1 Chronicles 9:1

WEB

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel: and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.

KJV

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

Commentary

This chapter intimates to us that one end of recording all these genealogies was to direct the Jews, now that they had returned out of captivity, with whom to incorporate and where to reside; for here we have an account of those who first took possession of Jerusalem after their return from Babylon, and began the rebuilding of it upon the old foundation. I. The Israelites, ver. 2-9 . II. The priests, ver. 10-13 . III. The Levites and other Nethinim, ver. 14-26 . IV. Here is the particular charge of some of the priests and Levites, ver. 27-34 . V. A repetition of the genealogy of king Saul, ver. 35-44 . 1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. 2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. 3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. 5 And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. 6 And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. 7 And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah, 8 And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers. 10 And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin, 11 And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; 12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God. The first verse looks back upon the foregoing genealogies, and tells us they were gathered out of the books of the kings of Israel and Judah, not that which we have in the canon of scripture, but another civil record, which was authentic, as the king's books with us. Mentioning Israel and Judah, the historian takes notice of their being carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Let that judgment never be forgotten, but ever be remembered, for warning to posterity to take heed of those sins that brought it upon them. Whenever we speak of any calamity that has befallen us, it is good to add this, "it was for my transgression," that God may be justified and clear when he judges. Then follows an account of the first inhabitants, after their return from captivity, that dwelt in their cities, especially in Jerusalem. 1. The Israelites. That general name is used ( v. 2 ) because with those of Judah and Benjamin there were many of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the other ten tribes ( v. 3 ), such as had escaped to Judah when the body of the ten tribes were carried captive or returned to Judah upon the revolutions in Assyria, and so went into captivity with them, or met them when they were in Babylon, associated with them, and so shared in the benefit of their enlargement. It was foretold that the children of Judah and of Israel should be gathered together and come up out of the land ( Hos. i. 11 ), and that they should be one nation again, Ezek. xxxvii. 22 . Trouble drives those together that have been at variance; and the pieces of metal that had been separated will run together again when melted in the same crucible. Many both of Judah and Israel staid behind in captivity; but some of both, whose spirit God stirred up, enquired the way to Zion again. Divers are here named, and many more numbered, who were chief of the fathers ( v. 9 ), who ought to be remembered with honour, as Israelites indeed. 2. The priests, v. 10 . It was their praise that they came with the first. Who should lead in a good work if the priests, the Lord's ministers, do not? It was the people's praise that they would not come without them; for who but the priests should keep knowledge? Who but the priests should bless them in the name of the Lord? (1.) It is said of one of them that he was the ruler of the house of God ( v. 11 ) not the chief ruler, for Joshua was then the high priest, but the sagan, and the next under him, his deputy, who perhaps applied more diligently to the business than the high priest himself. In the house of God it is requisite that there be rulers, not to make new laws, but to take care that the laws of God be duly observed by priests as well as people. (2.) It is said of many of them that they were very able men for the service of the house of God, v. 13 . In the house of God there is service to be done, constant service; and it is well for the church when those are employed in that service who are qualified for it, able ministers of the New Testament, 2 Cor. iii. 6 . The service of the temple was such as required at all times, especially in this critical juncture, when they had newly come out of Babylon, great courage and vigour of mind, as well as strength of body; and therefore they are praised as mighty men of valour. 14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. 17 And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; 18 Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi. 19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the L ORD , were keepers of the entry. 20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the L ORD was with him. 21 And Zechariah the s on of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22 All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. 23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the L ORD , namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards. 24 In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. 26 For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. 28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. 29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. 31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans. 32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath. 33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. 34 These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances. Both these considerations made them very zealous and forward in setting up the worship of God among them; so they began their worship of God at the right end. Instances hereof we have here. I. Before the house of the Lord was built they had the house of the tabernacle, a plain and movable tent, which they made use of in the mean time. Those that cannot yet reach to have a temple must not be without a tabernacle, but be thankful for that and make the best of it. Never let God's work be left undone for want of a place to do it in. II. In allotting to the priests and Levites their respective employments, they had an eye to the model that was drawn up by David, and Samuel the seer, v. 22 . Samuel, in his time, had drawn the scheme of it, and laid the foundation, though the ark was then in obscurity, and David afterwards finished it, and both acted by immediate direction from God. Or David, as soon as he was anointed had this matter in his mind and consulted Samuel about it, though he was then in his troubles, and the plan was formed in concert between them. This perhaps had been little regarded for many ages; but now, after a long interruption, it was revived. In dividing the work, they observed these ancient land-marks. III. The most of them dwelt at Jerusalem ( v. 34 ), yet there were some that dwelt in the villages ( v. 16, 22 ), because, it may be, there was not yet room for them in Jerusalem. However they were employed in the service of the tabernacle ( v. 25 ): They were to come after seven days from time to time. They had their week's attendance in their turns. IV. Many of the Levites were employed as porters at the gates of the house of God, four chief porters ( v. 26 ), and, under them, others, to the number of 212, v. 22 . They had the oversight of the gates ( v. 23 ), were keepers of the thresholds, as in the margin ( v. 19 ), and keepers of the entry. This seemed a mean office; and yet David would rather have it than dwell in the tents of wickedness, Ps. lxxxiv. 10 . Their office was, 1. To open the doors of God's house every morning ( v. 27 ) and shut them at night. 2. To keep off the unclean, and hinder those from thrusting in that were forbidden by the law. 3. To direct and introduce into the courts of the Lord those that came thither to worship, and to show them where to go and what to do, that they might not incur punishment. This required care, and diligence, and constant attendance. Ministers have work to do of this kind. V. Here is one Phinehas, a son of Eleazar, that is said to be a ruler over them in time past ( v. 20 ), not the famous high priest of that name, but (as is supposed) an eminent Levite, of whom it is here said that the Lord was with him, or (as the Chaldee reads it) the Word of the Lord was his helper --the eternal Word, who is Jehovah, the mighty one on whom help is laid. VI. It is said of some of them that, because the charge was upon them, they lodged round about the house of God, v. 27 . It is good for ministers to be near their work, that they may give themselves wholly to it. The Levites pitched about the tabernacle when they marched through the wilderness. Then they were porters in one sense, bearing the burdens of the sanctuary, now porters in another sense, attending the gates and the doors--in both instances keeping the charge of the sanctuary. VII. Every one knew his charge. Some were entrusted with the plate, the ministering vessels, to bring them in and out by tale, v. 28 . Others were appointed to prepare the fine flour, wine, oil, &c., v. 29 . Others, that were priests, made up the holy anointing oil, v. 30 . Others took care of the meat-offerings, v. 31 . Others of the show-bread, v. 32 . As in other great houses, so in God's house, the work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place and makes a business of it. God is the God of order: but that which is every body's work will be nobody's work. VIII. The singers were employed in that work day and night, v. 33 . They were the chief fathers of the Levites that made a business of it, not mean singing-men, that made a trade of it. They remained in the chambers of the temple, that they might closely and constantly attend it, and were therefore excused from all other services. It should seem, some companies were continually singing, at least at stated hours, both day and night. Thus was God continually praised, as it is fit he should be who is continually doing good. Thus devout people might, at any hour, have assistance in their devotion. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Rev. iv. 8 . Blessed are those that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee. 35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah: 36 And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, 37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. 39 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal: and Merib-baal begat Micah. 41 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza; 43 And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel. These verses are the very same with ch. viii. 29-38 , giving an account of the ancestors of Saul and the posterity of Jonathan. There it is the conclusion of the genealogy of Benjamin; here it is an introduction to the story of Saul. We take the repetition as we find it; but if we admit that there are in the originals, especially in these books, some errors of the transcribers, I should be tempted to think this repetition arose from a blunder. Some one, in copying out these genealogies, having written those words, v. 34 ( These dwelt in Jerusalem ), cast his eye on the same words, ch. viii. 28 . ( These dwelt in Jerusalem ), and so went on with what followed there, instead of going on with what followed here; and, when he perceived his mistake, was loth to make a blot in his book, and so let it stand. We have a rule in our law, Redundans non nocet -- Redundancies do no harm. INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 9 The genealogies of the several tribes being given, according as they were written in the books of the kings of Israel, 1Ch 9:1, an account follows of those who first settled in Jerusalem after their return from the Babylonish captivity; of the Israelites, 1Ch 9:2, of the priests, 1Ch 9:10 of the Levites, and of the charge and offices of several of the priests and Levites, 1Ch 9:14, and the chapter is concluded with a repetition of the genealogy of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel, 1Ch 9:35. Ver. 1. So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies,.... Not now by the writer of this book in the preceding chapters; for two of the tribes are not reckoned at all, and the rest but in part; but there had been kept an exact account of them: and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel; not in the canonical book or books of Kings, but in the annals, journals, and diaries, which each king took care to be kept with some exactness, often referred to in the preceding books; out of which this writer, under a divine direction, had taken what was proper to be continued, and had carried the genealogy down to the captivity of the ten tribes; but the genealogy being lost with them, he could proceed no further, nor say anything more concerning them: but Judah; for so the word should be stopped, and read according to the Hebrew accents: [who] were carried away to Babylon for their transgression; their idolatry, and were now returned again; of them the writer proposes to give a further account. 1 Chronicles 9:2 Ver. 2. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities,.... Who first returned from Babylon upon the proclamation of Cyrus, and enjoyed their former possessions, and dwelt in the cities they had before, or in such as were allotted them, or they chose: [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims; the whole body that returned were divided into four classes, as they had been before the captivity; the Israelites were the common people in general, the body politic; the priests, the ecclesiastics, who officiated in sacred things; the Levites, who ministered to them; and the Nethinims were such persons as were "given", as the word signifies, to do servile work for the sanctuary, as, to be hewers of wood and drawers of water; such were the Gibeonites, Jos 9:27, and such as were appointed by David for such work, see Ezr 8:20. 1 Chronicles 9:3 Ver. 3. And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin,.... Of which tribes were the largest number that went into, and returned out of, captivity: and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh; such of those tribes who had joined the others when Jeroboam introduced his idolatry, or had fled to them when Samaria was besieged and taken by Shalmaneser, and so went into captivity with Judah, and now returned; and as many of them as took the advantage of the proclamation of Cyrus, who were carried captive with the ten tribes. 1 Chronicles 9:4 Ver. 4. Uthai, the son of Ammihud,.... Called Athaiah, Ne 11:4 though his ancestors there are differently reckoned here; his genealogy here is traced from his father Ammihud, through Omri, Imri, Bani, Pharez, to Judah. 1 Chronicles 9:5 Ver. 5. And of the Shilonites,.... Not called so from the city of Shiloh, which was in Ephraim; whereas these here intended were of the tribe of Judah, and were either the descendants of a man whose name was Shiloni, Ne 11:5 or rather these are the same with the Shelanites, Nu 26:20 so called from Shelah the son of Judah; and so the Targum here is, "and of the tribe of Shelah:'' Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons; the same with Maaseiah, Ne 11:5. 1 Chronicles 9:6 Ver. 6. And of the sons of Zerah,.... Another son of Judah: Jeuel, and their brethren; six hundred and ninety; or their kinsmen; for this number includes all of the posterity of Pharez, Shelah and Zerah mentioned. 1 Chronicles 9:7 Ver. 7. And of the sons of Benjamin,.... Who were of the tribe of Benjamin, and went with Judah into captivity, and returned with them, and such of them as dwelt in Jerusalem before that: Sallu the son of Meshullam; whose pedigree is differently given, Ne 11:7, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenaah; perhaps these men had two names, there called Joel and Pedaiah. 1 Chronicles 9:8 Ver. 8. And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham,.... Who with two more, Elah and Meshullam, whose ancestors are given, of whom we have no mention elsewhere, were all of the tribe of Benjamin, said to settle at Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 9:9 Ver. 9. And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred amd fifty and six,.... Which was the number of the Benjaminites there resident put together, and which greatly exceeded that of Judah, 1Ch 9:6 all these men were chief of the fathers, in the house of their fathers; principal men in the families of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, even all the seven before mentioned. 1 Chronicles 9:10 Ver. 10. And of the priests,.... Who returned and dwelt at Jerusalem: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin; Jedaiah was the son of Jehoiarib, and Jachin is called Jachin, Ne 11:10. 1 Chronicles 9:11 Ver. 11. And Azariah the son of Hilkiah,.... That is, the son of Azariah, whose name was Seraiah, see 1Ch 6:13, whose pedigree is traced up from Hilkiah through Meshullam, called Shallum, 1Ch 6:12. Zadok, Meraioth, to Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; high priest in it; which is to be understood of Ahitub, and not of Azariah or Seraiah in the time of Ezra; for Joshua was then high priest. 1 Chronicles 9:12 Ver. 12. And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur,.... In this genealogy, between Jeroham and Pashur, were three more here omitted, Pelaliah, Amzi, Zechariah, Ne 11:12, and then Pashur the son of Malchijah, as here: and Maasiai the son of Adiel; whose pedigree is traced up from hence, through Jahzerah, Meshullam, Meshillemith, to Immer; one of the five heads of the courses settled by David, 1Ch 24:14. The names of this man, and of his ancestors, are given, with some variation, in Ne 11:13. 1 Chronicles 9:13 Ver. 13. And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, one thousand and seven hundred and threescore. These, with other priests, made up this number, which was greater than those of Judah and Benjamin, that dwelt in Jerusalem, put together: very able men for the work of the service of the house of God: men that had not only strength of body, which some part of the work of the priests required; but had courage and fortitude of mind to set about the service of God with cheerfulness, and to preserve it from corruption. 1 Chronicles 9:14 Ver. 14. And of the Levites,.... Having given an account of the two first classes of the people, the Israelites and priests, the author of the book now proceeds to the Levites, the third class; and the first mentioned is Shemaiah, whose ancestors, Hashub, Azrikam, and Hashabiah, [were] of the sons of Merari; the third son of Levi. 1 Chronicles 9:15 Ver. 15. And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah,.... Four more of the chief of the Levites, the pedigree of the last of which is traced up by Micah and Zichri to Asaph, the singer in the times of David, a descendant of Gershon, the first son of Levi; the first of these is thought by Hillerus {t} to be the same with Bakbukiah, Ne 11:17. {t} Onamastic. Sacr. p. 401, 548. 1 Chronicles 9:16 Ver. 16. And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah,.... Called Abda the son of Shammua, Ne 11:17 the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; who was Ethan, another of the singers in the time of David: and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites; the villages about Netophah, which was in the tribe of Judah, 1Ch 2:54, Ne 7:26 which may be understood either of Elkanah, the ancestor of Berechiah, whose dwelling was there; or of Berechiah, and must be rendered, who had dwelt there; for now he dwelt at Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 9:17 Ver. 17. And the porters,.... Or keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: were Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren; Shallum was the chief; of these four porters, and their brethren. 1 Chronicles 9:18 Ver. 18. Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward,.... At the gate through which the king went into the temple, and was at the east of it; and here these porters were placed in the same order after the captivity, and their return from it, as before: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi; or in the camp of Levi, which was placed around the tabernacle, as in the wilderness: the Septuagint version is, "these are the gates of the camp of the children of Levi"; at which these porters were placed. 1 Chronicles 9:19 Ver. 19. And Shallum the son of Kore,.... The same as in 1Ch 9:17 whose pedigree is traced up to Ebiasaph the son of Korah, see Ex 6:24 and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites; so called, because they descended from Korah: [were over] the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle; until the temple was built: and their fathers being over the host of the Lord; the Levites, who were the Lord's army, and whose service is represented as a warfare, Nu 4:5 [were] keepers of the entry; into the tabernacle, that none might enter that were impure; or into the court of the priests, excepting priests; or into the holiest of all, as Kimchi suggests. 1 Chronicles 9:20 Ver. 20. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past,.... Over the host, over the Levites, and the chief of them; which is to be understood of Phinehas the son of Eleazar, in the time of Moses, who succeeded his father in that post, see Nu 3:32 though some think, as Kimchi observes, that this was not Phinehas the priest, but a certain Levite of this name in this post; but since he is said to be in time past, it may very well be understood of him: and it also is observed, and the Lord was with him; inspiring him with zeal for his honour and glory, assisting and strengthening him to do his will and work, as particularly in the affair of Zimri, Nu 25:7, the Targum is, "the Word of the Lord was for his help;'' this may be said for the encouragement of him that was in the same office now. 1 Chronicles 9:21 Ver. 21. And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah,.... Some think this refers to one that was in the times of David; but it seems rather to respect one that was after the Babylonish captivity, see 1Ch 26:1 though he and his brethren were in an office established in the times of David, and the order of which was now, as then, observed: was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: who was the chief porter, and kept the door; either that led into the outer court, and kept out all unclean persons from entering there; or that which led into the court of the priests, that none but priests might enter there. 1 Chronicles 9:22 Ver. 22. All those that were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve,.... As fixed in the days of David, and might not be fewer: these were reckoned by their genealogies in their villages; where they dwelt: whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office; the scheme was first drawn by Samuel the prophet, and communicated to David, who put it into execution, to be constantly and perpetually observed. 1 Chronicles 9:23 Ver. 23. So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord,.... They that were appointed in David's time to watch the gates of the temple, their posterity succeeded them in that office; for it was hereditary: namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards; that which was at Gibeon in David's time, and now one was erected until the temple was built. 1 Chronicles 9:24 Ver. 24. In four quarters were the porters,.... For, according to the Targum on 1Ch 9:22 there were twenty four wards: towards the east, west, north, and south; and, as the same paraphrase has it, six wards to the east, six to the west, six to the north, and six to the south. 1 Chronicles 9:25 Ver. 25. And their brethren, which were in their villages,.... Assigned them to dwell in: were to come after seven days from time to time with them; there was a new course of them every week; the old ones went off of duty, and another course succeeded, which came out of the villages where they dwelt, and the old course retired to theirs. 1 Chronicles 9:26 Ver. 26. For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office,.... The four chief porters who were over all the two hundred and twelve, and had one over them, 1Ch 9:17, these were never changed, nor went into the country villages; but were always upon the spot, and in their office, superintending the rest: and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God; see 1Ch 26:20. 1 Chronicles 9:27 Ver. 27. And they lodged round about the house of God,.... In chambers on the outward wall about it, that they might be near to do their office: because the charge was upon them; to guard the house: and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them; that is, the opening of the doors of the mountain of the house, and the court of women; for as for others, that appertained to the priests, as Dr. Lightfoot {u} observes; under the second temple, it is said {w}, Ben Geber was over the shutting of the gates in the evening, and so of opening in the morning. {u} Temple-Service, c. 7. sect. 1. {w} Misn. Shekalim, c. 5. sect. 1. 1 Chronicles 9:28 Ver. 28. And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. Which the priests used in sacrificing, and which the Levites brought to them, and returned again to their proper places. 1 Chronicles 9:29 Ver. 29. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary,.... They were committed to their care; they delivered them out on occasion, and their business was to see that they were returned when they had done their use and service: and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices; which were used in meat offerings, drink offerings, &c. see 1Ch 26:20 under the second temple, Ahiah was over the libations or drink offerings {x}. {x} Ibid. (Misn. Shekalim, c. 5. sect. 1.) 1 Chronicles 9:30 Ver. 30. And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. For though the Levites had the care of the spices, they might not make the ointment with them, only the priests, see Ex 30:23. 1 Chronicles 9:31 Ver. 31. And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite,.... Of whom see 1Ch 9:19, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans; the meat offerings that were made in pans; and so had the care of the fine flour, oil, and frankincense used in them, which he delivered to the priests when necessary, see Le 2:5, the Septuagint version is, "over the works of the sacrifice of the pan of the high priest;'' as if it respected peculiarly his meat offering, Le 6:20, we read in the Misnah {y} of the offerings of the high priest, as expressed by this word, which it signifies, and not pans, but what was fried in them {z}; and Ben Melech on the place says, this man was an high priest who offered every day the tenth part of an ephah in a pan, half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening, according to Le 6:20, but that cannot be, for certain it is he was a Levite, as the text expresses it. {y} Menachot, c. 11. sect. 3. & Tamid, c. 1. sect. 3. {z} Vid. Sheringham. in Misn. Yoma, c. 2. sect. 3. p. 16. 1 Chronicles 9:32 Ver. 32. And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath,.... Twelve loaves of which were set every week before the ark upon the shewbread table, and the old ones taken away: now the work of these Levites was to make this shewbread, and get it ready every week to be set upon the table, and which was done not by them, but by priests; under the second temple, the family of Garmu was set over this work {a}. {a} Misn. Shekalim, ut supra. (c. 5. sect. 1.) 1 Chronicles 9:33 Ver. 33. And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites,.... Others of them were employed in singing, and were masters of the song, and presided in that service, see 1Ch 6:31 who remaining in the chambers were free; from all other work and service; and there they abode, even in the chambers of the temple, that they might be near to perform their work, and not be defiled, and made unfit for it: for they were employed in that work day and night; some or other of them, either in composing or singing psalms and hymns, or teaching others how to sing them. 1 Chronicles 9:34 Ver. 34. These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations,.... Even all before made mention of in this chapter: these dwelt at Jerusalem; always resided there, and did not in turns go into the country villages, as the inferior Levites did; their office requiring them to be constantly there, being chief of the porters, singers, &c. who had the superintendency and direction of the rest. 1 Chronicles 9:35 Ver. 35-44. And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon,.... Whose name is here mentioned, which is not in 1Ch 8:29. Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah; as there, but here called his sister, as a wife sometimes is, Ge 20:2. From hence to the end of the chapter is a repetition of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel; which is made to lead on to and connect the following history of the kings of Judah, begun in this book, and carried on in the next unto the Babylonish captivity, see 1Ch 8:29, and the notes there. 1 Chronicles 9:36 Ver. 36. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:37 Ver. 37. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:38 Ver. 38. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:39 Ver. 39. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:40 Ver. 40. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:41 Ver. 41. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:42 Ver. 42. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:43 Ver. 43. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". 1 Chronicles 9:44 Ver. 44. See Gill on "1Ch 9:35". John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.

Sources: Matthew Henry; Gill's Exposition