28 Because 13 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; 29 Both for the show-bread, and for the fine flour for meat-offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the 14 pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of h measure and size; 12 Heb. numbers. 13 Heb. their station was at the hand of the sons of Aaron, Neh. xi. 24.- d Exod. xxv, 30.- Levit. vi. 20; Chap. ix. 29, &c. thought to have been the effect of youthful heat, presumption, and rashness, but when he was come to the greatest maturity, when he was old and near his death, and going to give up his account to his Lord and Maker of all his actions, and particularly of the alterations which he made in the service of God, which he declared was done by the Spirit of God. These were, in a manner, his dying words, which usually make the deepest impression. Verse 28. In the purifying of holy things-Holy places, and garments, and vessels, and sacrifices, which were to be washed and cleansed from any filthiness that might cleave to them. Verse 29. For all manner of measure-All measures used either in sacred or civil things, the public standards whereof were kept in the temple; and sons of Aaron B. C. 1015. 30 And to stand every morning to A. M. 2989. thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; 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: 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. therefore the care of keeping them inviolable, and producing them upon occasion, must needs belong to the priests, and under them to the Levites, who were to examine other measures, and all things by them, as occasion required, that so the priests might be at leisure for their higher and greater employments. Verses 30-32. To stand every morning, &c., and at evening-The two solemn times of offering sacrifices: which work was attended with public prayer and thanksgiving. According to the order commanded unto them continually―That is, unto those persons, the Levites, of whom he speaks. The charge of the sons of Aaron-That is, what the priests should commit to their charge, or command [[ them to do. CHAPTER XXIV. The priests are divided by lot into twenty-four orders, 1–19. Ministers are allotted them from the Levites, out of the tribes of the Kohathites and the Merarites, 20-31. A. M. 2989. NOW these are the divisions of and Ithamar executed the priest's A. M. 199 C. 1015. the sons of Aaron. a The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar a Lev. x. 1,6; Num. xxvi. 60. B. C. 1015. office. 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. b Num. iii. 4; xxvi. 61. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIV. sons were the only persons to whom the execution Verses 1, 2. These are the divisions of the sons of that office could be committed according to the law. of Aaron-The several branches into which that Verse 3. And David distributed them, &c.-To family was divided. Therefore Eleazar and Itha-avoid all confusion, now that they were much inmar executed the priest's office-Their brethren being dead, and leaving no issue, they and their creased, he distributed the priests, as he had done the Levites, into several courses, allotting to each A. M. 2989. 4 And there were more chief men 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. 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. are divided by lot. B. C. 1015. 10 The seventh to Hakkoz, the A. M. 2989. eighth to Abijah, C 11 The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 The seventeenth to Hezer, the eighteenth to Aphses, 16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, 17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul, 18 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. 19 These were the orderings of them in their 7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, service to come into the house of the LORD, the second to Jedaiah, 8 The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 1 Heb. house of the father. of them the times wherein they should by turns Verse 5. Thus were they divided by lot-That according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. c Neh. xii. 4, 17; Luke i. 5.—d Chap. ix. 25. to God, but governors in the commonwealth, chiefs, or judges. Were of the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar-These two families had obtained the chief functions, both in the temple and in the magistracy; which could not be distributed so well any way as by lot, without danger of envy among themselves. Verse 6. Shemaiah, the scribe, wrote them before the king-Their names were written and put into an urn, out of which the lots were to be drawn: which, that there might be no suspicion of fraud, were drawn before the king, the princes, the highpriest and his assistant, and before the several families of priests and Levites. One principal household being taken for Eleazar, &c.-That is, one of the principal families of Eleazar was first taken, and then one of Ithamar's, and thus alternately, till all the families of Ithamar had received their lot. And afterward all the lots came forth to the rest of Eleazar's families, which were double in number to those of Ithamar. Verse 19. These were the orderings of them--In this order and method they were to come to perform the offices of the temple. To come into the house-To come into the temple every sabbath day, and to continue there till the next sabbath, when they were relieved by others. Under Aaron-Under the direction of the high-priest, whom he calls Aaron, because he represented Aaron's person, and executed his office; and their father-Because of the authority which, by God's appointment, he had over them. 25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah. and the chief of the fathers of the priests and 26 The sons of Merari were Mahli, and Levites, even the principal fathers over against Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno. • Chap. xxiii. 16, Shebuel. —f Chap. xxiii. 17.— Chap. xxiii. 18, Shelomith. their younger brethren. i Exod. vi. 19; Chap. xxiii. 21. Chap. xxiii. 23. h Chap. xxiii. 19; xxvi. 31.Chap. xxiii. 22.Verse 20. The rest of the sons of Levi-Either was in that of the priests, by casting lots; whereby such as were only Levites, and not priests, or such they knew what Levites should wait in every course as were not named or numbered before, in this or with the sons of Aaron. Even the principal fathers the former chapter. The sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah || over against their younger brethren-These words -Who being, as it seems, an eminent person, or are somewhat obscure, but the meaning, says Bishop having a very numerous family, was not reckoned Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their with or under his father's family, but was accounted places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who as a distinct head of another family. were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less: and they were to take their courses as they fell either to the elder or the younger family. Verse 31. These likewise cast lots-There was the like solemnity used in their distribution as there CHAPTER XXV. The persons that were to be employed in singing, 1-7. The order in which they were to attend, determined by lot, 8–31. a Chap. vi. 33, 39, 44. Verse 1. And captains-All the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites, whom David gathered together (chap. xxiii. 2) for this very end, that, with their approbation and consent, all these things might be established, who are here fitly called the captains of the host; for the princes were, under David, the chief captains of the militia of the kingdom; and as the Levites are called a host, and the Lord's host, because of their number and order in holy ministra tions, so these priests and Levites were the captains and governors of the rest. Separated-Distributed them into their several ranks: which, though chiefly done by David as a prophet, and by divine direction, yet is imputed in part to the captains of the host, because it was done with their concurrence and approbation. The service-To the service of God, under the conduct of these persons. Who should prophesy-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. The number of the workmen according to their service-Although this sacred work of praising God is here termed service, and the persons employed in it workmen, yet it is the greatest liberty and pleasure to be engaged in it. But the expres sions intimate that it is our duty to make a business of it, and stir up all that is within us to it; and that in our present state of corruption and infirmity, will not be done, as it should be done, without labour The number and offices of B. C. 1015. B. C. 1015. A. M. 2989. and Nethaniah, and 1Asarelah, the|| that were instructed in the songs of A. M. 2989. sons of Asaph under the hands of the LORD, even all that were cunning, Asaph, which prophesied according to the order was two hundred fourscore and eight. of the king. 5 4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: 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. 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. 8 с 8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar. 9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who, with his brethren and sons, were twelve: 10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 11 The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 12 The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 13 The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 14 The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his 7 So the number of them, with their brethren brethren, were twelve: Otherwise called Jesharelah, Verse 14.- Heb. by the hands of the king, Verse 6.3 Or, Izri, Verse 11.- - With Shimei, mentioned Verse 17. and struggle. We must take pains with our hearts to bring and keep them to this work, and to engage ali that is within us in it. It is probable, Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthun were bred up under Samuel, and had their education in the schools of the prophets, of which he was the founder and president. Then they were pupils, now they come to be masters. Those that would be eminent must begin early and take time to prepare themselves. This good work, of singing God's praises, Samuel revived and set on foot, but lived not to see it brought to the perfection in which it appears here. Solomon perfects what David began. So David perfects what Samuel began. Let each in their day do what they can for God and his church, though they cannot carry it so far as they would; when they are gone, God can out of stones raise up others, who shall build upon their foundation, and bring forth the top-stone. Verses 2, 3. Under the hands of Asaph-Under his oversight and direction. According to the order of the king-In such manner and order as David appointed. The sons of Jeduthun, six-Jeduthun, their father, being included in that number; or Shi mei, mentioned verse 17. Verse 5. The king's seer-Or prophet. Either he was a prophet as well as a singer; or he is thus called because he prophesied, or praised God, in the sense designed verse 1. And he is called the king's 5 Or, Azareel, Verse 18.- - Or, Shubael, Verse 20.- - Or, matters.- b Verse 2.8 Hebrew, by the hands of the king. c2 Chron. xxiii. 13. seer, because the king took special delight in him; or because he frequently attended the king in his palace, executing his sacred office there, while the rest were employed in the tabernacle. In the words of God-To sing such divine songs as were inspired by God to the prophets or holy men of God. To lift up the horn-To praise God with the sound of a trumpet, or some other musical instrument made of horn, which, being a martial kind of music, might be most grateful to David's martial spirit: though he was also skilled in other instruments of music which he used in the house of God. Verse 7. All that were cunning-Who were so skilful that they were able to teach others; and, together with their scholars, made up the four thousand mentioned chap. xxiii. 5. Verse 8. Ward against ward-A course of Levites answerable to one of the priests, upon whom the Levites were to wait in their holy ministrations, chap. xxiii. 28. As well the teacher as the scholar Without any respect to their different ages or abilities. Verse 9. To Joseph-For the family of Asaph, of which Joseph was. Here that clause, 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 verse 7. The divisions A. M. 2989. I. CHRONICLES. 18 The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 23 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: of the porters. B. C. 1015. 25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his A. M. 2999. sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 28 The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren were twelve: 29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 30 The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: 24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his 31 The four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, sons, and his brethren, were twelve: he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve. CHAPTER XXVI. The Levites that were appointed to be porters, 1-19. Those that were appointed to be treasurers and store-keepers, 20–28. Those that were officers and judges in the country, 29–32. B. C. 1015. A. M. 2999. CONCERNING the divisions of || 2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, for they were mighty men of valour. A. M. 2099. B. C. 1015. 7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah. 8 All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eli- of Obed-edom. oenai the seventh. 4 Moreover the sons of Obed-edom were, She- || maiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth for God blessed him. 6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: 9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen. 10 Also a 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;) 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen. 'Or, Shelemaiah, Ver. 14.- -2 Or, Ebaiasaph, Chap. vi. 37; ix. 19.- - That is, Obed-edom, Chap. xiii. 14. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVI. Verse 5. For God blessed him-With a numerous posterity, and other blessings, for his respect and affection to the ark. The increase and building up of families are owing to the divine blessing. And a great blessing it is to have many children when they are like these, eminent in the service of God. Chap. xvi. 38. quired twenty men to open and shut it. They were also to keep the guard, to keep out all unclean or forbidden persons, to prevent or suppress any tumults or disorders which might happen in the temple or in its courts, to keep the treasures of the temple, (verses 20, 22, 24, 26,) to be officers and judges over Israel, (verse 29,) and to manage every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king, verse 32. Verse 6. They were mighty men of valour-This clause is divers times mentioned, because their office required both strength and courage: for they were to shut the doors of the temple, one whereof was so great and weighty that in the second temple it re-than his elder brother. Verse 10. His father made him the chief-Not in inheriting the estate, (this was forbidden by the law,) but in this service, for which he was better qualified |