1 Chronicles 27

1Ch 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

This verse is a general heading to the list 1Ch_27:2-15. The heading has been taken from some fuller and more elaborate description of David’s army, whereof the writer of Chronicles gives us only an abridgement. Omitting the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the officers (probably “scribes”) who served the king, he contents himself with recording the “chief fathers” or heads of the divisions 1Ch_28:1, and the number of Iraelites in each course.

This enumeration is widely different from the preceding. In that, we have the orders and courses of the priests and the Levites in their ecclesiastical ministrations; in this, we have the account of the order of the civil service, that which related simply to the political state of the king and the kingdom. Twenty-four persons, chosen out of David’s worthies, each of whom had a second, were placed over twenty-four thousand men, who all served a month in turn at a time; and this was the whole of their service during the year, after which they attended to their own affairs. Thus the king had always on foot a regular force of twenty-four thousand, who served without expense to him or the state, and were not oppressed by the service, which took up only a twelfth part of their time, and by this plan he could at any time, when the exigency of the state required it, bring into the field twelve times twenty-four thousand, or two hundred and eighty-eight thousand fighting men, independently of the twelve thousand officers, which made in the whole an effective force of three hundred thousand soldiers; and all these men were prepared, disciplined, and ready at a call, without the smallest expense to the state or the king. These were, properly speaking, the militia of the Israelite kingdom.

Now the children of Israel after their number - Not the whole body of the people, but the militia of the nation; for after the account of the division of the priests and Levites into courses, follows an account of the militia of the nation, being divided also into monthly courses.

the chief fathers - the chief men in the tribes, the princes of them, not the natural fathers of the soldiers in each course

Twelve captains for every month - Here is an account of the standing military force of Israel. A militia formed, it would seem, at the beginning of David’s reign was raised in the following order: Twelve legions, corresponding to the number of tribes, were enlisted in the king’s service. Each legion comprised a body of twenty-four thousand men, whose term of service was a month in rotation, and who were stationed either at Jerusalem or in any other place where they might be required. There was thus always a force sufficient for the ordinary purposes of state, as well as for resisting sudden attacks or popular tumults; and when extraordinary emergencies demanded a larger force, the whole standing army could easily be called to arms, amounting to two hundred eighty-eight thousand, or to three hundred thousand, including the twelve thousand officers that naturally attended on the twelve princes (1Ch_27:16-24). Such a military establishment would be burdensome neither to the country nor to the royal treasury; for attendance on this duty being a mark of honor and distinction, the expense of maintenance would be borne probably by the militiaman himself, or furnished out of the common fund of his tribe. Nor would the brief period of actual service produce any derangement of the usual course of affairs; for, on the expiry of the term, every soldier returned to the pursuits and duties of private life during the other eleven months of the year.

1Ch 27:2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Jashobeam - Jashobeam is mentioned in marginal references as the chief of David’s mighty men. He is called in 1Ch_11:11 “the son of Hachmoni.” We learn from 1Ch_27:3 that he was of the tribe of Judah , being descended from Perez (or Pharez), the son of Judah, from whom David himself sprang. 1Ch_2:3-15.

First course for the first month - Instead of mentioning first, second, third, etc., month, the Targum names them thus: First month, Nisan; second, Aiyar; third, Sivan; fourth, Tammuz; fifth, Ab; sixth, Elul; seventh, Tishri; eighth, Marchesvan; ninth, Cisleu; tenth, Tebeth; eleventh, Shebat; twelfth, Adar. The month Nisan, sometimes called Abib, which was March:

Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel - the first and chief of David's worthies, 1Ch_11:11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had : Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains. He lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were killed by him at one time. Hachmoni was his father, Zabdiel probably one of his ancestors; or there might be different names of the same individual. In the rotation of the military courses, the dignity of precedence, not of authority, was given to the hero.

1Ch 27:3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

1Ch_27:3 further relates of him that he was of the sons (descendants) of Perez, and the head of all the army chiefs in the first month (i.e., in the division for the first month). This man was of the posterity of Perez, or Pharez, a son of Judah, and so had the preference and command of all the captains of the army for that month:

1Ch 27:4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

A chief priest - Rather, “the chief priest” - an expression by which is meant, not the high priest, but probably the high priest’s deputy, who is sometimes called “the second priest” 2Ki_25:18. It was Jehoiada, and not Benaiah, who was a priest.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest - He is distinguished from Benaiah, the Pirathonite, who was over the eleventh month.

1Ch 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

1Ch 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Asahel the brother of Joab – It appears likely that Asahel died before the courses, as here described, could have been instituted. Perhaps the arrangements of David in his later years were based upon institutions belonging to the period of his reign at Hebron . This officer having been slain at the very beginning of David’s reign [2Sa_2:23], his name was probably given to this division in honor of his memory, and his son was invested with the command.

and Zebadiah his son after him - points to his death, as they mention his son as his successor in the command of the fourth division of the army. When Asahel, therefore, is called commander of the fourth division of the host, it is done to honor him.

1Ch 27:8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Shamhuth - Shamhuth is called in 1Ch_11:27 Shammoth, and in 2Sa_23:25 Shamma. He was born in Harod; here he is called the Jizrahite 1Ch_27:13, of the family of Zerah the son of Judah (1Ch_2:4, 1Ch_2:6).

1Ch 27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Maharai belonged also to the family of Zerah; see 1Ch_27:11, 1Ch_27:8.

1Ch 27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

Over the tribes of Israel - Gad and Asher are omitted from this list of the tribes. Similarly, Dan and Zebulon are omitted from the genealogical survey of the tribes 1 Chr. 4–8. We can only suppose that the lists, as they came down to the writer of Chronicles, were incomplete. The “rulers” or “princes” of the tribes appear to have been the oldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.

Over the tribes of Israel - In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Asher and Gad. Probably the account of these has been lost from this register. These rulers appear to have been all honorary men, without pay, like the lords lieutenants of our counties.

Over the tribes of Israel - These persons appear to have been civil rulers over their several tribes, and honorary men. The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counselors.

1Ch 27:17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

1Ch 27:18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

Elihu - of the brethren of David, is only another form of the name Eliab, 1Ch_2:13, David's eldest brother, who, as Jesse's first-born, had become tribal prince of Judah.

1Ch 27:19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

1Ch 27:20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

Of Manasseh two tribal princes are named, because the one half of this tribe had received its inheritance on this side Jordan, the other beyond Jordan.

1Ch 27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

1Ch 27:22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel .

Tribes of Israel - Of the most of the tribes, not of all: for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince.

1Ch 27:23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under - David’s numbering of the people was therefore a military arrangement in order to fix the amount of his standing army. There was a feeling that it would be irreverent to attempt to count what God had promised should be countless.

David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under - Only those that were twenty years and upwards; but, according tone scholar, he numbered them that were under twenty, though but sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of age, provided they were of robust bodies, and of a tall stature, and able to bear arms; which he takes to be the sin of David, in numbering the people, being contrary to the law of God; yet though he had ordered them to be numbered, and they were, yet he would not take them and put them into the account of his chronicles, as in the next verse, that his sin might not be known, see 2Sa_24:9.

because the Lord had said, he would increase Israel like to the stars in the heavens - which are not to be numbered, and therefore David sinned in attempting to number the people.

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under — The census which David ordered did not extend to all the Israelites; for to contemplate such an enumeration would have been to attempt an impossibility (Gen_28:14), and besides would have been a daring offense to God. The limitation to a certain age was what had probably quieted David’s conscience as to the lawfulness of the measure, while its expediency was strongly pressed upon his mind by the army arrangements he had in view.

1Ch 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

Because there fell wrath - literally, “And there fell wrath.” The falling of God’s wrath was not the cause of Joab’s ceasing. His motive is clearly stated in 1Ch_21:6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not count among them; for the king's word was evil to Joab.

Neither was the number put in - The meaning is, that in the portion of the chronicles of King David which treated of numbers - the number of the standing army, of the Levitical and priestly courses, the singers, etc. - the return of the number of the people made by Joab was not entered. The disastrous circumstances which followed on the taking of the census perhaps produced a feeling that God might he further provoked by its being put on record in the state archives.

Neither was the number put in the account - Joab did not return the whole number; probably the plague began before he had finished: or, he did not choose to give it in, as he had entered on this work with extreme reluctance; and he did not choose to tell the king how numerous they were. The two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him

1Ch 27:25 And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

This section is important as showing that David, the younger son of a not very opulent family 1Sa_16:11, 1Sa_16:20, had now become a large landed proprietor, as well as a capitalist, possessed of much moveable wealth. We may perhaps see the sources of both these kinds of property, in the successful wars which he had waged 1Sa_27:8-9; 1Sa_30:20; 2Sa_8:4, 2Sa_8:7-8, 2Sa_8:12; in the revenue derived from subject kings 1Sa_8:2, 1Sa_8:14; 1Sa_10:19; and in the purchase and occupation of lands in different places. Further, he enjoyed, of course, the usual rights of a Jewish king over the landed property of his subjects, and was thus entitled to receive a tithe of the produce in tithes (1Sa_8:15, 1Sa_8:17) and in “benevolences.”

Azmaveth the son of Adiel - The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others.

Jehonathan the son of Uzziah – he had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected:

over the king’s treasures — Those treasures consisted of gold, silver, precious stones, cedar-wood, etc.; those which he had in Jerusalem as distinguished from others without the city.

1Ch 27:26 And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:

Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground:

1Ch 27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

the vineyards — These seem to have been in the vine growing districts of Judah , and were committed to two men of that quarter. Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Over the workmen and laborers in the vineyards; as the next officer is over the fruit of the vineyards. In like manner, one man was over the laborers in the fields, 1Ch_27:26, and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores.

wine-cellars — The wine is deposited in jars sunk in the court of the house. Zabdi of Shepham, Num_34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars:

1Ch 27:28 And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of:

Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited:

in the low plains — that is, the Shephela, the rich, low-lying ground between the Mediterranean and the mountains of Judah.

The sycamore - It has them on the trunk itself, which shoots out little sprigs, in form of grape stalks, at the end of which grow the fruit close to one another, almost like a cluster of grapes. The tree is always green, and bears fruit several times in the year, without observing any certain seasons; for I have seen some sycamores that have given fruit two months after others. The fruit has the figure and smell of real figs, but is inferior to them in the taste, having a disgusting sweetness. Its color is a yellow, inclining to an ochre, shadowed by a flesh color. In the inside it resembles the common figs, excepting that it has a blackish colouring with yellow spots.

1Ch 27:29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:

1Ch 27:30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

1Ch 27:31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

rulers of the substance that was king David’s — How and when the king acquired these demesnes and this variety of property - whether it was partly by conquests, or partly by confiscation, or by his own active cultivation of lands - is not said. It was probably in all these ways. The management of the king’s private possessions was divided into twelve parts, like his public affairs and the revenue derived from all these sources mentioned must have been very large.

1Ch 27:32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:

A list - supplemental in character - of some chief officers of David, not mentioned before. This catalogue of the king's officials forms a supplementary companion piece to the catalogues of the public officials, 1Ch_18:15-17, and 2Sa_8:15-18 and 2Sa_20:25-26. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David’s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who killed himself during Absalom’s rebellion 2Sa_17:23.

1Ch 27:33 And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

Counsellor - The person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed. Ahithophel was also, according to 2Sa_15:31; 2Sa_16:23, David's confidential adviser, and took his own life when Absalom, in his conspiracy against David, did not regard his counsel (2 Sam 17).

Companion - Or his friend, 2Sa_15:37, the person whom he trusted with his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him. Observe, A cunning man was his counsellor: but an honest man was his friend. Hushai the Archite was also a friend and adviser of David (2Sa_15:37 and 2Sa_16:16), who caused Absalom to reject Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 17).

1Ch 27:34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

1 Chronicles 26

1Ch 26:1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

The divisions of the porters - There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to one of the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern, to Zechariah, 1Ch_26:14; the southern, to Obed-edom, 1Ch_26:15; the western, to Shuppim and Hosah, These several persons were captains of these porter-bands or door-keepers at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from 1Ch_23:5, that there were four thousand in all.

Concerning the divisions of the porters - Or doorkeepers, whose business it was to open and shut the doors of the temple, to keep all impure and improper persons from entering into it, or any of the vessels being carried out of it, and to prevent tumults and riots about it; these, as it seems, David divided into a like number of classes, as the singers, to take their turns in waiting:

Concerning the divisions of the porters — There were four thousand (1Ch_23:6), all taken from the families of the Kohathites and Merarites (1Ch_26:14), divided into twenty-four courses - as the priests and musicians.

the sons of Asaph - not Asaph the singer, who was a Gershonite, but the same with Eliasaph, 1Ch_6:23 a Korhite.

the divisions - There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven.

1Ch 26:2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

1Ch 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

1Ch 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

Moreover, the sons of Obededom - Obededom and Hosah 1Ch_26:10 had been “porters,” or door - keepers, from the time of the bringing up of the ark into Jerusalem 1Ch_15:24; 1Ch_16:38.

Moreover, the sons of Obededom - The same at whose house the ark was, before it was brought by David to Zion; his sons were porters also, as himself, 1Ch_15:24, mention is made of eight sons of his, according to their birth: From this passage we learn that Obededom belonged to the Kohathite family of the Korahites.

1Ch 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

For God blessed him - That is, Obededom; The occasion of the blessing was his faithful custody of the ark (2Sa_6:11, 2Sa_6:12). The nature of the blessing (Psa_127:5) consisted in the great increase of progeny by which his house was distinguished.

1Ch 26:6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.

for they were mighty men of valour - which their office sometimes required them to be, to guard the temple at night as well as day from thieves and robbers, and to hinder resolute men entering in, unfit for it, and seize on rioters, and quell tumults raised. They were not only porters, or door keepers, in the ordinary sense of the word, but they were a military guard to the gate.

mighty men of valour — The circumstance of physical strength is prominently noticed in this chapter, as the office of the porters required them not only to act as sentinels of the sacred edifice and its precious furniture against attacks of plunderers or popular insurrection - to be, in fact, a military guard - but, after the temple was built, to open and shut the gates, which were extraordinarily large and ponderous.

1Ch 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.

1Ch 26:8 All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.

All these of the sons of Obededom - And grandsons: The whole number of doorkeepers of Obed-edom's family, his sons and brethren, was sixty-two; able men with strength for the service.

1Ch 26:9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

1Ch 26:10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)

though he was not the firstborn - the firstborn being unfit for service, either through want of an intellectual capacity, or of strength of body, or through some defect or another, or perhaps he was dead without leaving any descendant.

1Ch 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

1Ch 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

Among these were the divisions of the porters - These before named were the principal men of the porters, among which was a division or distribution of them into classes or courses, in which they served weekly in turn:

having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the Lord - meaning either to watch in, as on the north against the south, and the east against the west, and "vice versa". They had wards or courses answerable to those of the priests, and the other Levites, the singers, and were distributed into twenty four classes or courses as they, which are thus reckoned at the east six, at the north four, at the south four, at Asuppim two and two, which were four, at the west four, and at Parbar two; lo, twenty four; according to 1Ch_26:17.

Wards - That is, classes against each other. Ward formerly signified a class or division. We still apply the term to the different apartments in hospitals.

1Ch 26:13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

They cast lots for every gate - None of these captains or their companies were permitted to choose which gate they would guard, but each took his appointment by lot.

as well the small as the great - meaning, not little ones and grown persons in a family, but the smaller and poorer families, and the larger and richer ones, had their places assigned them at the several gates, as the lot directed; they did not go according to the dignity and precedence of their families, but according to lot.

1Ch 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

then for Zechariah his son (a wise counsellor) - and who was his firstborn, 1Ch_26:2 a man of great parts and learning

his lot came out northward - where was a gate in later times, called Teri or Tedi, which differed from other gates in this, that it had no threshold, only one stone was laid upon another, and was not commonly used.

1Ch 26:15 To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.

To Obededom southward - Where were two gates in later times, called the gates of Huldah

The house of Asuppim – Opinions on what this was varies. Several suggestions are listed in this study. The house of the collections; the place where either the supplies of the porters, or the offerings made for the use of the priests and Levites, were laid up.

The house of Asuppim - the word has the signification of gathering, hence some take it to be a council house, where the sanhedrin or elders gathered together, and sat; and others, rather a treasure house, where things of value were collected and laid up, since Obededom had the charge of gold and silver, and the vessels of the house, 2Ch_25:24.

the house of Asuppim — probably a storehouse, where were kept the grain, wine, and other offerings for the sustenance of the priests.

1Ch 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

The gate Shallecheth - literally, The gate of the projections: the gate through which were thrown out the sweepings of the temple, the ashes, the offal of the victims, and the like.

Ward against ward - Or, “watch opposite to watch.” Hosah had in charge both the western gate of the temple, and also the gate Shallecheth, which was in the outer wall, opposite. Hence, he had to keep two watches, one over against the other.

To Shuppim and Hosah - Of Shuppim no mention is before made;

by the causeway of the going up — probably the ascending road which was cast up or raised from the deep valley between Mount Zion and Moriah, for the royal egress to the place of worship (2Ch_9:4).

1Ch 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.

Toward Asuppim two and two - It is conjectured that the storehouse in question had two doors, to each of which two porters were appointed.

Eastward were six Levites - It is supposed that there were more guards set at this eastern gate, because it was more frequented than the others. The eastern gate, being the way of entrance into the temple, required more porters: At each of the other gates were only four; at this, six.

1Ch 26:18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

At Parbar westward - A gate at the western wall; the Jewish writers generally interpret it an outward place.

At Parbar westward - Parbar must designate here the space between the western wall of the temple building and the wall of the court, which would be a sort of “precinct” or “colonnade” of the temple. Here were two gates, at one of which two guards were stationed; while at the Shallecheth, which gave upon the causeway, there were four. In this whole account, the temple is spoken of as if it were existing, when it was not as yet built.

1Ch 26:19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

1Ch 26:20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

The treasures of the house of God - Where the money was kept, which was to be expended in oblations for the temple.

The treasures of the house of God - as the tithes, vessels, vestments, wine, and oil, and other things; such an one was Phinehas at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian, who being taken, showed and delivered the priests' garments, and many other precious things and sacred ornaments under his care: and over the treasures of the dedicated things; voluntarily devoted for sacrifices and repairs of the temple; and this Ahijah had the care of each of those at first, which afterwards were divided, and put under the care of different persons.

Ahijah —Ahijah, whose name occurs after the Levites, is not mentioned in the previous lists. It is totally unknown and is introduced abruptly without further information. 1 Chronicles 26:20 And the Levites their brethren [were] over the treasures of the house of the Lord, and over the treasures of the hallowed things. (Septuagint) The Masoretic (KJV) reading differs from the Septuagint.

1Ch 26:21 As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.

1Ch 26:22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.

1Ch 26:23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

Of the Amramites and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites - Who sprang from the four sons of Kohath, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, Exo_6:18 The persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the scripture, but only in this place, and Num_3:27, or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

1Ch 26:24 And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.

Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures -This is the first time that any of the posterity of Moses are taken notice of, as being in any office of honor, authority, and trust.

Ruler - The chief over all the treasures.

1Ch 26:25 And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

And his brethren by Eliezer - His kinsmen that descended from Eliezer, the brother of Gershom, the ancestor of Shebuel. These descendants of Eliezer were called brethren of Shebuel, because they were descended through Eliezer from Moses, as Shebuel was through his father Gershon.

1Ch 26:26 Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

the treasures of the dedicated things - which had been devoted for the service of God, and of the temple particularly:

which David the king had dedicated - out of the spoils he took in war, 2Sa_8:11 King David also dedicated them to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all nations which he subdued:

the chief fathers - princes of tribes, and heads of families:

1Ch 26:27 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.

The spoils won in battles did they dedicate - It seems these were intended for its repairs.

1Ch 26:28 And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

And all that Samuel the seer and Saul - The foundations of a sacred treasury had therefore been laid as far back as the time of Samuel, when the Israelites began to recover from their last servitude. Such a treasury had been once before established, namely, under Joshua Jos_6:24; but it appears to have been soon exhausted, and we hear nothing of it under any of the later judges until Samuel.

1Ch 26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.

Outward business over Israel - Which was done out of the temple, and out of Jerusalem, in the several parts of the country:

for officers and judges - to administer justice and judgment, and to take care that the laws of God were observed, both with respect to things civil and religious, and delinquents punished.

officers and judges — The word rendered “officers” is the term which signifies scribes or secretaries, so that the Levitical class here described were magistrates, who, attended by their clerks, exercised judicial functions; there were six thousand of them (1Ch_23:4), who probably acted like their brethren on the principle of rotation, and these were divided into three classes - one (1Ch_26:29) for the outward business over Israel; one (1Ch_26:30), consisting of seventeen hundred, for the west of Jordan “in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the king”; and the third (1Ch_26:31, 1Ch_26:32), consisting of twenty-seven hundred, “rulers for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.”

Judges - Judges over the people, in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper judges of things depending thereon.

1Ch 26:30 And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.

In all the business of the Lord - Every thing that concerned ecclesiastical matters. The “business of the Lord” in the provinces would consist especially in the collection of the tithes, the redemption-money, and the free-will offerings of the people. It may perhaps have included some religious teaching.

In the service of the king - Every thing that concerned civil affairs: In things divine and civil, what appertained to the worship of God, and the support of civil government, and to take care that all the laws were observed, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, and that both the Lord was feared, and the king honored, and both had what was due unto them.

1Ch 26:31 Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

in the fortieth year of the reign of David - which was the last year of his reign, in which year all the above things were done; the distribution of the priests into their classes and courses, and so of the Levites, singers, and porters; as well as the appointment of those several judges and officers employed in divers parts of the land: and particularly in this year those

Hebronites were sought for - and there were found among them mighty men of valor, at Jazer of Gilead; a city on the other side Jordan, which belonged to the tribe of Gad. Jazer was a Levite city in the tribal domain of Gad, assigned, according to Jos_21:39, to the Merarites.

1Ch 26:32 And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

Rulers - This term is somewhat too strong. The same kind of office was assigned to Jerijah and his brethren in the trans-Jordanic region as to Hashabiah and his brethren in western Palestine 1Ch_26:30, namely, a superintendence over religious matters and over the interests of the king.

over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh - all which lay on the other side Jordan; and being so remote from the seat of civil government, and of the worship of God, they were in greater danger of revolting or being under the influence of idolatrous nations, both from their obedience to their king, and duty to their God; land therefore so large a number was appointed over them, to instruct them and keep them in their duty to both.

1 Chronicles 25

1Ch 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

David and the captains of the host - The chiefs of those who formed the several orders: not military captains. Another scholar says this is the leaders of Israel, the princes of Israel.

the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun - the three chiefs of the singers:

who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals - sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God; which contained in them prophecies concerning things to come, particularly relating to the Messiah, of which there are many in the book of Psalms; and to the tunes of these they played on the above instruments of music: The word prophesy, here, seems to mean no more than praising God by singing inspired prophetical hymns.

who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals - To prophesy, in this place, means praising God with great earnestness and devout affections, under the influences of the Holy Spirit.

who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals - Praise God by singing the psalms of David, and other sacred songs made by themselves, who were prophets, or by other prophets or holy men of God.

1Ch 25:2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

Under the hands of Asaph - under the instruction and authority of Asaph - who himself prophesied, or performed the sacred services, under the direction of the king.

Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah - called Jesharelah, 1Ch_25:14, these had the third fourth, fifth, and seventh lots, 1Ch_25:9,

which prophesied according to the order of the king - which Asaph composed psalms under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and was ordered by King David to sing them, and by whose command they were inserted in the book of Psalms, where they now stand with his name to them.

which prophesied —in this connection, played with instruments. This metaphorical application of the term “prophecy” most probably originated in the practice of the prophets, who endeavored to rouse their prophetic spirit by the animating influence of music. It is said that Asaph did this “according to David’s order,” because by royal appointment he officiated in the tabernacle on Zion (1Ch_16:37-41), while other leaders of the sacred music were stationed at Gibeon.

1Ch 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

The sons of Jeduthun six - That is, six with their father, otherwise, there are but five.

The sons of Jeduthun six - whereas five only are mentioned; it may be thought that Shimei, 1Ch_25:17 is the sixth, Shimei is not only mentioned in the parallel passage. It is a tradition of the Jews, that his mother was now with child of him, and it being foreseen by the Holy Spirit that he would be the chief of a course, the number six is given.

1Ch 25:4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:

Heman - Heman is called in 1Ch_25:5 the seer of the king in the words of God, because he, along with his gift of song, was endowed also with the prophetic gift, and as seer made known to the king revelations of God. In 2Ch_35:15 the same thing is predicated also of Jeduthun, and in the same sense the prophet Gad is called in 1Ch_21:9 David's seer.

1Ch 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

To lift up the horn - Some take this literally, and consider that Heman and his sons played on the born in the musical services; but there is no other evidence that the horn was so employed. Perhaps the most probable explanation is that it has been transferred from the next clause, where (as here) it followed the word “God,” with the sense that “God, to exalt Heman’s horn (or, increase his dignity), gave him fourteen sons and three daughters.”

1Ch 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

All these were under the hands of their father - Instructed and directed by him in the performance of the service in the temple:

cymbals, psalteries, and harps - which were the three principal instruments of music used in the temple service:

1Ch 25:7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

With their brethren - with others of the tribe of Levi. Each son of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, was at the head of a band of twelve skilled musicians, consisting partly of his own sons, partly of Levites belonging to other families 1 Chr. 25:9-31. The 24 band-leaders, together with their bands, formed a body of 288 persons (24 x 12 =288) Besides these, we hear of there being above 3,700 singers, who were probably divided, like the trained musicians, into 24 courses, which must have contained about 155 each

even all that were cunning - expert and well skilled in the science of singing:

1Ch 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

as well the small as the great - no regard was had to the age of a person, his being the firstborn or a younger brother, or to his office and station, whether as a teacher or a learner in the science of singing; he was made the head of a course, as the lot came up;

they cast lots, ward against ward — “Ward” is an old English word for “division” or “company.” The lot was cast to determine the precedence of the classes or divisions over which the musical leaders presided; and, in order to secure an impartial arrangement of their order, the master and his assistants, the teacher and his scholars, in each class or company took part in this solemn casting of lots. In the first catalogue given in this chapter the courses are classed according to their employment as musicians. In the second, they are arranged in the order of their service.

1Ch 25:9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

The order of succession was so determined by lot, that the four sons of Asaph (1Ch_25:3) received the first, third, fifth, and seventh places; the six sons of Jeduthun, the second, fourth, eighth, twelfth, and fourteenth; and finally, the four sons of Heman (first mentioned in 1Ch_25:4), the sixth, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth places; while the remaining places, 1Ch_25:15-24, fell to the other sons of Heman. From this we learn that the lots of the sons of the three chief musicians were not placed in separate urns, and one lot drawn from each alternately; but that, on the contrary, all the lots were placed in one urn, and in drawing the lots of Asaph and Jeduthun came out so, that after the fourteenth drawing only sons of Heman remained.

he, his sons, and his brethren were twelve - is to be understood, as it is expressed in all the following verses, otherwise they do not make up that number of two hundred and eighty - eight mentioned 1Ch_25:7.

1Ch 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:11 The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:12 The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:13 The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:14 The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:18 The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

Azareel - Probably this person was called by both names; this and Uzziel. In the Syriac and Arabic manuscripts, the name is nearly the same in both places.

1Ch 25:19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:23 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:28 The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:30 The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

1Ch 25:31 The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

1 Chronicles 24

1Ch 24:1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar - these were the immediate sons of Aaron; but the division or distribution of them into classes are of their posterity in the times of David, who descended from the two latter. These are the arrangements of the priests for the performance of the service in the sanctuary; the priestly families descended from Aaron's sons Eleazar and Ithamar being divided into twenty-four classes, the order of whose service was settled by lot.

1Ch 24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

Nadab and Abihu died before their father - That is, during his lifetime.

Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office - These two served the office during the life of their father Aaron; after his death Eleazar succeeded in the high priesthood. And under Eli the high priest, the family of Ithamar re-entered into that office.

1Ch 24:3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.

Ahimelech - Ahimelech is put here for Abiathar, who was high priest in the days of David. Abiathar had also the name of Ahimelech, as well as his father.

Zadok and Ahimelech - these were the two principal men of the respective families, the one was high priest, and the other "sagan" or deputy; or they both officiated as high priests alternately, until the one was removed in Solomon's time, and the other established alone. And now their brethren the priests, who were under each of these, are the persons David divided into classes:

Distributed - Allotting to each of them several times, wherein they should by turns have the government of holy ministrations.

1Ch 24:4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

1Ch 24:5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

One sort with another - Both houses had furnished functionaries of the highest class, and therefore no preference was now given to either over the other.

They divided by lot - That the disposal thereof might be of the Lord, and so all contention be prevented, as no man could be charged with partiality, nor could any say, they had wrong done them. This prevented jealousies: for, as all the families were equally noble, they had equal right to all ecclesiastical and civil distinctions.

for the governors of the sanctuary - or of the holy things, or who presided in things ecclesiastical:

governors of the house of God - or rather "governors of God", appointed by him judges in civil things:

1Ch 24:6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.

Wrote them before the king - wrote down their names as the lots were drawn forth. The lot determined also the order of the priests’ service. That of the Levites was afterwards distributed by the same arrangement.

before the king, and the princes - The lot was cast in a deliberate and solemn manner in presence of the king, the princes, the two high priests, and the chiefs of the priestly and Levitical families. In this public manner, before such great personages, and in the presence of those that were interested in the affair, that it might appear plainly no fraudulent methods were taken.

1Ch 24:7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib - And the other twenty three in the order listed. Of all listed, we know little more than their names0

1Ch 24:8 The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

1Ch 24:9 The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

1Ch 24:10 The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

Abijah - As Luke mentions the course of Abijah, it is evident that these courses of the priests, established by David, no doubt under Divine direction, were continued, with some alterations, till the days of Christ. These records must therefore have been very useful after the Babylonian captivity. Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah. And his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

1Ch 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

1Ch 24:12 The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

1Ch 24:13 The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

1Ch 24:14 The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

1Ch 24:15 The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,

1Ch 24:16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

1Ch 24:17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

1Ch 24:18 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

1Ch 24:19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

These were the orderings - this was the numerical order fixed for their ministerial attendance in the house of the Lord.

under Aaron their father - that is, him who was high priest for the time being; who bore this name because his successor and representative, under whose inspection, direction, and authority, all the rest of the priests were, and whom they were to obey in all things:

under Aaron their father - Under the direction of the high priests, whom he calls Aaron, because he represented his person and executed his office, and their father, because of the authority which by God's appointment he had over them.

1Ch 24:20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

The classes of the Levites - a catalogue of these classes of Levites, which performed the service in the house of as assistants to the priests are the Levites still remaining after the enumeration of the priests. This passage treats only of the classes of the Levites who were employed about the worship.

1Ch 24:21 Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

Of the father's-house Rehabiah - connected with Eliezer the second son of Moses (1Ch_23:16); of the sons of this Rehabiah, Isshiah was the head.

1Ch 24:22 Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.

1Ch 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

1Ch 24:24 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.

1Ch 24:25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.

1Ch 24:26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.

The sons of Jaaziah, Beno - Beno is not really a name. It is the Hebrew for “his son,” and is to be attached to Jaaziah. Translate 1Ch_24:27, “and the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son (were) Shoham and Zaccur, and Ibri.” The meaning of the whole passage 1Ch_24:26-30 seems to be that there were three branches of the Merarites the Beni-Mahli, the Beni-Mushi, and the Beni-Jaaziah.

The sons of Merari - It is remarkable that not a word is here spoken of the family of Gershom.

1Ch 24:27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.

1Ch 24:28 Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.

1Ch 24:29 Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.

1Ch 24:30 The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.

1Ch 24:31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren - the sense is, either that the one stood over against the other, to be distributed by lot, the one as well as the other; or they were chosen by lot, let it fall as it would, without any regard to age or dignity, to the seniority or largeness of houses and families; but as they were chosen, be they younger or elder, richer or poorer, their families more or less numerous and ancient, so they took their places.

1 Chronicles 23

1Ch 23:1 So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

he made Solomon his son king over Israel — This brief statement, which comprises the substance of 1Ki_1:32-48, is made here solely to introduce an account of the preparations carried on by David during the latter years of his life for providing a national place of worship.

David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, settles the method of the temple service, and orders the officers of it.

1Ch 23:2 And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.

he gathered together all the princes of Israel — All important measures relating to the public interest were submitted for consideration to a general assembly of the representatives of the tribes. To declare God's mind and his own will, that Solomon should be his successor: and to acquaint them with those directions which he had received from God by the spirit.

1Ch 23:3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upwards - This statement agrees with that in Num_4:3 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years, all that enter into the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. Num_4:23 From thirty years old and upward to fifty years old you shall number them, all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. Num_4:30 You shall number them from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who enters into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. Num_4:39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone that enters into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, where Moses caused those from thirty to fifty years of age to be numbered, and appointed them for service about the tabernacle during the journey through the wilderness. But the Lord at a later time, to Moses, determined that their period of service should be from twenty-five to fifty; Num_8:23-25 And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, This is that which pertains to the Levites. From twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. And from the age of fifty years they shall stop waiting upon the service, and shall serve no more. It is not likely that David confined the numbering to those of thirty and upwards. Besides that, there is the distinct statement in 1Ch_23:24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers, the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their heads, the ones who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward. that they were numbered from twenty years of age, the change being grounded by David upon the nature of their service; and that this was the proper age is confirmed by 2Ch_31:17 both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, and their charges by their divisions, and Ezr_3:8 And in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all they who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began. And they chose the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD. according to which the Levites under Hezekiah, and afterwards, had to take part in the service from their twentieth year.

Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years - So they were numbered in the days of Moses, and by his order, and so they were now at first; though afterwards there was a new reckoning of them, 1Ch_23:24.

thirty and eight thousand - which vastly exceeds the number in the times of Moses; Num_4:47, but then those above fifty years of age were not numbered, as they now might; since their work in the temple would be much more easy, no burdens to carry, as the ark, the vessels.

Upwards - Not only 'till fifty, as it was appointed, Num_4:2-3, but even 'till their death: for that was but a temporary law grounded upon a special reason, because the Levites were employed in carrying the tabernacle and sacred vessels from place to place; and therefore God would have them freed from those burdens when they came to feel the infirmities of age: which reason wholly ceasing upon the building of the temple, their work being far easier than it had been, and their service being more a privilege than a burden, their time of service is justly prolonged

1Ch 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:

to set forward the work of the house of the Lord - To prepare for the work of the priests by slaying the sacrifices, flaying them, cutting them in pieces, and washing them, and bringing them to the altar; 1000 of these served weekly in their turns: This business is in 1Ch_23:28-32 more defined, and embraces all the business that was to be carried on about the sanctuary, except the specifically priestly functions, the keeping of the doors, and the performance of the sacred music. For these two latter offices special sections were appointed, 4000 for the porters' services, and the same number for the sacred music (1Ch_23:5).

six thousand were officers and judges - that acted as justices of the peace in the several parts of the country, heard causes and administered justice to the people, being trained up in and acquainted with the laws of God, civil as well as ecclesiastic; some were more properly judges, and others executioners of their sentence; Deu_16:18 You shall appoint judges and officers for yourself in all your gates which the LORD your God gives you, tribe by tribe. And they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.

1Ch 23:5 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

Four thousand praised the Lord - David made this distribution according to his own judgment, and from the dictates of his piety; but it does not appear that he had any positive Divine authority for such arrangements. As to the instruments of music which he made they are condemned elsewhere; Amos 6:5 who chant with the mouth of the harp; they invent instruments of music for themselves, like David;

Moreover four thousand were porters - At the east, north, and south gates of the temple, in their turns:

1Ch 23:6 And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

The tribe of Levi had been divided from ancient times into the three great families of Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, corresponding to the three sons of Levi; From 1Ch_23:7 onwards we have an enumeration of the fathers'-houses into which these three families were divided: 1Ch_23:7-11, the fathers'-houses of the Gershonites; 1Ch_23:12-20, those of the Kohathites; and 1Ch_23:21-23, those of the Merarites.

1Ch 23:7 Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.

Of the Gershonites were Laadan and Shimei - These two were the immediate posterity of Gershon; are the same with Libni and Shimhi, and heads of families, Exo_6:17 The sons of Gershon: Libni, and Shimei, by their families. They had nine fathers’ houses, six descended from Laadan, and three from Shimei.

The fathers'-houses of the Gershonites - these were heads of groups of related families, since, according to 1Ch_23:9, their sons and descendants formed six fathers'-houses. According to the natural development of the people of Israel, the twelve sons of Jacob founded the twelve tribes of Israel; his grandsons, or the sons of the twelve patriarchs, founded the families; and their sons, i.e., the great-grandsons of Jacob, founded the fathers'-houses. But this natural division or ramification of the people into tribes, families, and fathers'-houses (groups of related households), was not consistently carried out. Among the Levites, the fathers'-houses were founded not by the grandsons, but by the great-grandsons of the patriarch.

1Ch 23:8 The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

The sons of Laadan - Not his immediate sons, but some that descended from him.

1Ch 23:9 The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.

The sons of Shimei - Not him that was the son of Gershon, but a descendant of Laadan, his son:

1Ch 23:10 And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.

1Ch 23:11 And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house.

1Ch 23:12 The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.

1Ch 23:13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

that he should sanctify the most holy things - That he might keep them from pollution: for these most holy things were polluted when they were touched by any other person.

to burn incense before the Lord - in the holy place, on the altar of incense; which none but priests descended from Aaron might do:

to minister unto him - both at the altar of burnt offering and of incense; and the high priest in the holy of holies:

to bless his name for ever - or "in his name"; that is, the people in his name; Num_6:23-27 Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying, In this way you shall bless the sons of Israel, saying to them, The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His face to you and give you peace. And they shall put My name upon the sons of Israel. And I, I will bless them.

1Ch 23:14 Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.

Now concerning Moses the man of God - Raised up by him as a prophet, admitted to great familiarity with him, a lawgiver from him, and the ruler and guide of Israel under him through the wilderness:

his sons were named of the tribe of Levi - His sons were ranked with the Levites generally, but not introduced into the distinctive portion of the descendants of Levi, who were appointed to the special functions of the priesthood. This was mentioned for the honor of Moses, and the demonstration of his eminent piety and self - denial, who willingly left the government to Joshua, and the priesthood to Aaron, and was content to have his posterity reduced to a private and mean condition.

1Ch 23:15 The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.

1Ch 23:16 Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.

1Ch 23:17 And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

1Ch 23:18 Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.

Of the sons of Izhar - Only one son of Jizhar, the brother of Amram, is mentioned, Shelomith as head, after whom the Jizharite father's-house is named.

1Ch 23:19 Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

Of the sons of Hebron - Amram's next brother Hebron had four sons, and the youngest brother Uzziel two, who founded fathers'-houses; so that, besides the priests, nine Levitical fathers'-houses are descended from Kohath, and their chiefs who served in the sanctuary are enumerated in 1Ch_24:20-25.

1Ch 23:20 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah the first, and Jesiah the second.

1Ch 23:21 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

Summing them together, Gershon founded nine fathers houses, Kohath nine, and Merari six: total, twenty-four.

The sons of Merari - two sons of Merari are mentioned-Mahli and Mushi-who founded the two families of Merari which existed in the time of Moses. Mahli had two sons, Eleazar and Kish; the first of whom, however, left behind him at his death only daughters, who were married to the sons of Kish (i.e., their cousins), according to the law as to daughters who were heiresses (Num_26:6-9). The descendants of Mahli, therefore, were comprehended in the one father's-house of Kish, whose head at that time (1Ch_24:29) was Jerahmeel.

1Ch 23:22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.

Their brethren the sons of Kish took them - This was according to the law made Num_27:1, etc., and Num_36:5-9, in favor of the daughters of Zelophehad, that women who were heiresses should marry in the family of the tribe of their father, and that their estates should not be alienated from them.

1Ch 23:23 The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

1Ch 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.

From the age of twenty years - The Levites had hitherto not entered upon their regular functions until the age of thirty 1Ch_23:3. Certain lighter duties were by the Law imposed on them at the age of twenty-five Num_8:24; but it was not until they were five years older that they became liable to the full service of the sanctuary. David appears now to have made a change. By his “last words” 1Ch_23:27 the time for the Levites to enter on the full duties of their office was advanced from thirty to twenty years. This change was based upon the lighter character of the labors imposed on them now that the ark had ceased to be carried from place to place and obtained a permanent habitation 1Ch_23:26. The limit of age continued in after times where David had fixed it (Ezr_3:8).

Twenty years and upward - At first he appointed the Levites to serve from thirty years and upward; now from twenty years. These were David’s last orders. They should begin at an earlier age, and continue later. This was not a very painful task; the ark being now fixed, and the Levites very numerous, there could be no drudgery. Besides the people of Israel were multiplied: therefore more hands were necessary, that every Israelite who brought an offering, might find a Levite ready to assist him.

As they were counted by the names by their polls – according to their heads, one by one

1Ch 23:25 For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:

that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever - where the temple would always continue, and not be removed, as the ark and tabernacle had been, and where all Israel would appear three times in the year continually.

1Ch 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

they shall no more carry the tabernacle - on their shoulders, from place to place, as they had done:

1Ch 23:27 For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:

For by the last words of David - Or therefore by the last orders he gave before his death:

1Ch 23:28 Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

1Ch 23:29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

Both for the shewbread - Also to make and get that ready every week for the priests to set on the shewbread table. It was the priests’ office to place this bread before the Lord, and it was their privilege to feed on the old loaves when they were replaced by the new.

For all manner of measure and size - The standards of all weights and measures were kept at the sanctuary, the several parts of them for things both liquid and dry, which were in their keeping, and according to which they gave out the proper quantity of oil, and wine, and fine flour, upon occasion.

For all manner of measure and size - The standards of all weights and measures were in the sanctuary; and therefore the Levites had the inspection of weights and measures of every kind, that no fraud might in this way be committed.

1Ch 23:30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

To stand every morning - At the offering of the morning and evening sacrifice, they sounded their musical instruments, and sang praises to God. The office of others of them was to sing the praises of God, both vocally and with instruments of music.

To stand every morning - These words refer to the duties of the singers and musicians, whose classes and orders are enumerated in 1 Chron 25.

1Ch 23:31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:

And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord - Though the Levites were not allowed by themselves to offer sacrifice, yet there were many respects in which they assisted the priests when sacrifice was offered. It was the duty of the Levites to procure the necessary number of beasts for sacrifice, to see to their suitableness, to slaughter and skin them, etc.

in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts - besides the daily sacrifices, there were additional offerings at those times:

1Ch 23:32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

The charge of the sons of Aaron - It was the priests’ business to kill, flay, and dress, as well as to offer, the victims, but being few, they were obliged to employ the Levites to flay those animals. The Levites were, properly speaking, servants to the priests, and were employed about the more servile part of Divine worship.

they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation - That no unclean persons entered into it, and that none of the vessels were carried out of it; this was the business of the porters:

the charge of the holy place - of things that belonged unto it, the vessels in it, and what was requisite for it, and used there.

In conclusion, the whole duties of the Levites are summed up in three clauses: they were to keep the charge of the tabernacle, the charge of the sacred things, i.e., of all the sacred things of the worship, and the charge of the sons of Aaron, i.e., of all that the priests committed to them to be done.