1 Chronicles 16:11

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:11

1. The Text

1 Chronicles 16:11 (King James Version):
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”

This short verse sits within a larger liturgical moment in Israel’s history. David has brought the ark of God into Jerusalem, established regular worship, and appointed Levites to minister before the ark. The chapter contains a psalm of thanksgiving (verses 8 to 36), which parallels Psalm 105 and reflects David’s desire to centre the nation’s life on the worship of the living God.

2. Literary and Historical Context

2.1 The Setting of 1 Chronicles 16[i]

The chapter describes a turning point in Israel’s worship. The ark, the symbol of God’s covenant presence, is placed in a tent in Jerusalem. David blesses the people, offers sacrifices, and appoints musicians and priests to lead ongoing worship.

Key verses include:

1 Chronicles 16:1 (KJV):
“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 16:4 (KJV):
“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.”

The psalm that follows (verses 8 to 36) is a call to remember God’s works, trust his promises, and worship him with gladness.

2.2 The Immediate Context of Verse 11

Verse 11 sits within a series of imperatives:

1 Chronicles 16:8 to 10 (KJV):
“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”

The flow is clear: thanksgiving, proclamation, praise, remembrance, rejoicing, and then the central command:

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”

This is the heart of worship and the heart of covenant life.

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3. Exegetical Insights

3.1 “Seek the Lord”

The Hebrew verb darash means to inquire of, pursue, or turn to with intention. It is not passive. It is the posture of a people who know they depend on God for everything.

In Christian theology, seeking the Lord is not a work that earns favour. It is the response of a heart awakened by grace. God seeks us first; therefore, we seek him.

3.2 “And his strength”

Israel’s history is a testimony to God’s strength, not their own. The psalm in this chapter recalls God’s covenant with Abraham, his protection of the patriarchs, and his mighty acts.

1 Chronicles 16:12 (KJV):
“Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.”

To seek God’s strength is to acknowledge our weakness. It is to rely on his power to sustain, protect, sanctify, and guide.

3.3 “Seek his face continually”

To seek God’s face is to desire his presence, favour, and fellowship. In the Old Testament, God’s “face” symbolises relational nearness.

The word “continually” removes any sense of occasional or crisis‑driven spirituality. This is a life posture. It anticipates the New Testament call to “pray without ceasing” and to “abide” in Christ.

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4. Theological Themes

4.1 God’s Initiative and Human Response

Christian theology emphasises that God’s grace precedes our seeking. David’s psalm is addressed to a people whom God has already chosen, redeemed, and covenanted with.

We seek because he first sought us.

4.2 Worship as the Centre of Life

The ark’s arrival in Jerusalem symbolises God dwelling among his people. Worship is not an optional activity; it is the organising principle of Israel’s life. Likewise, for Christians, worship is not confined to Sunday gatherings. It is the orientation of the whole person toward God.

4.3 Dependence on God’s Strength

Human strength is insufficient for obedience, holiness, or perseverance. The Christian life is lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in self‑effort.

4.4 Perseverance in Seeking God

The command to seek God “continually” reflects the doctrine of perseverance. Those who truly belong to God will keep seeking him, not perfectly, but persistently, because the Spirit sustains them.

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5. Application to Modern Christian Living

5.1 Cultivating a Life of Seeking God

Seeking God is not a mystical exercise. It is expressed through:

• reading and meditating on Scripture
• prayer that is honest and regular
• gathering with God’s people
• obedience in daily life
• repentance and faith
• remembering God’s works and promises

5.2 Relying on God’s Strength, Not Our Own

Modern life encourages self‑reliance. This verse calls us to a countercultural dependence on God. We seek his strength in:

• temptation
• suffering
• decision‑making
• ministry and service
• relationships
• work and vocation

5.3 Seeking God’s Face in Christ

Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s face. To seek God’s face is to seek Christ, trust him, and rest in his finished work.

5.4 Continual Seeking in a Distracted Age

Our age is filled with noise, urgency, and distraction. Continual seeking requires intentional habits:

• daily rhythms of Scripture and prayer
• weekly worship
• digital boundaries
• Sabbath rest
• cultivating gratitude
• remembering God’s faithfulness

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6. Meditation Guide

6.1 Prepare Your Heart

Sit quietly. Ask God to help you seek him with sincerity.

6.2 Read the Verse Slowly

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”

Let each phrase settle.

6.3 Reflect

• What does it mean for me to seek the Lord today?
• Where am I relying on my own strength instead of his?
• What would it look like to seek his face continually in my current circumstances?

6.4 Pray

• Thank God for seeking you first.
• Ask for a deeper desire for his presence.
• Confess areas of self‑reliance.
• Pray for strength to persevere.

6.5 Act

Choose one concrete step today that expresses your seeking—perhaps a moment of prayer, an act of obedience, or a word of encouragement to someone.

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[i] 1 Chronicles 16

King James Version

16 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.

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.

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.

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 Obededom: 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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;

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;

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.

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