place {H1116} that was at Gibeon {H1391},

Complete Jewish Bible

He left Tzadok the cohen with his kinsmen before the tabernacle of ADONAI at the high place in Giv'on

Berean Standard Bible

And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:39 provides a crucial detail regarding the complex worship arrangements during King David's reign, highlighting the continued, essential service of Zadok and his fellow priests at the ancient Mosaic Tabernacle located at the high place in Gibeon. This verse clarifies that while the Ark of the Covenant had been brought to Jerusalem, the sacrificial system and its associated priestly duties remained active at a distinct, legitimate worship center, underscoring a transitional period in Israelite cultic practice before the unified worship under Solomon's Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears within a chapter primarily dedicated to the triumphant bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem by King David, its placement in a tent he prepared for it, and the subsequent psalm of thanksgiving and praise (as detailed in [the earlier verses of 1 Chronicles 16](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David brings the Ark to Jerusalem")). While the main narrative focuses on the Ark's new home in Jerusalem, verse 39 serves as an important parenthetical note, providing a necessary clarification about the ongoing, yet separate, location of the Tabernacle and its associated sacrificial rituals. It reveals that David's centralization of the Ark did not immediately consolidate all aspects of Israelite worship, setting the stage for the eventual unification under Solomon's Temple, where both the Ark and the Tabernacle's elements would be brought together (as described in [1 Kings 8:4](/1_kings/8-4 "1 Kings 8:4 - The Tabernacle brought to Solomon's Temple")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the Davidic era, the nation of Israel was transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a unified monarchy. The Tabernacle, constructed by Moses in the wilderness, had served as the central dwelling place of God and the locus of the sacrificial system for centuries. Its presence at Gibeon, a significant "high place," was legitimate for Israelite worship, as evidenced by Solomon's later grand sacrifices there ([1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon")). The separation of the Ark (representing God's presence and covenant) from the Tabernacle (the site of atonement and ritual worship) created a unique, temporary dual center of worship. This arrangement reflected the practicalities of a kingdom in formation and David's immediate priority of establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual capital, even if the full integration of worship elements had to await a later time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **continuity of the Mosaic Law and sacrificial system**, emphasizing that even with the Ark in Jerusalem, the prescribed rituals for atonement and communion with God continued faithfully at Gibeon. Secondly, it underscores the **transitional nature of Israelite worship** during David's reign, showcasing God's people adapting their practices in a period of change while maintaining core adherence to divine commands. This foreshadows the eventual, unified worship center in Jerusalem. Thirdly, the mention of Zadok and his brethren points to the **divine order and oversight** of worship, even in imperfect circumstances, affirming the importance of structured worship and faithful priestly leadership. The chronicler emphasizes the meticulous adherence to God's commands, whether concerning the Ark's proper handling (as seen in [1 Chronicles 15](/1_chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - David brings the Ark to Jerusalem")) or the ongoing sacrificial duties.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zadok (Hebrew, _Tsâdôwq'_):** Derived from a root meaning "just" or "righteous," Zadok was a prominent priest, a descendant of Eleazar (Aaron's son). He served alongside Abiathar during David's reign and would eventually become the sole High Priest under Solomon, establishing the Zadokite line of priests, which held significant influence throughout the First Temple period. His mention here emphasizes the legitimate and divinely appointed nature of the priestly service at Gibeon.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkân'_):** This term refers to a "residence" or "dwelling place," specifically the portable sanctuary constructed according to God's precise instructions given to Moses ([Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). It was the physical representation of God's presence among His people and the designated site for the sacrificial system, where atonement and communion with God were facilitated. Its continued presence at Gibeon signifies the ongoing validity and necessity of the Mosaic cultic system.
* **High place (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** From a root meaning "to be high," this word denotes "an elevation" or "height." While often carrying negative connotations in the Old Testament, referring to illicit pagan altars or unauthorized Israelite worship sites, in this specific context, "the high place that was at Gibeon" refers to a legitimate and significant Israelite worship center. Its sanctity is confirmed by the presence of the Tabernacle itself and by Solomon's later, divinely sanctioned sacrifices there ([2 Chronicles 1:3](/2_chronicles/1-3 "2 Chronicles 1:3 - Tabernacle at Gibeon")). It was a recognized cultic site that predated the Temple.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests":** This phrase highlights the official and collective nature of the ongoing priestly service. Zadok, a key figure in David's administration and a faithful priest, is specifically named, underscoring his prominence and the legitimacy of the priestly lineage performing these duties. "His brethren the priests" refers to the broader Levitical priesthood, collectively responsible for the meticulous execution of the sacrificial and ritual laws.
* **"before the tabernacle of the LORD":** This clause specifies the precise location of their service. It is not before the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, but rather before the ancient, Mosaic Tabernacle. This distinction is crucial, indicating that the full system of daily sacrifices, offerings, and other rituals prescribed by the Law of Moses continued to be performed at the Tabernacle, separate from the Ark's new location.
* **"in the high place that [was] at Gibeon":** This pinpoints the exact geographical location of the Tabernacle during David's reign. Gibeon was a significant city in Benjamin, and its "high place" served as a legitimate, recognized center for Israelite worship, particularly for the performance of the sacrificial cult, until the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. This detail clarifies the dual centers of worship that characterized this transitional period.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler's presentation in 1 Chronicles 16:39 employs **Juxtaposition** and **Historical Detail**. There is an implicit **juxtaposition** between the triumphant narrative of the Ark's arrival in Jerusalem in the preceding verses and the quiet, continuous service at Gibeon. This highlights the complex, dual nature of Israelite worship during David's reign, where the Ark (symbolizing God's presence) was in Jerusalem, while the Tabernacle (the locus of the sacrificial system) remained elsewhere. The verse functions as a crucial **historical detail**, providing an important clarification that prevents misinterpretation of the worship arrangements. Without it, a reader might assume all worship was immediately centralized in Jerusalem. This precise detail underscores the Chronicler's meticulousness in presenting a comprehensive account of Israel's spiritual history, emphasizing the continuity of the divinely ordained cult even amidst evolving circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:39 offers profound theological insights into God's faithfulness and the nature of worship. It reveals that even in transitional periods, God maintains His covenant with His people, and His commands for worship remain valid and are upheld by faithful servants. The continued operation of the Tabernacle at Gibeon, distinct from the Ark's location, demonstrates God's gracious accommodation to the practicalities of His people's journey while ensuring the essential sacrificial system for atonement and communion remained active. This period highlights the importance of obedience to divine patterns, even when circumstances are less than ideal, and foreshadows the eventual centralization of worship in the Temple, a step towards the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [1 Chronicles 16:1](/1_chronicles/16-1 "1 Chronicles 16:1 - David brings the Ark to Jerusalem")
* [1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon's great sacrifice at Gibeon")
* [2 Chronicles 1:3](/2_chronicles/1-3 "2 Chronicles 1:3 - The Tabernacle at Gibeon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that faithfulness to God and diligent service are paramount, even when circumstances are in flux or not perfectly aligned with an ideal. Zadok and his brethren continued their vital, painstaking work of intercession and sacrifice at Gibeon, ensuring that the covenant relationship between God and Israel was maintained through the prescribed means. For believers today, this highlights the importance of consistent spiritual disciplines and devoted service, regardless of our physical location or the evolving forms of our "worship spaces." God's presence and our commitment to Him are more crucial than the perfection of our external arrangements. It encourages us to find ways to be faithful in our current contexts, knowing that God works through and honors our obedience, even in transitional phases of life or ministry. It also underscores the gradual unfolding of God's redemptive plan, moving from the Tabernacle to the Temple, and ultimately to a worship that transcends physical location.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we maintain faithfulness to God's core commands and principles when our circumstances or "worship spaces" are in transition?**
* **What does it mean to prioritize God's presence and our commitment to Him over the "perfect setup" or ideal physical location for worship?**
* **In what ways might we be called to serve God diligently in a "Gibeon" – a place that is legitimate but perhaps not the central focus – while others serve in a "Jerusalem"?**
* **How does the historical progression from Tabernacle to Temple, and ultimately to worship in spirit and truth, inform our understanding of God's ongoing work in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Tabernacle at Gibeon and not with the Ark in Jerusalem?**

Answer: During King David's reign, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, was brought to Jerusalem and housed in a tent David prepared for it (see [1 Chronicles 16:1](/1_chronicles/16-1 "1 Chronicles 16:1 - Ark brought to Jerusalem")). However, the Mosaic Tabernacle, which contained the altar for burnt offerings and other sacrificial implements, remained at the "high place" in Gibeon. This created a temporary, dual center of worship. The Ark was in the new political and spiritual capital, Jerusalem, while the full sacrificial system, requiring the Tabernacle, continued at Gibeon. This arrangement persisted until Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, at which point the Tabernacle's elements were integrated into the new, unified worship structure (see [1 Kings 8:4](/1_kings/8-4 "1 Kings 8:4 - The Tabernacle brought to Solomon's Temple")).

**Was Gibeon a legitimate place of worship, given that "high places" often had negative connotations?**

Answer: Yes, in this specific context, Gibeon was a legitimate and recognized Israelite worship site. While the term "high place" (Hebrew: _bamah_) often refers to illicit pagan altars or unauthorized Israelite worship sites condemned in later biblical texts, Gibeon was an exception. The presence of the divinely ordained Tabernacle of the Lord at Gibeon sanctified it as a proper place for worship and sacrifice during this period. This legitimacy is further confirmed by the fact that King Solomon himself offered a thousand burnt offerings there and received his vision from God, a pivotal moment in his reign (see [1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon") and [2 Chronicles 1:3](/2_chronicles/1-3 "2 Chronicles 1:3 - The Tabernacle at Gibeon")). It served as the primary center for the sacrificial cult until the Temple's completion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The transitional worship arrangements described in 1 Chronicles 16:39, with the Ark in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle at Gibeon, beautifully foreshadow the ultimate unity and fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant system, with its separate components for God's presence (Ark) and atonement (Tabernacle sacrifices), pointed forward to the one who would perfectly embody both. Jesus is the ultimate Ark, for He is "God with us," the very presence of God incarnate, dwelling among humanity (see [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us")). He is also the ultimate and final Sacrifice, fulfilling all the purposes of the Tabernacle's rituals. Through His once-for-all offering on the cross, He made perfect atonement for sin, rendering the animal sacrifices obsolete (see [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus declared that true worship would no longer be confined to a physical location, whether Jerusalem or Gibeon, but would be "in spirit and truth" (see [John 4:21-24](/john/4-21 "John 4:21-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He Himself is the new Temple, the place where God dwells and where humanity meets God (see [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus speaks of His body as the temple")). Thus, the temporary, dual centers of worship under David find their glorious and eternal unification in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's presence, provides perfect atonement, and enables worship that transcends all earthly boundaries.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

1 Chronicles 15:11

And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

2 Chronicles 1:3

So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that [was] at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

2 Chronicles 1:4

But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to [the place which] David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 12:28

And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.

2 Chronicles 1:13

¶ Then Solomon came [from his journey] to the high place that [was] at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:29

For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, [were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon.