(16) And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. (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. (18) And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. (19) And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to everyone a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed everyone to his house.
It should seem that the Ark of the Lord at this time had no fixed spot for its abode. Moses had, in his days, prepared a tabernacle at Gibeon for it. But so many years had passed since that period, and moreover, the Ark was so long in Kirjath-jearim, that as the Ark itself seems to have been overlooked (except, no doubt, by the faithful few) it is not to be wondered at the place was lost. David therefore pitched upon a spot for it, and no doubt hallowed it; for those burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings, imply as much, as well as thanksgiving. And some have thought that it was at this time David composed that beautiful Psalms 132:1. Though others ascribe it to Solomon, who is said to have written it at the dedication of the Temple, because he closes his prayer on that occasion with some of the words of this Psalm. Compare 2 Chronicles 6:41-42 with Psalms 132:8-10. But this is no certain conclusion. For this might be accounted for by supposing that the son quoted the words of his father. Be this however as it may, the Psalm itself is so precious, and contains in it so much in allusion to the Lord Jesus Christ, which the Ark typified, that I beg to refer the Reader to a diligent review of it upon the present occasion. The feasting with, and the presents David made to the people upon this service, serve to show us what ground there is for holy joy in all our religious ordinances. Paul beautifully observes, upon this subject, the kingdom of God, that is, the kingdom of grace in this life, leading to the kingdom of glory in another, is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17. And Reader! if it was so in the days of David in their holy solemnities and sacrifices, which at the best were but a shadow of good things to come; with what holy joy ought believers in Christ, who is the whole sum and substance of all the offerings under the law, to rejoice before God; and especially, in the celebration of the supper, that glorious soul-reviving, soul-strengthening, soul-comforting feast, which is a feast upon the sacrifice the Son of God once offered, and by which he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14.