N
E H E M I A H
CHAP. XI.
Jerusalem
was walled round, but it was not as yet fully
inhabited, and therefore was weak and despicable. Nehemiah's next care is to
bring people into it; of that we have here an account. I. The methods taken to
replenish it, ver. 1, 2. II. The principal persons that resided there, of
Judah and Benjamin (ver. 3-9), of the priests and Levites, ver. 10-19. III.
The several cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin that were peopled by the
rest of their families, ver. 20-36.
|
The Re-peopling of Jerusalem.
|
B.
C. 444.
|
|
|
1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to
bring one of ten to dwell in
Jerusalem
the holy city, and nine parts to dwell
in other cities. 2 And the people blessed all the men, that
willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the chief
of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of
Judah
dwelt every one in his possession in their
cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the
Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants. 4 And at Jerusalem
dwelt certain of the children of
Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the
children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of
Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of
Perez; 5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the
son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah,
the son of Shiloni. 6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at
Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the
son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the
son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai,
nine hundred twenty and eight. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was
their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the
city. 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son
of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of
God. 12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were
eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of
Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of
Malchiah, 13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred
forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of
Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 And their brethren, mighty men
of valour, a hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel,
the son of one of the great men. 15 Also of the Levites:
Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son
of Bunni; 16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the
Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of
God. 17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son
of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and
Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son
of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18 All the Levites in the holy city
were two hundred fourscore and four. 19 Moreover the
porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were a
hundred seventy and two.
Jerusalem is called here the holy city (v. 1), because there the
temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon
this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell
there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems
they declined dwelling there, 1. Because a greater strictness of conversation
was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they
were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves
are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New
Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city
here upon earth. Or, 2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by
the heathen their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were
levelled, which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually
is) and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of
persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps many
out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion,
not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special malice threatened and
insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special care protected by its God and
made a quiet habitation, Isa. xxxiii. 20; Ps. xlvi. 4, 5. Or, 3.
Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the country.
Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no money to be got
there by merchandise, as there was in the country by corn and cattle. Note, All
seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's, Phil. ii. 21. It
is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own wealth,
credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and the public
good. People being thus backward to dwell at Jerusalem, now that it was poor,
we are here told,
I. By what means it was replenished. 1. The rulers dwelt there, v. 1.
That was the proper place for them to reside in, because there were set the
thrones of judgment (Ps. cxxii. 5), and thither, in all difficult matters,
the people resorted with their last appeals. And if it were an instance of
eminent affection to the house of God, zeal for the public good, and of faith,
and holy courage, and self-denial, to dwell there at this time, the rulers
would be examples of these to their inferiors. Their dwelling there would
invite and encourage others to dwell there too. Magnates magnetes--the
mighty are magnetic. When great men choose the holy city for their
habitation their example brings holiness into reputation, and their zeal will
provoke very many. 2. There were some that willingly offered themselves to
dwell at Jerusalem, nobly foregoing their own secular interest for the public
welfare, v. 2. It is upon record, to their honour, that when others
were shy of venturing upon difficulty, loss, and danger, they sought the
good of Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord their God. Those shall
prosper that thus love Zion, Ps. cxxii. 6, 9. It is said, The people
blessed them. They praised them; they prayed for them; they praised God
for them. Many that do not appear forward themselves for the public good will
yet give a good word to those that do. God and man will bless those that are
public blessings, which should encourage us to be zealous in doing good. 3.
They, finding that yet there was room, concluded upon a review of their
whole body to bring one in ten to dwell in Jerusalem; who they should be was
determined by lot, the disposal whereof, all knew, was of the Lord. This would
prevent strife, and would be a great satisfaction to those on whom the lot
fell to dwell at Jerusalem, that they plainly saw God appointing the bounds of
their habitation. They observed the proportion of one in ten, as we may
suppose, to bring the balance between the city and country to a just and equal
poise; so it seems to refer to the ancient rule of giving the tenth to God;
and what is given to the holy city he reckons given to himself.
II. By what persons it was replenished. A general account is here given of the
inhabitants of Jerusalem because the governors of Judah looked upon
them as their strength in the Lord of hosts their God, and valued them
accordingly, Zech. xii. 5. 1. Many of the children of Judah and Benjamin dwelt
there; for, originally, part of the city law in the lot of one of those tribes
and part in that of the other; but the greater part was in the lot of
Benjamin, and therefore here we find of the children of Judah only 468
families in Jerusalem (v. 6), but of Benjamin 928, v. 7, 8. Thus
small were its beginnings, but afterwards, before our Saviour's time, it grew
much more populous. Those of Judah all descended from Perez, or Pharez, that
son of Judah of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. And, though the
Benjamites were more in number, yet of the men of Judah it is said (v.
6) that they were valiant men, fit for service, and able to defend the city in
case of an attack. Judah has not lost its ancient character of a lion's whelp,
bold and daring. Of the Benjamites that dwelt in Jerusalem we are here told
who was overseer, and who was second, v. 9. For it is as
necessary for a people to have good order kept up among themselves as to be
fortified against the attacks of their enemies from abroad, to have good
magistrates as to have good soldiers. 2. The priests and Levites did many of
them settle at Jerusalem; where else should men that were holy to God dwell,
but in the holy city? (1.) Most of the priests, we may suppose, dwelt there,
for their business lay where the temple was. Of those that did the work of the
house in their courses here were 822 of one family, 242 of another, and 128 of
another, v. 12-14. It was well that those labourers were not few. It is
said of some of them that they were mighty men of valour (v.
14); it was necessary that they should be so, for the priesthood was not only
a work, which required might, but a warfare, which required valour, especially
now. Of one of these priests it is said that he was the son of one of the
great men. It was no disparagement to the greatest man they had to have
his son in the priesthood; he might magnify his office, for his office did not
in the least diminish him. (2.) Some of the Levites also came and dwelt at
Jerusalem, yet but few in comparison, 284 in all (v. 18), with 172
porters (v. 19), for much of their work was to teach the good
knowledge of God up and down the country, for which purpose they were to
be scattered in Israel. As many as there was occasion for attended at
Jerusalem; the rest were doing good elsewhere. [1.] It is said of one of the
Levites that he had the oversight of the outward business of the house of
God, v. 16. The priests were chief managers of the business within
the temple gates; but this Levite was entrusted with the secular concerns of
God's house, that were in ordine ad spiritualia--subservient to its
spiritual concerns, the collecting of the contributions, the providing of
materials for the temple service, and the like, which it was necessary to
oversee, else the inward business would have been starved and have stood
still. Those who take care of the ta exw--the
outward concerns of the church, the serving of its tables, are as
necessary in their place as those who take care of its ta
esw--its inward concerns, who give themselves
to the word and prayer. [2.] It is said of another that he was the
principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. Probably he had a good ear
and a good voice, and was a scientific singer, and therefore was chosen to
lead the psalm. He was precentor in the temple. Observe, Thanksgiving is
necessary in prayer; they should go together; giving thanks for former mercies
is a becoming way of begging further mercies. And care should be taken in
public service that every thing be done in the best manner, decently and in
good order-- in prayer, that one speak and the rest join--in singing, that
one begin and the rest follow.
|
The Distribution of the People.
|
B.
C. 444.
|
|
|
20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and
the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his
inheritance. 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and
Gispa were over the Nethinims. 22 The overseer also of the
Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah,
the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were
over the business of the house of God. 23 For it was the
king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the
singers, due for every day. 24 And Pethahiah the son of
Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the
king's hand in all matters concerning the people. 25 And for the
villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at
Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in
the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages
thereof, 26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
27 And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages
thereof, 28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages
thereof, 29 And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields
thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from
Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom. 31 The children also of
Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in
their villages, 32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36 And of the Levites were
divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
Having given an account of the principal persons that dwelt in Jerusalem (a
larger account of whom he had before, 1 Chron. ix. 2, &c.), Nehemiah, in
these verses, gives us some account of the other cities, in which dwelt the
residue of Israel, v. 20. It was requisite that Jerusalem should be
replenished, yet not so as to drain the country. The king himself is served
of the field, which will do little service if there be not hands to manage
it. Let there therefore be no strife, no envy, no contempt, no ill will,
between the inhabitants of the cities and those of the villages; both are
needful, both useful, and neither can be spared. 1. The Nethinims, the
posterity of the Gibeonites, dwelt in Ophel, which was upon the wall of
Jerusalem (ch. iii. 26), because they were to do the servile work of
the temple, which therefore they must be posted near to, that they might be
ready to attend, v. 21. 2. Though the Levites were dispersed through
the cities of Judah, yet they had an overseer who resided in Jerusalem,
superior of their order and their provincial, to whom they applied for
direction, who took care of their affairs and took cognizance of their
conduct, whether they did their duty, v. 22. 3. Some of the singers
were appointed to look after the necessary repairs of the temple, being
ingenious men, and having leisure between their hours of service; they were over
the business of the house of God, v. 22. And, it seems, the king of
Persia had such a kindness for their office that he allotted a particular
maintenance for them, besides what belonged to them as Levites, v. 23.
4. Here is one that was the king's commissioner at Jerusalem. He was of the
posterity of Zerah (v. 24); for of that family of Judah there
were some new settled in Jerusalem, and not all of Pharez, as appears by that
other catalogue, 1 Chron. ix. 6. He is said to be at the king's hand,
or on the king's part, in all matters concerning the people, to
determine controversies that arose between the king's officers and his
subjects, to see that what was due to the king from the people was duly paid
in and what was allowed by the king for the temple service was duly paid out,
and happy it was for the Jews that one of themselves was in this post. 5. Here
is an account of the villages, or country towns, which were inhabited by the
residue of Israel--the towns in which the children of Judah dwelt (v.
25-30), those that were inhabited by the children of Benjamin (v.
31-35), and divisions for the Levites among both, v. 36. We will now
suppose them safe and easy, though few and poor, but by the blessing of God
they were likely to increase in wealth and power, and they would have been
more likely if there had not been that general profaneness among them, and
lukewarmness in religion, with which they were charged in God's name by the
prophet Malachi, who, it is supposed, prophesied about this time, and in whom
prophecy ceased for some ages, till it revived in the great prophet and his
forerunner.
Contents
|
Next
Section
