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.
