I
C H R O N I C L E S
CHAP. IX.
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.
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Genealogies;
the Employment of the Priests.
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B.
C. 1400.
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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 LORD,
were keepers of the entry. 20 And Phinehas the son of
Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD
was with him. 21 And Zechariah the son 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 LORD,
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.
Contents
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